Primary care center for adults on Medicare to open in Allentown

Oak Street Health is opening a center in Allentown on Wednesday. 

The center at 1539 Lehigh Street, is the first in Allentown for Oak Street Health, a network of value-based primary care centers for adults on Medicare, 

The center seeks to engage older adults in the Allentown community by sending team members to food banks and senior centers, providing care settings where older adults feel comfortable, and offering opportunities for patients to mix and mingle with other older adults in the area. 

“We are thrilled to open our Allentown and begin delivering an unmatched patient experience and improving health outcomes for older adults in the community,” said Dr. Marisa Gefen, regional medical director at Oak Street Health.  “At Oak Street Health, we are committed to providing the highest quality care to meet the individual needs of our patients and we are excited to bring our innovative healthcare model to the area.” 

The company said the integrated model incorporates behavioral health care and social determinants support and is easily accessible through a mix of in-center, in-home and telehealth appointments, as well as a 24/7 patient support line.  

Oak Street Health said it has reduced patient hospital admissions by approximately 51% compared to Medicare benchmarks and driven a 42% reduction in 30-day readmission rates and a 51% reduction in emergency department visits.  

Oak Street Health said it is dedicated to making a positive impact in the areas it serves by hiring employees from local neighborhoods and investing resources to support its communities. 

Oak Street Health’s Allentown office is the 14th for the Chicago, Illinois-based company, which opened a center in Lancaster earlier this month. 

Oak Street Health accepts all forms of Medicare, including Original Medicare Part B, select Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans and Medicare-Medicaid Plans.