CONTACT:
LaShannon Spencer, Chief Executive Officer, CHCA
501.517.0842, lspencer@chc ar.org
Seth Blomeley, Communications and Policy Director, CHCA
501.492.8388, sblomeley@chc-ar.org
Community
Health Centers (CHCs) provide high quality, cost-effective, patient-centered
care to vulnerable populations in every corner of our state, especially in
rural communities. In 2019, we saw more than 220,000 patients across Arkansas.
Given
the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, CHCs have an urgent need as we seek to
proactively stem this public health crisis, says LaShannon Spencer, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Health Centers of Arkansas. Our request is two-fold:
1)
We are asking the state to subsidize the cost of individual tests
undergone at CHCs to detect for the Coronavirus. Such assistance is especially
important for our most vulnerable population (seniors and those with other
underlying health issues who make them more susceptible to the disease). Part
of the mission of CHCs is to give medical care to those without insurance or
financial means to pay. But our resources are limited, and the Coronavirus
pandemic threatens to overwhelm our infrastructure.
2) CHCs are requesting that insurance
carriers reimburse ALL CHC clinical locations for telemedicine consultations.
Currently, telemedicine reimbursements are restricted to rural areas (such as
Mount Ida, DeQueen, and Mena). However, insurance carriers do NOT reimburse for
visits to sites in urban areas, such as Hot Springs or Little Rock.
Why
will this telemedicine billing change help fight Coronavirus?
First, those displaying symptoms that
indicate possible Coronavirus infection could be screened before they show
up a clinic unannounced. This adjustment would help avoid the chances of a
much greater number of infections and community panic. CHC staff need the
ability to refer such patients to the most appropriate treatment location as
efficiently and safely as possible.
Secondly, people in desperate need of care
with unrelated issues may be scared to physically visit their provider out of
fear of being exposed to Coronavirus. A telemedicine consultation will get
these patients, whose illnesses may make them more susceptible to the
Coronavirus, the medical help they need while reducing their risk of exposure.
Taking
a proactive stance will help reduce the future economic impact this pandemic
could have on many of our families, especially those who live paycheck to
paycheck.
CHCs
across the state have coordinated planning efforts to assist staff and at-risk
patients during this trying time. We’re leaders on the front lines of primary
care. In many cases, we are the only medical providers in rural areas and are
best positioned to offer testing for the most vulnerable patients. CHCs can
more efficiently screen patients with possible symptoms before they overwhelm
hospitals requiring even costlier services that the state would be forced to
fund.
CHCs have designated rooms and providers to assist patients when they
arrive into their doors. We are working with our contracted labs to conduct the tests.
Our
goal is to provide the best possible care where for-profit medical providers
avoid. We pride ourselves in serving all segments of society In Arkansas, CHCs
serve 1 in 7 Medicaid beneficiaries, almost 1 in 3 individuals in poverty, and
1 in 5 low-income, uninsured persons. Of our total patient payer mix, 39% is
Medicaid, 15% Medicare, 28% private insurance, and 18% self-pay.
Community
Health Centers of Arkansas, which serves as the state Primary Care Association
for member CHCs in Arkansas, will be establishing a hotline to ensure that
Arkansans are offered guidance on their options in seeking a test for the Coronavirus.
We
stand ready to assist the Administration in any way possible and are more than
willing to discuss additional avenues we can fight this pandemic together.
