UPMC Opens Connect Center in Monroeville
By Lois Thomson
Tina Coles – Program Director, UPMC Health Plan
"We want to meet people where they are." That, according to Tina Coles, is the reason UPMC decided to open its new UPMC Health Plan Connect Center in Royal Oaks Shopping Center on Golden Mile Highway in Monroeville. The center moved from its previous location in Monroeville Mall, where it had been for the past 10 years, and Coles said, "We wanted to be in the community with the people, we wanted to be a facility to come to."
And the people are coming. Since the opening in October, Coles acknowledged the center has been very busy, saying, "Right now we're in the throes of a busy season of open enrollment. This has been a good time for us to see what traffic patterns look like here." She is pleased that many of the customers who visited the center in Monroeville Mall were now stopping in at the new location, but added, "I'm surprised at how many more we're getting in addition to our usuals who were coming to see us there."
One reason, Coles believes, is that the facility is situated in a spot between Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties, so it's accessible to people from both areas. "We've had a lot of people coming in from Westmoreland County who are happy we're a lot closer (than the mall). They love this space, they love how big it is, and they're excited to see what else we're going to be doing here."
“We’ll be really excited to see additional programming and events we can hold in this space. Some of the things we’re looking to include are health coaching – come and talk about such topics as diabetes education, healthy eating, smoking cessation. We’re looking forward to that. The sky’s the limit!”
While the Connect Center is not an Urgent Care Center where one can go to be checked for minor illnesses or injuries, it is a place where visitors can get answers to questions and assistance with a variety of issues. Coles explained, the team can help schedule appointments for services such as a flu shot or mammogram. They can also schedule appointments with a primary care physician, or offer help with finding a new doctor.
In addition, if patients don't have access to do a virtual appointment at home, the Connect Center offers a telehealth station so they can schedule an appointment with their doctor, then hold their virtual visit there. Visitors can also receive help with managing healthcare bills that they're not sure how to pay.
"Right now, we're making sure people are aware we're here, and we hope people will come and let us help them find the care they need. Basically, any guidance they're looking for, and would like in person care, that's what they can get from us here; we welcome that any time, all year long."
The UPMC Health Plan Connect Center is open Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call (412) 290-1896 or visit www.UPMChealthplan.com/connectcenter.