Spartanburg hospitals and health care organizations are forming new partnerships with free medical clinics and nonprofit groups to help provide better medical care for low-income patients.
The effort is part of the state’s Healthy Outcomes Initiative, which launched Oct. 1. The goal of the pilot program is to find ways to help at least 8,511 low-income South Carolina residents live healthier while lowering health care costs. The state Department of Health and Human Services’ website says hospitals may choose their own plan but are required to include a partnership with safety net providers.
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Mary Black Health System and Village Hospital in Greer are working with ReGenesis Health Care, St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic, AccessHealth Spartanburg, the Spartanburg Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission and Spartanburg Mental Health. Their goal is to reach 487 high-risk patients in the county.
“Part of the problem we have in Spartanburg County is that we don’t have enough capacity to care for all of the people who need care,” said Renee Romberger, vice president of Community Health Policy and Strategy at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. “(Hospitals) are investing in expanding capacity and improving our partnerships with safety net providers.”
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Low-income patients with chronic health conditions who have visited hospital emergency rooms four or more times in the past year received letters last month asking them to join the program. They will be connected to organizations that will “help make sure they receive the right health care in the right place,” the letter said. Their involvement is voluntary.
Date: October 12, 2013