CareSource announces Wellness on Wheels, a new program to combat medical deserts in rural Georgia

SAVANNAH (May 22, 2023) – CareSource, a mission-driven Medicaid plan serving more than 500,000 Georgians, recently announced an innovative new program, Wellness on Wheels, that aims to close gaps in access to health care across the state by offering onsite medical care through partnerships with multiple mobile units. The WOW mobile units have been serving many areas throughout Georgia and will be in Savannah on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the grand re-opening of CareSource’s Savannah Community Resource Center.  

This new program is just one of many ways CareSource is working to decrease barriers to care in states with health care access challenges.

“Like many states across the country, Georgia is experiencing a severe shortage of medical professionals – especially primary care physicians, pediatricians and OBGYN’s” said Dr. Minh Nguyen, CareSource Georgia medical director. “Without access to medical care, health outcomes in these areas tend to be poor, including high maternal and infant death rates. We created CareSource WOW to help meet the needs of our members and families in these medical deserts by bringing medical and behavioral health providers to where they live, work or go to school.”

To implement this program state-wide, CareSource has partnered with Kids’- Doc- on- Wheels, Eastchester Family Services, and other healthcare organizations throughout the state.  The CareSource team strategically brings the WOW mobile unit to areas where access to care has been a challenge. The team uses Geo-spatial analysis and data to identify the top zip codes where members have not recently been seen by a provider. The team then organizes the events in those areas and contacts members directly to encourage them to attend a health care event in their community. To further encourage attendance, CareSource often provides incentives such as gift cards, food boxes and offers transportation to the mobile unit for members who need it.  

CareSource WOW will be at the CareSource Community Resource Center on Saturday, May 20. The Center provides a brick-and-mortar location offering information about CareSource Life Services, Rewards and Benefits, as well as resources about behavioral health and maternal and infant health. The Center is located at 7402 Hodgson Memorial Drive, STE 115. Savannah, Ga 31406.

Community organizations such as the City of Savannah, The Recovery Place, St. Joseph's/Candler Health System, Goodwill Savannah, Healthy Savannah, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System and J.C. Lewis will be present to provide additional resources to all members in the Savannah area.