LRGHealthcare Medical Care Programs

HealthLink

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 20,600 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. Local residency is required. 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. For more information, please call (603) 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 paying 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. Assets, including savings, property, investments, and vehicles will also be considered in determining eligibility. Applicants may have an insurance plan, but must have demonstrated difficulty paying their copays, deductibles, or other healthcare costs. For more information, please call (603) 527-7171.

Catastrophic Program (Available to Insured and Uninsured Patients)

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 30% - 40%); 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.

VetLink

The VetLink Program is a LRGHealthcare program that assists all veterans and families of veterans with their questions and concerns about their healthcare. The VA system is complicated, and VetLink can help veterans navigate the system to access the benefits and services that they deserve. Since its creation, VetLink has helped more than 800 veterans access the healthcare services they need.

Eligibility: All veterans who have earned an honorable discharge from military service are eligible. For more information, please call VetLink at LRGHealthcare at (603) 524-3211, ext. 6568.

The Medication Connection

The Medication Connection Program helps qualified patients access reduced-rate prescriptions offered through pharmaceutical company programs. While these programs are available to the general public, they often involve a cumbersome application process, which can be confusing for patients to complete on their own. The Medication Connection Program is here to help make sure patients don’t have to choose between prescription medications and other necessities of life.

Eligibility: The Medication Connection Program is available to those who cannot afford to pay for their prescription medications, and who have no other source for assistance with medications. Many have too much income to qualify for state aid, but not enough to purchase a supplemental prescription plan. Depending on the medication needed, different pharmaceutical companies have individual guidelines for eligibility. Not all medications are available through this program; participation by pharmaceutical companies is voluntary. For more information, please call (603) 527-7011.

The Patient Advantage Program (for Insured Patients)

Out-of-pocket costs for healthcare can be expensive even for patients who have health insurance. The Patient Advantage Program was created to ensure that our patients with health insurance could receive a discount on out-of-pocket costs, in addition to the discount they are already receiving through our contractual agreement with their insurer. Through a prompt payment or credit card payment arrangements, patients can access anywhere from an 8% to a 15% discount on their out-of-pocket costs for any hospital or practice services. Designed to connect patients with the hospital before a scheduled procedure, the Patient Advantage Program ensures that patients will have their financial questions answered in advance, and that they will know what their out-of-pocket costs will be. It also provides an opportunity to connect patients with any other programs or services for which they may be eligible, including HealthLink.

Eligibility: All patients with insurance are eligible for the Patient Advantage Program, and may access a 15% discount by paying or pre-authorizing credit card payment before service, at the time of service, or within 48 hours of discharge. They may also access a 10% discount by paying their balance in full within 20 days of their first statement date; or an 8% discount by setting up a credit card payment plan within 20 days of their first statement date.

The Patient Advantage Plus Program (for Uninsured Patients)

The Patient Advantage Plus Program provides an automatic discount of 30 percent off of hospital bills for those without insurance. This program applies regardless of prompt payment. Patient Advantage Plus was created to make sure our patients without insurance could access discounts that are comparable to the discounts provided to our insured patients (through combined insurer and prompt-pay discounts). Through Patient Advantage Plus, patients who don’t have insurance are also eligible for an interest-free payment plan (in accordance with LRGHealthcare guidelines) to cover their out-of-pocket costs for hospital services.

Eligibility: The Patient Advantage Plus Program is available to all patients who do not have health insurance, regardless of whether they apply for financial assistance. If they apply and financially qualify for financial assistance through the HealthLink Program, they may be eligible for a higher discount (in place of, but not in addition to, the Patient Advantage Plus discount).

Payment Plans

Planning for healthcare costs can be difficult, and sometimes these costs can arise unexpectedly. Whether you are insured or uninsured, whether or not you qualify for our other assistance programs—we understand that you may have difficulty paying your healthcare costs in full at the time of service or in a lump sum. We are happy to work with any patient to set up a payment plan in accordance with guidelines established by the LRGHealthcare Board of Trustees.

Eligibility: We are happy to work with any patient who is having difficulty paying his or her healthcare expenses. For more information, please e-mail or call Patient Customer Service at customerservice@lrgh.org or (603) 527-2864.

Referrals to Other Resources

We are fortunate to live in a region with a network of providers and services working together to ensure healthcare access for all in our community. If you face financial challenges to paying for healthcare that you need, or someone in your family needs, please call us at (603) 527-7171. There are a number of Federal, State, and local resources for which you may qualify. Our staff is familiar with the programs available, and can help you determine the best way to access financial assistance to pay for the healthcare you need.