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"All of my patients are homeless and uninsured. They are extremely grateful to the specialty providers and hospitals who donate their services. May patients are able to return to work and get out of homelessness soon after their health care needs are met. We need more specialists in every field to come forward and be a part of something larger and rewarding everyday."
--Priya Samant, MD, Healing Hands Health Care for the Homeless
What do I do when I see a Project Access patient? What if the patient needs hospitalization?
What is the patient's responsibility in the program? What if the patient needs prescription assistance?
I already care for low-income patients. Does this count?
How can I be sure I will receive only the number of patients that I have agreed to see?
What about malpractice coverage?
What is Project Access?
Project Access is a community partnership created to improve access to health care for low-income, uninsured residents of Central Oklahoma. Project Access combines donated physicians, hospitals, and other health care services, and medication assistance to compliment and enhance the work of existing health care providers serving predominantly low-income uninsured in federally qualified health centers, free clinics, community-based health centers, health departments and other community agencies.
How does the program work?
The program is designed to improve access
to comprehensive health care services which go beyond the scope of care delivered at referring sites. Patients are referred by the providers working in the centers and community-based organizations and agencies offering medical care to the low-income and uninsured.
Who is eligible for the program?
Individuals must be a Central Oklahoma resident with no health insurance and income must not exceed 150% of the federal Poverty Guidelines ($14,700 annual income for a family of one and no more than $30,000 for a family of four).
(2006 U.S. HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines)
How will patient visits be scheduled?
Project Access contacts participating providers to setup each patient's first visit. each referral made and received is documented and maintained by Project
Access. Patients are notified of their scheduled appointment and location information. We mail or fax all available patient demographics and necessary medical information to assist you in establishing a patient record. A follow-up form is included to forward to the referring provider with your instructions, recommended treatment(s) and any additional services.
What do I do when I see a Project Access patient?
Project Access patients are scheduled like insured patients and receive a Project Access identification card to present when accessing services. This is not an insurance card. To help us track services you provide to Project Access patients, we ask that your office submit a standard billing and coding form (CMS-1500) with the value of services provided to Project Access. You will not receive payment for the services. however, at the end of the year we will send you a letter indicating the total value of the donated services provided by your office.
If the patient needs further diagnostic services, such as laboratory studies or other tests, you may choose to donate such services if you regularly perform these tests in your office, or Project Access will assist you in arranging studies at other participating facilities.
If you agree to become a primary care provider, you will continue to provide on-going care as long as the patient is eligible to participate in the program.
What if the patient needs hospitalization?
Area hospitals including Integris Health System -- Southwest Medical Center and Baptist Medical Center, Mercy Health Center- OKC and Yukon, OU Medical Center's Presbyterian and University Hospitals, and Lakeside Women's Hospital donate hospital services and care for patients enrolled in Project Access.
You simply contact Project Access to coordinate a hospital admission to ensure that the facility is properly informed of the needed service(s) or hospital admission. Timely and direct communication is made with your office staff notifying you of the arrangements for admission.
What is the patient's responsibility in the program?
Patients are responsible for keeping appointments and for making a good-faith effort to work in partnership with the providers to complete the recommended plan of care. Patients are asked to sign a written agreement that they will contact your office 24-hours prior to a scheduled appointment, if unable to keep that appointment.
What if the patient needs prescription assistance?
We offer patients assistance in applying for Pharmacy assistance Programs (PAP) to obtain free or reduced cost medications. some referring providers may have prescription/medication assistance programs.
Who decides how many times I will see an established Project Access patient?
Together with the patient, you will decide how many visits are needed. Patients may be seen as often as needed to be sure their needs are met. We make every effort to establish a stable doctor-patient relationship with the patients you serve.
Patients are initially enrolled in Project Access for six months. If additional care is needed, patients may be re-enrolled at your request, as often as necessary, and as long as they continue to meet eligibility requirements. Please call the program coordinator at (405) 524-8100 ext. 107 or ext. 111 if you have further questions or comments.
I already care for low-income patients. Does this count?
Yes it does. Thank You! With your help we hope to document and recognize this service. The number of low-income/uninsured patients you already see counts toward your pledge for Project Access. You simply need to contact the Project Access office to enroll these patients in the program. By enrolling your patients in Project Access you receive recognition for the care you provide and the patients can benefit from other comprehensive or primary care services the program offers, such as hospitalization, radiology, laboratory, physical therapy, medication assistance and others as they come available.
If you are volunteering at one of the local "free clinics," please continue to do so. Many of these clinics are Project Access enrollment sites and refer patients to the program for services. If your would like to volunteer at a free clinic we will be glad to assist you in this process.
How can I be sure I will receive only the number of patients that I have agreed to see?
If you are a primary care Physician we ask you to "TAKE TEN" Project Access enrollees and manage their care. If you are a specialist we ask you to take 10-20 Project Access enrollees and provide specialty consultation and procedural services.
Central Oklahoma Project Access maintains a web-based database (HIPPA compliant) That tracks the number of referrals each physician has accepted and provides assurance that you don't exceed the number of Project Access patients you agreed to see in your practice. Patient referrals are rotated among our volunteer providers to assure equal distribution of patients needing service. Project Access will comply with your instructions on the process for contacting your office and making appointments.
What about malpractice coverage?
In the unlikely event that a physician would be sued for care donated to Project Access patient, usual and customary malpractice coverage would apply. We do not provide malpractice coverage. However, we continue to work with policy makers for assistance in providing coverage for the care you provide in your office to individuals referred through Project Access.
If you have questions or need additional information, please call Mary Overall, Director of Health Care Systems & Compliance at (405) 524-8100 ext. 111 or Dr. Perry A. Klaassen, MD, Clinical Director.
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