Outer Cape Health Services

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! Check out this great White Party video:

Provincetown White Party has been going on 20 plus years and befits...

09/06/2026

Still glowing from the White Party. 🤍 Huge thanks to Bob Lenzi, Provincetown, and everyone who made this extraordinary event benefiting OCHS possible. Your generosity means so much to the communities we serve.

09/03/2026

UPDATE: The Wellfleet Clinic is OPEN on Tuesday, September 8th!

08/23/2026

🌅 Enjoy the evening. Skip the bites.

Summer evenings on Cape Cod are meant for sunset walks, dinner on the deck and time outdoors. But mosquitoes are part of the season, too.

West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes collected in Eastham, so now is a good time to take a few simple precautions — especially around dusk and after dark.

🦟 Use an EPA-registered insect repellent when spending time outdoors.
👕 Consider long sleeves and pants when mosquitoes are most active.
💧 Empty standing water around your home, including buckets, planters, birdbaths and other containers.
🏠 Check window and door screens for holes that could let mosquitoes inside.

Most mosquito bites are simply an annoyance. A little prevention can help you enjoy everything a Cape Cod summer evening has to offer.

Enjoy the sunset — and leave the mosquitoes hungry. 🌅

Learn more about mosquito-borne illness and prevention from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health:
https://www.mass.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases

08/22/2026

🎒 Back-to-school checklists aren't just about backpacks and pencils.

As Cape Cod families get ready for a new school year, it's a good time to check one more thing off the list: health.

Before the first day of school:

✅ Make sure your child's immunization record is up to date
✅ Check that required school health forms are complete
✅ Make sure prescriptions and medications needed at school are ready
✅ Review any allergy, asthma or other health plans your child's school may need

And while you're checking the kids' records, take a look at your own.

Vaccines aren't just for children. College students, parents and grandparents all have recommended immunizations based on their age, health and individual needs.

Back-to-school season is a good reminder for the whole family to take stock of their health and make sure important records and medications are up to date.

Here's to a healthy, happy start to the school year! 📚🍎

08/21/2026

If you couldn't speak for yourself, who would speak for you?

It’s a question worth answering — no matter how old you are or how healthy you feel today.

A Health Care Proxy is a simple legal document that lets you name someone you trust to make health care decisions for you if illness or injury ever leaves you unable to make or communicate those decisions yourself.

Massachusetts health officials recommend that every adult age 18 and older have one.

Why does it matter?

❤️ The person you trust can advocate for the care you would want.
❤️ Your family doesn't have to guess about who should make decisions.
❤️ It can help prevent delays in your care during an emergency.
❤️ It can give you and the people who love you greater peace of mind.

You don't need to be older. You don't need to have a serious diagnosis. You just need to be an adult who wants a say in your own health care — even if someday you can't speak for yourself.

Take a few minutes this weekend to ask yourself: Who would I trust to speak for me?

Learn more about Health Care Proxies in Massachusetts:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-health-care-proxies-and-living-wills

Laws, regulations, and web sources on health care proxies and living wills.

08/21/2026

What a day! 🪩🌊💙

Outer Cape Health Services had an absolute blast at Provincetown Carnival 2026: Deep Sea Disco. Huge thanks to everyone who marched, danced, cheered us on, and helped bring our under-the-sea celebration to life!

08/20/2026

Deep Sea Disco, Outer Cape style. 🪩🌈💜

What a day at Provincetown Carnival!

08/20/2026

📬 Do you have MassHealth? Keep an eye on your mail, texts and email.

Beginning this month, MassHealth is contacting members about upcoming federal changes that could affect coverage for some people.

Most MassHealth members will not be affected. But now is a good time to make sure MassHealth has your current phone number, mailing address and email address — and to read and respond to any messages you receive.

And if you're confused about what any of this means, you don't have to figure it out alone.

Outer Cape Health Services has Certified Application Counselors who can help you understand your health insurance options and assist with eligibility, applications and enrollment in programs including MassHealth, ConnectorCare and the Health Safety Net.

✅ Keep your contact information with MassHealth up to date
✅ Open and read messages from MassHealth
✅ Continue going to your medical appointments and filling your prescriptions
✅ Ask for help if you aren't sure what you need to do

Our insurance enrollment counselors are here to help.

Learn more or find the number for a counselor near you:
https://www.outercape.org/services/insurance-enrollment-assistance/

For information about the upcoming MassHealth changes:
https://www.mass.gov/federal-changes-affecting-masshealth-medicaid-members

Your health coverage matters. Don't let a confusing letter or form keep you from getting the care you need.

The Trump Administration is making changes to Medicaid programs across the country. Learn how they affect MassHealth members.

08/19/2026

A major step forward for primary care in Massachusetts! 👏

The Massachusetts House has passed H.5630, a primary care-focused bill that includes several important provisions for community health centers and the patients we serve.

The legislation would:

🏥 Require commercial insurers to reimburse community health centers at least at MassHealth rates, helping address longstanding underpayment for primary care.

👩‍⚕️ Create a new $25 million primary care workforce fund to support scholarships, loan repayment, clinical training, and career pathways — critical tools for recruiting and retaining the healthcare professionals our communities need.

📈 Establish statewide benchmarks to increase investment in primary care to 15% by 2036.

For community health centers like Outer Cape Health Services, these policies matter. Stronger reimbursement and greater investment in the primary care workforce help protect your access to care — especially in rural communities where recruiting clinicians and sustaining services can be particularly challenging.

We are grateful to the members of the Massachusetts House who voted to advance this legislation, and to the advocates across the Commonwealth who continue to speak up for primary care.

Please join us in thanking House members for supporting community health centers and primary care.

👉 Take action: https://link.quorumtracking.com/f/a/7FyJCPRk-ydLQdF6dNi2aA~~/AACYXxA~/zHT6INMo4D1fexahRrjOAEE-HGkbvTg0v4joY_J8PFLSrxGBHR9SV9OEGRDrPK4X7BlQyZXU-QVmiIv7cYjWShk_KW6uH6cHcEOf83l80Y3oNefry4eCVjsMcX-jkrmcNgDco9L7Npd733w5MuUWs5KVSYI1Couofuoy2S3WhU2kCaKuLw4G6J1nRbPiZkSUKZwHxUAWCokSQ17JIxRMW6tbqDQ8ThjPaQ1vXNRbX3LcRP8IsI_nLNx2eLpJH3CaQ7iveEgAoMSpyzHZHdHO42c5INsRJFOFKCRM1xijHHST2MFwCPlOUlm1VmQ59KaDIOIFq1yOy4TO1QJRqBsF4Q~~