UPMC Health Plan Opens New Neighborhood Center in the East End

Pittsburgh (Dec. 6, 2022) – UPMC Health Plan and its community partners today formally opened the UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony and onsite tours of the 8,000 square-foot facility at 6401 Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh’s East End.

Representatives of Walnut Capital, local elected officials, Partner4Work, the Larimer Consensus Group and other community partners attended the opening of the Center, which will offer access to virtual health consultations via UPMC Health Plan’s AnywhereCare telehealth platform; a community food pantry; workforce development programs; and Graduate Equivalent Degree (GED) and social services.

“Today’s ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates what we believe is a reflection of our collaborative, community-based approach to support community health and well-being, especially in areas impacted by health inequities,” said Diane Holder, President, and CEO, UPMC Health Plan. “As an integrated health system, we recognize good health depends upon so much more than just the medicine you take—and the Neighborhood Center’s combination of services specifically in demand in this part of Pittsburgh reflects this whole person approach to health care.”

“We know that offering equitable health care leads to more efficient healthcare systems overall,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “It follows that a healthier population requires less medical care, which means fewer doctor's visits, less healthcare spending per patient, and better health outcomes for everyone. We look forward to seeing the effect of this new neighborhood center on the health of those who call the East End home.”

UPMC Health Plan and its community partners conducted two years of data- and local input-driven planning to ensure services offered at the facility met local needs and enhance – not duplicate -- services already offered in the community. Program needs were also informed by Allegheny County’s Community Needs Index (CNI) and UPMC hospital’s community needs assessments to help prioritize areas of concern related to health equity in the East End.

“The programming and supports offered at the Neighborhood Center will help ensure a brighter future for local individuals and families,” said Donna Jackson, Executive Director, Larimer Consensus Group. “That’s because it was developed with input from community groups who are on-the-ground and know what services are most urgently needed.”

“Because we worked closely with local community organizations and leaders, this is a true grassroots-driven effort that reflects their views about what East End residents need to address health disparities,” said Holder. “And it provides a venue for all of us to work in tandem to coordinate supports and services, so they have meaningful, long-term positive impacts.

The Center will also house three Community Health Workers to help individuals with health-related questions about issues that include healthy lifestyles, nutrition, and health-related social needs.

Hours of operation for the UPMC Health Plan Neighborhood Center are Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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About UPMC Insurance Services

The UPMC Insurance Services Division serves more than 4 million members and is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The UPMC Insurance Services Division provides commercial products through UPMC Health Plan for both groups and individuals. Its commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners®. Government products include Medicare Advantage plans (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those who are eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); a Medical Assistance plan (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program plans (UPMC for Kids). Community Care Behavioral Health Organization—one of the nation's largest nonprofit managed care behavioral health organizations—is also part of the Insurance Services Division. Community Care offers a full range of services to commercial and Medical Assistance members. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.