K.J. Johnson joins three HealthReach practices as connector

WATERVILLE – K.J. Johnson, a connector, joined staff at three practices of HealthReach Community Health Centers in February.
Johnson joins Mount Abram Regional Health Center, in Kingfield; Rangeley Family Medicine and the Strong Area Health Center. Johnson looks forward to helping patients access important services, such as affordable health care, health insurance, and other social and support services.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in integrated studies with a focus on communication and philosophy from Alverno College, in Wisconsin. She is working toward a master’s degree in Peace and Reconciliation at the University of Maine. In 2020, Johnson was in the AmeriCorps VISTA program at Greater Portland Health, where she conducted quality insurance and outreach programing. She has experience in both inclusive care and nicotine recovery support.
Johnson joins HealthReach’s four other connectors – Tina DeRaps, LSW; Chenoa Jackson, LSW; Melissa Martin; and Courtney Koczera. Connectors provide free and valuable services to help with the high cost of health care. They help patients navigate a variety of resources, including MaineCare (Medicaid), Hospital Free Care, Supplemental Nutritional Aid Program (SNAP, or “food stamps”), reduced-cost prescription medications through the Patient Assistance Program, and our the HealthReach Affordable Care program (“sliding fee”). HealthReach Connectors can also connect patients to other resources in their community.
HealthReach Community Health Centers, a private nonprofit with a 45-year history, funded by patient fees, grants and by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It has 12 locations in western and central Maine, including in Bethel, Belgrade, Bingham, Albion (Lovejoy Health Center), Kingfield (Mount Abram Regional Health Center), Madison, Rangeley, Richmond, Pittsfield (Sheepscot Valley Health Center), Strong and Livermore Falls (Western Maine Health Center). It offers medical and behavioral care, and to ensure access for everyone, HealthReach accepts Medicare, MaineCare, and major insurance providers. In addition, an Affordable Care Program is available to both uninsured and underinsured residents. Assistance is available for applications to programs that help with the cost of health care and medications, including the Health Insurance Marketplace.