CARE Center at Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center - Long Beach, CA

About CARE Center at Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center

CARE Center at Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center is a outpatient services center that offers many services, including HIV and STI Testing, PrEP and PEP Services, and Rapid Start Antiretroviral. Visit CARE Center at Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center located at 1040 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA. This Long Beach outpatient services center is one of the best in California. As part of the Dignity Health network, CARE Center at Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical Center is dedicated to delivering high quality, compassionate care and access to Long Beach and nearby communities.

Services We Offer

• HIV and STI Testing
• PrEP and PEP Services
• Rapid Start Antiretroviral Treatment
• Aids Drug Assistance (ADAP)
• HIPP (Health Insurance Premium Payment) Program
• Benefits Assistance
• Dental Care
• Food Pantry
• HIV Medical Care
• Home-Based Medical Case Management
• Medical Care Coordination
• Behavioral Health
• Nutritional Counseling
• Support Groups

HIV and STI Testing

Whether you've last tested your sexual health status three to six months or longer, staying healthy starts with knowing your status. In addition to HIV testing, CARE offers testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

PrEP and PEP Services

CARE offers PrEP and PEP services regardless of ability to pay. PrEP is a once\-daily pill or bi\-monthly injection that reduces risk of HIV infection by up to 99%. PEP is offered to anyone potentially exposed to HIV in the past 3 days, and must be taken for 4 weeks to prevent infection. We are recognized as a PrEP Center of Excellence in LA County.

Rapid Start Antiretroviral Treatment

If you are newly diagnosed with HIV or returning to care, CARE offers rapid access to HIV medications. In most cases, our providers can see you and get you started on meds in 1\-3 days, regardless of your ability to pay.

Aids Drug Assistance (ADAP)

The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) helps ensure that people living with HIV and AIDS in California, who are uninsured or under\-insured, have access to medication. ADAP pays the prescription costs for medication on the ADAP Formulary for eligible individuals.

HIPP (Health Insurance Premium Payment) Program

The Health Insurance Premium Program (OA\-HIPP) is a program designed to help cover the payment of monthly premiums for health, dental, and vision insurance payments. The program is meant to assist individuals who are enrolled in ADAP and make a maximum gross income of $65,000 annually.

Benefits Assistance

We offer benefits counseling to anyone in our community living with HIV. Our benefits counselors can assist with Medi\-Cal applications, Covered California plan applications, disability applications, and much more.

Dental Care

Oral health is especially important to people living with HIV. Our dental clinic is staffed by two full time dentists and one oral hygienist. Our complete dental care includes hygiene, white fillings, crowns, bridges, partial and full dentures.

Food Pantry

The CARE Food Pantry has been serving our community for over 25 years. Services are available to all CARE clients in need. The pantry is overseen by our registered dietitian, and clients receive a healthy selection of pre\-bagged groceries that include fresh fruits \& vegetables, dairy, frozen meats, and an assortment of dry goods.

HIV Medical Care

Our multidisciplinary approach to medical care includes infectious disease specialists, HIV\-trained nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals. Our goal is to provide our patients with the most advanced and up\-to\-date treatments available, while also addressing the unique medical, social and emotional needs of each individual.

Home-Based Medical Case Management

Home\-based medical case management provides patients who get their healthcare at home an individual case manager to evaluate the status of their health and their treatment needs on a regular basis, so they can plan, implement, monitor, and coordinate that patient's care.

Medical Care Coordination

Medical Care Coordination (MCC) is a program that combines your medical and psychosocial support in one place. The MCC team will work with you and your physician to determine your needs and goals related to your health. If you are having trouble taking your medications, getting to your appointments, keeping track of your other medical appointments, having enough food, or finding someone to talk to, we can help.

Behavioral Health

The CARE Program offers individual, partner and relational therapy for you and your loved ones. Your behavioral health is a very important part of staying healthy. It affects how you think, feel and behave. It also can determine how you handle stress, relate to others, and make important choices. You are not alone. We also offer various support groups where you can receive compassionate care.

Nutritional Counseling

Our registered dietitian is specially trained to support people living with HIV in maintaining optimal health and wellbeing. She works with CARE clients to develop personalized nutrition plans that address the specific needs and challenges associated with living with HIV.

Support Groups

Support groups are groups of individuals who share experiences, stories, and their lives with each other in a safe and supportive environment. The members of the group typically have gone through a similar experience, such as the death of a loved one, the illness of a child, or receiving a diagnosis of a terminal illness.