ECMC ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY COVID-19 TESTING SITES PROGRAM – NIAGARA COUNTY
ECMC redirects Medicaid funds enabling 27 sites in 17 priority zip codes across Amherst, Buffalo, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Wheatfield, and Williamsville
BUFFALO, N.Y – Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMC) today announced 10 community health center and primary care practice organizations have been approved to receive $2.3M in Delivery Service Reform Incentive Program (DSRIP) funds to support COVID-19 testing at 27 sites and from three mobile units operating in 17 priority zip codes located in Amherst, Buffalo, Dunkirk, Jamestown, Lockport, Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Wheatfield and Williamsville, NY.
The organizations selected for funding have existing agreements under the DSRIP Medicaid program in these vulnerable communities. They were able to apply for COVID-19 testing site grant funding for up to $2,500/day for up to 100 days. These organizations will have specific deliverables and reporting requirements.
Thomas J. Quatroche Jr., PhD, President and CEO, Erie County Medical Center said, “The ECMC DSRIP-funded community testing sites program is part of a multi-pronged community-based healthcare initiative designed to support Western New York’s vulnerable, at-risk residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. NYS Medicaid Waiver funding is being used in these vulnerable communities to increase testing and link individuals with primary care. The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionally affecting minority and economically challenged areas due to social determinates of health that have created underlining health conditions in these communities.”
Sheila Kee, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center said, “The Erie County Medical Center has been on the frontlines of Western New York’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic since the very beginning. We’re very fortunate to have their leadership, and we thank ECMC for the support and partnership in assisting our efforts to increase our testing capabilities and overall care for our community members in Niagara County.”
The community testing sites program is in addition to expanded testing capabilities at ECMC, as well as Kaleida Health’s recently announced effort to expand its laboratory testing capability for COVID-19. An additional $1.125M in funding has also been provided to the African American Health Equity Task Force, to facilitate the Task Force’s work with Buffalo-area churches and other community-based organizations to reach out to vulnerable individuals and educate them on COVID-19-related health issues and identify barriers to care and link individuals with primary care and COVID-19 testing sites. Also, with support of the New York State Department of Health, an additional $7.24 million was released as early distribution of funds to outpatient community partners, including primary care and behavioral health partners, as well as organizations who are engaged in three areas of activity: 1) Expanding healthcare capacity to reach Medicaid and vulnerable populations (e.g. telehealth); 2) Address social determinants of health (e.g., food, food pantries, rent assistance, housing); 3) and provide COVID-19-related care.
Community Testing Site Locations
| TOWN/CITY | TESTING ORGANIZATION | LOCATION | ZIP CODE | TESTING HOURS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOCKPORT | Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Health Home | 80 Main Street, | Suite 5 | 14094 | Mon. – Fri. 1PM – 5PM Every other week |
| NIAGARA FALLS | Community Health Center of Niagara | 2715 Highland Ave. | 14305 | Variable Hours | |
| Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center | Pine Street Entrance 621 Tenth St. | 14301 | Mon– Sun. 8AM – Noon |
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| Conducted by Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center | Community Health Center of Niagara 2715 Highland Ave. | 14305 | Sat-Sun. Variable Hours |
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| Conducted by Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center | John A. Duke Niagara Falls Senior Citizen Center 1201 Hyde Park Boulevard | 14301 | Sat-Sun. Variable Hours |
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| NORTH TONAWANDA | North Tonawanda Primary Care Center 1089 Kinkead Ave., Suite 111 | 14120 | Sat-Sun. | Variable Hours | |
| WHEATFIELD | Conducted by Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center | Summit Healthplex 6934 Williams Road Wheatfield | 14304 | Mon– Fri. 1PM – 5PM Every other week |
About the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation: The ECMC Corporation was established as a New York State Public Benefit Corporation and since 2004 has included an advanced academic medical center with 573 inpatient beds, on- and off-campus health centers, more than 30 outpatient specialty care services and Terrace View, a 390-bed long-term care facility. ECMC is Western New York’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center, as well as a regional center for burn care, behavioral health services, transplantation, medical oncology and head & neck cancer care, rehabilitation and a major teaching facility for the University at Buffalo. Most ECMC physicians, dentists and pharmacists are dedicated faculty members of the university and/or members of a private practice plan. More Western New York residents are choosing ECMC for exceptional patient care and patient experiences – the difference between healthcare and true care™.