Business

BRCHS opens clinic in Spindale

By Bill Moss, Published: March 3, 2014

Blue Ridge Community Health Services has opened its new clinic in Spindale, offering medical and behavioral health services and a discount pharmacy. Plans are in the works to add dental services next year.

"The need for access to primary care services continues to grow in our region, particularly among vulnerable, underserved populations," Shannon Dowler, Chief Medical Officer at BRCHS, said in a news release. "We have positioned ourselves to be responsive to this critical need with this new site. This allows us to increase access to care for Rutherford County residents and live out our mission to provide quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to all."

The Rutherford Health Center is open five days a week and is accepting new patients. (Call 828-288-2881 to make an appointment.) Walk-in patient appointments are also accepted daily for both medical and behavioral health care.

Located at 187 South Main Street in Spindale, RHC takes over the clinical space previously used by the now-closed Rutherford Community Health Center.

RHC recently underwent the renovations necessary to operate as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), including upgrades to information technology and medical equipment. The Rutherford Health Center staff will include four medical providers, two licensed behavioral health counselors, clinical support personnel and a practice manager. While services will be focused on the residents of Rutherford County, the clinic is open to those seeking a medical home in neighboring counties as well.

Like other BRCHS locations, the clinic accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most major insurance plans. For those who are not insured, services are offered on a sliding fee discount, but no one is turned away because of an inability to pay. Medications are offered at a discount to RHC patients through the BRCHS 340B pharmacy program and effective April 1, will be housed down the street at Spindale Drug.