Welcome to Harbor Health Services, Inc.
Harbor Health Services, Inc.is a nonprofit, public health agency committed to providing quality, comprehensive health care in urban Boston neighborhoods, the South Shore and Cape Cod communities. We provide a wide network of healthcare services to meet the needs of our patients.
Harbor Health owns and operates four community health centers: Geiger Gibson Community Health Center, Harbor Community Health Center-Hyannis, Harbor Community Health Center-Plymouth and Neponset Health Center. These health centers are Health Center Program grantees under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and a deemed Public Health Service employee under 42 U.S.C. 233(g)-(n). In addition, Harbor Health administers the Elder Service Plan, a program providing care to frail elders in their place of residence, the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program of Dorchester South and the Ellen Jones Community Dental Center.
Combined, Harbor Health’s community health centers are the Medical Home for more than 29,000 patients and the “family dentist” to an additional 14,000 patients. The Elder Service Plan cares for more than 550 members and Women Infant Children Nutrition Program serves more than 3000 women and their children.
National Health Center Week is August 13th-19th
National Health Center Week is a week long event celebrating the work and services Health Centers provide to special populations within their community. See the schedule below for a full calendar of events and days that your local Harbor Health Community Health Center is celebrating:
- Sunday, 8/13: Elected Officials Day
- Monday, 8/14: Health Screenings Day
- Tuesday, 8/15: Public Housing Health Centers Day
- Harbor Health will be hosting a Tai Chi info session and exercise demos from 9 am to 10 am at Keystone Apartment Community at 151 Hallet S. in Dorchester, MA.
- Wednesday, 8/16: Healthcare for the Homeless Day
- Harbor Health will be hosting a sock drive to benefit patients at Duffy Community Health Center in Hyannis, MA. Anyone interested in donating socks can contact Emma McMahon at (508) 778-5402 x6481 or via email at emchmaho@hhsi.us.
- Thursday, 8/17: Agricultural Worker Health Day
- Harbor Health will be hosting a fresh food truck event from 3-5 pm outside of Neponset Health Center. Patients and staff will be given $5 food vouchers to purchase fruits and vegetables. There will be 50 vouchers for patients given on first come, first serve basis.
- Friday, 8/18: Consumer Board Member Day
- Saturday, 8/19: Children’s Health Day
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for health screening tips and to see how we are celebrating within our communities!
June is Men’s Health Month
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in males in the United States. As men get older, their risk for prostate cancer increases. In order to detect prostate cancer early, men who are older than 40 years of age or have a family history of prostate cancer should talk to their doctor about scheduling a screening. The Dana Farber Cancer Institute lists the following recommendations for prostate cancer screening by age:
•Age 18-40: Screening is usually not required.
•Age 40-49: You should discuss your risk level with your physician. Screening is recommended if you are considered high risk. African-American men and men who have a family history of prostate cancer are at a greater risk and should discuss PSA testing with their physicians.
•Age 50+: Discuss screening with your physician.
The Cleveland Clinic estimates that 40% of men do not go for an annual visit to the doctor. If you’re a man, make June the month that you schedule your annual visit to the doctor! And if you know a man that is putting off going to the doctors, tell him to make an appointment (fact: 19% of men see the doctor to stop a loved one from nagging)!
Do You Need Help Applying for Health Insurance?
Mary shares her experience working with a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) at Geiger Gibson Community Health Center in Dorchester.
What If I Miss the Open Enrollment Deadline to Apply for Health Insurance?
- You can enroll in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time of year.
- You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. See if you qualify.
If you would like to speak with a Certified Application Counselor about health insurance options or need help applying for health insurance, email enroll@hhsi.us or call 617-533-2284 (Boston), 508-778-5498 (Plymouth) or 508-778-5435 (Cape Cod). You can also visit any one of our health centers located in Boston, Plymouth and Cape Cod to meet with a Certified Application Counselor!
What to Bring to Your Appointment
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- Proof of Income: Two pay stubs for each job or letter from Unemployment, If Self Employed: most recent tax forms including Schedule C, Proof of rental income, Proof of Child Support or Alimony.
- Proof of Identity: Driver’s License, Massachusetts I.D., Military I.D., School I.D., Adoption Papers
- Social Security Number (If you have one)
NOTICE TO PATIENTS ABOUT THE ELECTION RESULTS AND YOUR HEALTH COVERAGE
Some comments made during the recent presidential election have made patients worried about their health coverage.
1) If you are a MassHealth patient , re-enroll now. You will be able to get health coverage! We will tell you about any upcoming changes. Our Community Health Center will continue providing you care.
2) If you get health coverage through the Health Connector, re-enroll now. You will be able to get health coverage! We will tell you about any upcoming changes. Our Community Health Center will continue providing you care.
3) Anybody can receive care at this health center regardless of immigration status.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a prevention option for people that are at a very high risk of HIV infection. PrEP is a pill that contains two HIV medications and can be prescribed by a doctor. The pill must be taken every day and follow-up visits are required every three months. Ask your healthcare provider about PrEP and if it’s the right option for you.
Want to know more about PrEP? Go to AIDS.gov or make an appointment at Neponset Health Center or Geiger Gibson Community Health Center to talk with a healthcare provider.
Harbor Receives PRIME Certification for Behavioral Health Integration
Harbor Health Services, Inc. is proud to announce that all of its health centers that provide primary care have received PCMH PRIME Certification. Neponset Health Center, Geiger Gibson Community Health Center, Harbor Community Health Center Hyannis, and Harbor Community Plymouth have all met the criteria for integrating behavioral health services into a primary care setting.
The PCMH Prime Certification Program was developed by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Read More
We are a Veterans Choice Program Partner
Harbor Health Services, Inc. is proud to be a Veterans Choice Program Partner! Learn more about the Choice Program by visiting www.va.gov/opa/choiceact or call 866-606-8198 to speak with a representative.
