Refugees face special health challenges. They come from areas of the world with prevalent communicable disease such as tuberculosis, HIV and Hepatitis B. Frequently, they also suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. It is critical to provide adequate health care and screening services to refugees to both improve their quality of life and protect the public from communicable diseases.
Physicians can help by joining the Pennsylvania Refugee Health Program provider network. This program was developed by the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Public Welfare ”to increase the capacity to provide access to comprehensive health assessments for new refugees arriving in the commonwealth.”
“This timely health assessment will allow health care providers and refugees to manage identified health problems and issues that could delay successful resettlement,” says Jamahal Boyd, Sr., director of the Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity. Through the program, physicians provide comprehensive health assessments of new refugees.
Assessments include a medical history, physician exam, immunizations, and screenings for tuberculosis, hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases and intestinal parasites. Providers make referrals for appropriate follow-up care and services.
To participate in the network, interested providers first register with Pennsylvania’s Central Vendor Management System and the Department of State. Once registered, physicians complete a participating provider agreement. Approval takes approximately three months. Upon approval, physicians will be reimbursed according to the program’s fee schedule.
“We believe this program contributes to breaking down barriers to accessing important health services,” says Boyd.
For more information about the program, contact: Cliff Deardorff, program administrator, at (717) 787-4366 or cldeardorff@state.pa.us; or Asresu Misikir, PhD, MPH at (717) 787-3350 or amisikir@state.pa.us.
Read more PAMED’s question and answer Facts about Refugee Health Care.