HEALTHLINK OFFERS HELPING HAND IN DIFFICULT TIMES

Providing Healthcare Access to the Uninsured and Underinsured

LACONIA & FRANKLIN: In these difficult economic times, access to health insurance is becoming a challenge to more people every day. While businesses are doing their best to maintain coverage for their employees, the combination of layoffs and the growing need to reduce benefits has left many struggling to maintain health coverage for themselves and their families.

In this community, we are fortunate to have the HealthLink program to assist our friends and neighbors who might need a helping hand with their healthcare expenses during difficult times.

HealthLink is our community’s front door to healthcare information and resources for everyone. It is an information and referral system that provides healthcare financial counseling and access to medical, dental, and wellness services for those in financial need.

HealthLink is a partnership between LRGHealthcare, local physicians and medical providers, and area service agencies. Since our creation in 1993, we have helped to connect more than 26,000 people in the Lakes and Three Rivers regions to the services they need, both locally and through programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Healthy Kids, and services available to veterans through the Veteran’s Administration.

In addition to the information and referral services that are available free-of-charge to everyone in the community, HealthLink also has three membership programs for which local residents may apply.

HealthLink Access
The HealthLink Access program is a program designed to provide people who are uninsured with access to the healthcare services they need. If a person qualifies, he or she will be given a co-pay responsibility or a set discount based upon a sliding fee scale, and will then have access to providers and services in the HealthLink network.

Eligibility: Eligibility is based on several factors. Applicants must meet income requirements based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and residency requirements. In general, they cannot have access to health insurance, though consideration may be given based on income level in some cases in which insurance is available but unaffordable. Assets, including savings, property, investments, and vehicles will also be considered in determining eligibility, though some home equity or retirement savings exclusions are allowed. For more information or an application, please visit our website at www.lrgh.org, or call 527-7171.

HealthLink Assistance
The HealthLink Assistance Program is designed for people who may have access to insurance; but still meet HealthLink financial guidelines and face financial hardship in paying for their healthcare costs. Members may have difficulty meeting a high deductible or covering co-payments or other costs required by their plan. They often need one-time or short-term assistance meeting a healthcare financial obligation rather than needing long-term financial assistance. HealthLink Assistance will provide short-term supplemental support to an existing insurance plan; or short-term support to assist with a particular healthcare cost. This program was formerly known as Community Care.

Eligibility: Eligibility is based on several factors. Applicants must meet income requirements based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and residency requirements. Assets including savings, property, investments, and vehicles will also be considered in determining eligibility, though some home equity or retirement savings exclusions are allowed. Applicants may have an insurance plan, but must have demonstrated difficulty paying their copays, deductibles, or other healthcare costs. For more information or an application, please visit our website at www.lrgh.org, or call 527-7171.

HealthLink Catastrophic
The HealthLink Catastrophic program is available not only to HealthLink Access or Assistance members, but to anyone meeting financial guidelines who incurs an out-of-pocket expense of $10,000 or more for a single medically-necessary hospital stay or outpatient treatment. Costs incurred over time do not qualify as part of this $10,000 minimum unless they are all the result of a single injury or health episode. Once a patient qualifies for HealthLink Catastrophic, and discount eligibility is determined (ranging from 20% - 30%); that discount will apply for any additional costs meeting the definition of catastrophic incurred during the six months after approval.

Eligibility: HealthLink Catastrophic eligibility is based solely on gross income. The Federal Poverty Level Guidelines will be used to determine eligibility and the percentage of discount provided. Our staff will determine whether costs resulted from a single, qualifying hospitalization or course of treatment. For more information or an application, please visit our website at www.lrgh.org, or call 527-7171.

Everyone needs a helping hand from time to time. If you need information or referrals for healthcare services, or if cost is a barrier to you receiving the healthcare services you need, please call HealthLink at 527-7171 today.

On August 17, 2009, LRGHealthcare will once again be holding our Annual Golf Classic, presented by Laconia Savings Bank, to benefit the HealthLink program. The tournament will be held at the beautiful Laconia Country Club, and will feature morning and afternoon rounds and a shotgun start. For sponsorship information, to download a registration form, or to learn more about the tournament, please visit our website at www.lrgh.org or call 737-1042 today!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of Public Relations & Marketing
80 Highland Street
Laconia, NH 03246
Phone (603) 737-1041
Fax (603) 737-1027