Linn County Project Access: A Specialty Care Referral Network
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What's News
In the News
December 25
The Gazette
"Linn doctors signing up to offer care to needy"
December 22
KWWL.com
"New method to help uninsured Iowans"
December 25
The Gazette
"Linn doctors signing up to offer care to needy"
December 22
KWWL.com
"New method to help uninsured Iowans"
Media Releases
March 10, 2009
Patients are now receiving free health care through Linn County Project Access enrolled physicians
The charity care network links patients with specialty health care providers
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, MARCH 10, 2009 – Uninsured, low-income Linn County residents began receiving free health care services in February through specialty health care providers enrolled in Linn County Project Access.
The first patient received breast surgery from an enrolled physician in mid-February. Since then, Project Access patients have been referred to physicians in the specialty areas of nephrology, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, gastroenterology and ear, nose and throat (ENT).
There were 20 patients enrolled as of March 7. Several patients are waiting for treatment until physicians in the following specialties enroll in Project Access: urology, ophthalmology and orthopedics.
Stacia Boots, 59, of Cedar Rapids, was among the first patients to be referred to a Project Access physician. After losing her job and her health insurance, she enrolled in free and government-supported health care programs. It has been a humbling experience to rely on health care services for the first time in her life, she said. But she knows that she has to take care of ongoing health care concerns that include chronic fatigue and chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and allergies or her health will decline.
“I was pleased to see some of my doctors are with Project Access. I hope more doctors jump on board,” Boots said, adding that a knee replacement will likely have to wait until an orthopedist enrolls in Project Access.
Boots is unemployed and became uninsured in December when she could no longer afford to pay the $540 monthly premium for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) health insurance benefits.
To be eligible for Project Access, patients must be residents of Linn County, be uninsured and have an income limit at or below 200% of federal poverty level.
To enroll as a partner health care provider, or for general information about Linn County Project Access, contact Stephanie Neff at (319) 369-8329 or email info@linncountyprojectaccess.com. Information, enrollment forms and a complete list of health care partners are available online at www.linncountyprojectaccess.com.
March 10, 2009
Patients are now receiving free health care through Linn County Project Access enrolled physicians
The charity care network links patients with specialty health care providers
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, MARCH 10, 2009 – Uninsured, low-income Linn County residents began receiving free health care services in February through specialty health care providers enrolled in Linn County Project Access.
The first patient received breast surgery from an enrolled physician in mid-February. Since then, Project Access patients have been referred to physicians in the specialty areas of nephrology, cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, gastroenterology and ear, nose and throat (ENT).
There were 20 patients enrolled as of March 7. Several patients are waiting for treatment until physicians in the following specialties enroll in Project Access: urology, ophthalmology and orthopedics.
Stacia Boots, 59, of Cedar Rapids, was among the first patients to be referred to a Project Access physician. After losing her job and her health insurance, she enrolled in free and government-supported health care programs. It has been a humbling experience to rely on health care services for the first time in her life, she said. But she knows that she has to take care of ongoing health care concerns that include chronic fatigue and chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and allergies or her health will decline.
“I was pleased to see some of my doctors are with Project Access. I hope more doctors jump on board,” Boots said, adding that a knee replacement will likely have to wait until an orthopedist enrolls in Project Access.
Boots is unemployed and became uninsured in December when she could no longer afford to pay the $540 monthly premium for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) health insurance benefits.
To be eligible for Project Access, patients must be residents of Linn County, be uninsured and have an income limit at or below 200% of federal poverty level.
To enroll as a partner health care provider, or for general information about Linn County Project Access, contact Stephanie Neff at (319) 369-8329 or email info@linncountyprojectaccess.com. Information, enrollment forms and a complete list of health care partners are available online at www.linncountyprojectaccess.com.
December 22, 2008
Eleven physicians first to enroll in Linn County Project Access
Specialty health care providers pledge charity care to uninsured adults
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, December 22, 2008 – Linn County physicians are getting on board with Linn County Project Access, a charity health care network that matches eligible uninsured, low-income Linn County adults with health care providers willing to donate services.
Enrolled primary care and specialty physicians are asked to pledge to accept a certain number of Linn County Project Access patients and facilitate a treatment plan for each.
“Gastroenterologists, P.C. has always provided free care for those in need, but our efforts have been limited by the high cost of endoscopic procedures and ancillary testing. Project Access will finally enable us to provide comprehensive specialty care for these patients through a network of participating providers and facilities without cost constraints,” said Dr. Dean Abramson. “Even more exciting is the tracking of referrals and compliance provided by this novel program. More than a stop-gap measure, Project Access is a testament to what health care professionals can accomplish on our own while awaiting the comprehensive reform of the system long promised by our political leaders.”
"We are aware of the many programs available within our community to assist those in need who do not have insurance or are underinsured. Project Access is one such program, and many physicians in the community are just beginning to learn about the program and the value it adds to other programs already in place. We are happy to be able to support this effort,” said Dr. James Levett, speaking of his decision to participate as an individual physician.
“I see Project Access as a very practical opportunity to provide a framework for our community to care for uninsured patients, especially in the realm of specialty care,” Dr. James Bell said. “I think it’s a mandate from our point of view as a service profession to care for the uninsured and underinsured who represent a huge percentage of our population. We cannot ignore calls to care for them.” _________________________________________
Eleven physicians first to enroll in Linn County Project Access
Specialty health care providers pledge charity care to uninsured adults
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, December 22, 2008 – Linn County physicians are getting on board with Linn County Project Access, a charity health care network that matches eligible uninsured, low-income Linn County adults with health care providers willing to donate services.
Enrolled primary care and specialty physicians are asked to pledge to accept a certain number of Linn County Project Access patients and facilitate a treatment plan for each.
“Gastroenterologists, P.C. has always provided free care for those in need, but our efforts have been limited by the high cost of endoscopic procedures and ancillary testing. Project Access will finally enable us to provide comprehensive specialty care for these patients through a network of participating providers and facilities without cost constraints,” said Dr. Dean Abramson. “Even more exciting is the tracking of referrals and compliance provided by this novel program. More than a stop-gap measure, Project Access is a testament to what health care professionals can accomplish on our own while awaiting the comprehensive reform of the system long promised by our political leaders.”
"We are aware of the many programs available within our community to assist those in need who do not have insurance or are underinsured. Project Access is one such program, and many physicians in the community are just beginning to learn about the program and the value it adds to other programs already in place. We are happy to be able to support this effort,” said Dr. James Levett, speaking of his decision to participate as an individual physician.
“I see Project Access as a very practical opportunity to provide a framework for our community to care for uninsured patients, especially in the realm of specialty care,” Dr. James Bell said. “I think it’s a mandate from our point of view as a service profession to care for the uninsured and underinsured who represent a huge percentage of our population. We cannot ignore calls to care for them.” _________________________________________
