New line of medical vans coming to North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Accessing healthcare when you live in a rural area can be challenging. For some people, driving to the nearest clinic for a routine screening can be quite a hassle.

Patients might not have that much time or money to spare. But some North Dakotans can have healthcare come to them.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, NextBlue and Arkos Health are launching a series of medical vans.

Nicole Christensen, with Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, said the four vehicles will tour the state and provide screening tests for its members. She said previously, team members would use their personal cars to visit with clients.

“Our team members go to all corners of North Dakota, so we’ve really touched almost all of the cities and towns,” said Christensen.

“There are things that can happen throughout our lives, so catching that early on is always best,” said Chelsey Matter, with Arkos Health.

Arkos Health’s Asia Merkel cites a recent interaction the team had with a woman in Fargo who didn’t speak English. Merkel said the woman showed them her continuous glucose monitor.

“She scanned it with her phone, and it showed ‘200,’ that was her blood sugar reading. And she said, ‘One banana, 200. One banana, 200 –’ that was all she could say. So our team figured out that her blood sugar rose that much just from eating one banana,” Merkel said.

Christensen said a part of their service includes connecting patients with appropriate healthcare providers.

If you’re a member, you can call 701-237-1228 to request a visit from the van for a screening.

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