Healthcare for Homeless
We recognize that homelessness and poor health are closely linked. Homeless individuals often suffer from several preventable and chronic physical and mental health issues. The daily struggle for food, shelter, and safety, reduces the importance of health which complicates treatment and often results in health complications.
Our compassionate, health team provides care for individuals experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness at Health Access located on Mr. Joe White Avenue in Myrtle Beach. The staff at Health Access provides assistance for men, women, and youth who are living in shelters, transitional housing, or any other unstable housing environment.
We assist homeless people and their families by removing those barriers that prevent access to critically needed care and support.
Services available at Health Access include:
- Primary and specialty referrals
- Disease management (diabetes, COPD, high blood pressure, and others)
- Care for minor illnesses (fevers, coughs, urinary tract infections, cuts, sprains and others)
- Hospital follow-up care
- Confidential HIV and Hepatitis C testing
- STI screenings and treatment
- On-site lab services
- Screening and enrollment for benefit programs, including assistance with insurance, food, medication
Who this program is for
All patients who are experiencing homelessness are accepted into our program regardless of insurance status.
For more information about our services for homeless, please call 843.231.0437.
Where and how to get care
We meet people where they are, in more than one way:
- At Health Access on Mr. Joe White Avenue in Myrtle Beach, a health center set up for this program
- Through outreach at area shelters and a community food kitchen on designated days
- Through our mobile medical van, which brings care directly into the community
What we provide
Care here is full primary care plus the support that goes with it:
- Primary and preventive medical care
- Behavioral health, mental health, and substance use support, including medication-assisted treatment
- Dental care
- Blood pressure monitoring, cancer screening, and chronic disease care
- Case management and social services
- Help with basic needs and connections to housing, food, and benefits
- 24-hour emergency on-call access
Working with the community
Our team works alongside shelters, agencies, and outreach programs across Horry County to build a real continuum of care, so a person does not fall through the cracks between a shelter bed and a doctor. Our Community Outreach team helps connect patients to the wider net of local resources.
How to reach us
Call 843-663-8000 to reach the Health Care for the Homeless program, or ask a shelter or outreach worker to connect you. Care workers and case managers are welcome to refer clients directly.
