Brief History
This nonprofit organization was formed in January 2008 upon the closure of Blue Ridge Family Practice. Blue Ridge Family Practice was a for profit organization that previously provided some of the same services.
Current Programs
Mountaintop Healthcare has a contractual agreement with the Good Samaritan Clinic of Haywood County. The Good Samaritan Clinic is a nonprofit, free medical clinic that provides medical services to the uninsured and those who fall 200% or below the Federal poverty level. Through this contract Mountaintop Healthcare provides the GSC with a part time physician, an executive director, and professional clerical and clinical staff. This contract also enables Mountaintop Healthcare to provide services to Medicaid recipients in the county. All Medicaid claims are paid to Mountaintop Healthcare and funds are passed on to The Good Samaritan Clinic. There is an immediate need for Medicaid providers in Haywood County. This contract allows both organizations to meet the need for Medicaid providers in our county and also participate as a free clinic. The NC Association of Free Clinics and Medicaid both approved this unique model of care.
Mountaintop Healthcare has several programs that are independent of our contract with the Good Samaritan Clinic.
- We have an opiate addiction program where we treat people with the drug Suboxone. This program is available to anyone addicted to opiates and operates on a sliding fee scale. We see patients throughout Western North Carolina.
- We offer a walk in dermatology clinic that offers treatment for patients with urgent dermatologic needs. Dr. Teater is a family practitioner who has a special interest in dermatology. Our walk in clinic is convenient for many working adults. We care for rashes, acne, and other skin care issues. We frequently see people with skin cancers and are able to treat many of these at our clinic. Others are referred quickly to local specialists for immediate treatment.
- We have a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who provides counseling to patients with insurance, including Medicaid. There is an immediate need in our area for Medicaid mental health providers.
- We are developing a program to help other counties start free clinics. 10 of the 23 counties in Western North Carolina do not have any means of serving the uninsured. Seven counties have part time clinics and only 6 clinics offer full time patient care.
Activities
We are a full-time operation providing patient services Monday through Friday each week. Certain days are set aside for each of our programs. We have one full time physician, one mental health therapist, an executive director, and four certified medical assistants on staff.
Accomplishments
Since the start of our relationship with the Good Samaritan Clinic we have increased the volume and quality of care by providing professional employees who are experienced in running a high quality and efficient medical practice. We have increased the number of patients seen without an increase in the cost to the Good Samaritan Clinic. We currently have 100 patients enrolled in our Suboxone program. 90% of patients who start Suboxone have a positive outcome and do not resume activities related to narcotic abuse. Our dermatology clinic continues to grow in numbers each week as word spreads in the community.
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