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Physician FAQ
How can I be assured you won't give me more than my fair share of nonpaying patients?
What happens if I agree to render personal service to a patient at no charge, but that patients needs medication and/or hospital care and is unable to pay for it?
If I sign up for the program and get over-loaded with patients being referred to my office through the program, may I have my name removed from the list?
Is there any special precaution being taken through the Arkansas Medical Society that would limit my liability if a malpractice claim is filed against me by one of the patients referred to me by the program?
If I see the patient at no charge on the initial visit under the guidelines of the program, am I then able to bill that patient for subsequent visits?
If a patient is reffered to me, having been determined eligible for the program, but I have reason to believe he or she is ineliglible, what responsibility do I have to see that patient at no charge?
If I agree to participate in the program, how can I be assured that these patients will be referred to me at the convenience of me and my staff?
I understand the patient should present their copy of the Health Care Access application at my office as proof of eligibility for the program. If the patient shows up at my office without the form, how can I know that this patient has indeed been reffered through the system?
What happens if a patient who is eligible gets referred to a doctor who is, for one reason or another, not immediately available or will give the patient an appointment several weeks, or a month away? Would that patient need to call you back to be seen by another physician?
What if a person in my community shows up in my office with the proper form based on the fact that someone else told them I work with the program? How am I to know they were referred to me?
My practice works by referral only. How can I participate in the program?
How can
I be assured you won't give me more than my fair share of nonpaying
patients?
Some, by virtue or specialty or location might see more patients than
others; however, each time a physician's name is given out as a referral,
his or her name will be placed at the bottom of the referral list.
No physicians have claimed
they were overburdened by the program.
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What happens if I agree to render personal
service to a patient at no charge, but that patients needs medication
and/or hospital care and is unable to pay for it?
Over 300 pharmacies statwide work with AHCAF to fill prescription medicines
by 3 pharmaceutical manufacturers at no charge, or at a one time discount.
However, the patient who needs hospital care may also receive help through many
participating hospitals by contacting Health Care Access.
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If I sign up for the program
and get over-loaded with patients being referred to my office
through the program, may I have my name removed from the list?
A physician has the option of having his/her
name removed from the list at anytime. In addition, physicians may
choose to limit the number of patients they see per month, year, etc.
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Is there any special precaution being taken through the Arkansas Medical Society
that would limit my liability if a malpractice claim is filed against
me by one of the patients referred to me by the program?
No special precaution is in effect, as your liability insurance for
your practice would cover any such claim.
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If I
see the patient at no charge on the initial visit under the guidelines
of the program, am I then able to bill that patient for subsequent
visits?
Your obligation in accepting a patient through the referral system
is to see that patient for one free office visit. We encourage continuity
of care, but all arrangements for subsequent visits are betwen you
and the patient.
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If a
patient is referred to me, having been determined eligible for the
program, but I have reason to believe he or she is ineliglible, what
responsibility do I have to see that patient at no charge?
None. This is a voluntary program. As a physician, you have the right
to choose not to see any patient. However, we encourage you to contact the Health Care Access
office immediately to note your concern about the patient's eligibility.
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If I
agree to participate in the program, how can I be assured that these
patients will be referred to me at the convenience of me and my staff?
This is a non-emergency care program. Therefore, patients whe are
referred to you must make an appointment to be seen.
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I understand the patient should present their copy of the Health Care Access application
at my office as proof of eligibility for the program. If the patient
shows up at my office without the form, how can I know that this patient
has indeed been reffered through the system?
The physician's office may call Health Care Access to verify the patient's
eligibility. However, the physician has the option not to see the
patient until he or she has the necessary eligibility form.
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What
happens if a patient who is eligible gets referred to a doctor who
is, for one reason or another, not immediately available or will give
the patient an appointment several weeks, or a month away? Would that
patient need to call you back to be seen by another physician?
We encourage physicians to use their normal appointment scheduling
and timetable in scheduling appointments for Health Care Access patients;
there should be no difference in them and their regular patients as
far as scheduling goes.
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What
if a person in my community shows up in my office with the proper
form based on the fact that someone else told them I work with the
program? How am I to know they were referred to me?
Anytime an individual calls the foundation for a referral, a record is maintained as to which physician they were referred to see. You or your staff may call 1-800-950-8233 to verify referrals.
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My practice works by referral only. How can I participate in the program?
The same way you see other patients, by referral only. You would see
patients with problems associated with your field of practice.
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