 Project Access NOW has been in operation
since March of this year, with a pharmacy benefit available to patients
since June. In that time, over 200 patients have been enrolled
in Project Access across the region. Others have been connected
to publicly funded health insurance and other resources outside of the
physician volunteer network. The months of June, July and August
show a steady increase in the number of patients enrolled in the program
and we expect that trend to continue.
Referrals have been made to 80 different
clinics across the region (many clinics have more than one physician
participating). The charges for services provided by volunteers and
hospitals are nearly $75,000 through the month of July. All
of the charges have been written off by Project Access NOW volunteers
so patients have not had to pay for these services.
The Pharmacy Bridge - a partnership
with Providence Health Plan and the Coalition of Community Health Clinics
- has since June provided 108 prescriptions
to 30 Project Access NOW patients for a $4 co-pay (in some cases,
the co-pay has been waived). The average cost per prescription
is $16.79 and the average cost per patient is $60.45. Ten patients
have been or are in the process of being connected to pharmaceutical
assistance programs.
In the grand scheme of things, when
we face the overwhelming need in our community day after day, these
numbers can seem quite small to some. The key to any successful
effort is creating a sustainable and meaningful path to service and
change. Project Access NOW is in its early stages and is creating
a sense of shared responsibility, equity, and organization among our
partners. As a community, we all have much work to do on many
levels. Thank you for your continued support of Project Access
NOW as we work together to pave the way for collaboration and growth
within the current health care safety net.
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OHSU and Tuality HealthCare - Early Health System Commitments |
This
month we would like to extend a special thanks to OHSU and Tuality
Healthcare for their early support of Project Access NOW.
With
about 800 physicians working within its system, OHSU committed
several hundred patient slots throughout a wide variety of
specialties to Project Access NOW early on in our effort. As a
result, about half of the referrals in March - June went to OHSU
physicians. We are "sharing the care" more widely as we bring on
more and more physician volunteers - and we still need more!
OHSU's support early on gave us a solid place to start from -
thank you!
Nearly
two years ago, when Project Access NOW was a big idea with little
definition, we set about to build interest among physicians - our
most valuable resource! Dick Stenson, CEO of Tuality HealthCare
arranged and facilitated meetings with several key members of the
Tuality Medical Staff. When the time came to sign up to actually
provide care to Project Access NOW patients, Tuality HealthCare
signed up all of its employed physicians to accept 12 patient
referrals per year. This wholehearted commitment to working
collaboratively has served as an example of leadership throughout the
region - thank you!
We
are fortunate to have excellent partnerships with all of the health
systems in the region - stay tuned to our newsletter for highlights
from other partners in the coming months...
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| Project Access Washington County Update |
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by Katie Ulin, Project Access Washington County
Project Access Washington County celebrates 5 months of successful operation, connecting over 60 enrolled patients to the primary care, specialty care and the ancillary services they need. Project Access Washington County now accepts referrals from the Essential Health Clinic in Hillsboro and Tigard, and Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center in Cornelius.
Project Access Washington County believes that a successful relationship between the physician and patient begins with our care coordination model. From the day a Project Access patient turns in their application, a care coordinator, with whom they've met face to face, helps them to navigate the program. The care coordinator schedules patient appointments, makes reminder calls, and lets the patient know they are free to call with any questions about office visits, pharmacy services, or other concerns. The care coordinator checks in with a patient after every appointment, both to answer patient questions about next steps and to gather information about the continuing services a patient may need.
By laying the foundation of trust with a patient, this model helps to insure that a Project Access patient follows through on his or her responsibilities. To date, only one patient has missed an appointment with a Project Access Washington County physician. By following this care coordination model, Project Access continues to help patients connect to the care they need.
Project Access is always looking for physicians and clinics interested in becoming involved with our program. Our greatest needs currently include urology, ENT, dermatology and orthopedics. All volunteers, primary and specialty care, are always welcome!
Thank you for your support of Project Access!
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| Project Access Multnomah County Update |
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by Tracy Gratto, Project Access Multnomah County
Project Access Multnomah County (PAMC) is six months old! Since launching on March 3, 2008, PAMC is continuing to grow: we have received 145 requests for medical sub specialty referrals, with most in Gastroenterology, Neurology, Orthopedics, and Surgery. Ninety-two patients have been enrolled and referred to specialty care, and 39 applications are pending. Eight percent of applications did not qualify (11 total); we issued 3 secondary specialty referrals to enrolled patients; and we referred 4 patients to other county initiatives.
We are always thrilled to welcome new volunteers: - Women's Health Todayprovides much needed gynecological services.
- Surgical Associates, P.C., offers General, Oncological, Vascular, Laparoscopic, and Thoracic surgery.
- David Schroeder, M.D., of Pacific Heart Associates, P.C., offers Cardiovascular Medicine.
Of course we continue to be grateful for our current volunteers - the 74 group practices and/or individual physicians who are part of Project Access Multnomah County. PAMC is currently recruiting new staff: Enrollment and Eligibility Specialist. We are grateful for all the wonderful people who make Project Access what it is today. Here's to your health!
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The Oregon Community Foundation Supports Project Access NOW
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We are honored to accept $30,000 from
the Evelyn L. Jones Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation and
the Martha Cake Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation to support
our efforts.
The mission of The Oregon Community
Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy.
To achieve this, the Foundation:
- Builds a permanent endowment
for the community through the support of Oregonians
- Sets high professional
standards for the management of charitable gifts
- Provides a broad range
of giving opportunities to meet donor interests
- Assesses conditions throughout
the state and responds with leadership to improve these conditions
- Assists and cooperates
with others in the effective application of charitable resources
- Shares information about
its activities and philanthropic achievements with the community
Project
Access NOW has been invited to request funding again next year and we
look forward to a continued relationship with Oregon Community
Foundation!
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