A partnership between Community Health System and United Health Centers is bringing expanded primary and specialty healthcare to Community Regional Medical Center in Downtown Fresno.
In June, services at the Deran Koligian Ambulatory Care Center transferred to United Health Centers, which operates 35 locations across four counties in the Central Valley.
Why it matters: In a region lacking adequate options, the partnership makes quality outpatient care more accessible. Currently, 55% of patients in the area we serve are enrolled in Medi-Cal, versus the California state average of 40%.
“Our mission is to break down all those barriers that people have accessing healthcare,” said Justin Preas, CEO, United Health Centers. “Things such as the cost of services, making things affordable, transportation to and from appointments … and being able to provide all those other enabling services that people really need.”
United Health Centers now has staff inside the Community Regional emergency room, signing patients up for care before they even leave the hospital.
“Through our partnership with UCSF Fresno, patients have access to specialists and a wide variety of specialties here on the campus,” said Lucky Malhi, Chief Operating Officer, Community Regional Medical Center. “... for follow-up if they’ve been in the hospital, or preventive care to keep them out of the hospital.”
These services include:
- Medical
- Pediatrics
- Urgent care
- Cardiology
- Sleep medicine
- Dermatology (adult & pediatric)
- Endocrinology
- Infectious disease
- Radiology
- Ophthalmology
- Behavioral health
- Gender affirming care
- Sports medicine
- Hematology/oncology
- and more
The big picture: Patients can pay in a number of ways, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, Blue Cross Managed Medi-Cal, Health Net Managed Medi-Cal, and out-of-pocket payments.
“United Health Centers is really the perfect partner,” said Malhi. “They have a great reputation here locally for providing high-quality care and an outstanding patient experience, and that’s right in line with our mission to increase the well-being of our community and provide outstanding patient care to those who need it in our facility.”
Learn more: Deran Koligian Ambulatory Care Center
