Advanced Healthcare Alternatives offering low-cost ER follow-up services

Having to make a trip to a hospital emergency room is one of life's more stressful experiences - it is, after all, an emergency.

For many people, especially those who've recently become unemployed and/or uninsured, the stress is compounded with what they hear in the ER - not a diagnosis of dire illness, but that they'll have to find a way to pay for follow-up visits.

Advanced Healthcare Alternatives Inc. is offering low-cost ER follow-up care for those patients who fall through the cracks, who don't have insurance but don't qualify for Medicaid or free clinics.

"This is our form of health care reform," said Advanced Healthcare Alternatives director Sharon McReynolds.

The program is a creative collaboration between McReynolds and physician assistant Faith Bevan, who came to work at the clinic about a year ago. The two found they approach their work from the same perspective.

"Our motto is we put the care back into health care," McReynolds said.

"Faith came to me with concerns that the people who were leaving the emergency rooms were often coming back because they couldn't afford the follow-up care," McReynolds said. "The hospital would recommend them to a doctor, they'd call the doctor and the doctor would say, 'that'll be $125.' They can't afford that, and it could something as simple as removing stitches."

The pair came up with a plan. Bevan sees patients on Wednesdays and Fridays. As a PA, she can give physicals, order lab work, remove sutures, check wounds and perform other simple procedures. A nurse practitioner is on staff to see patients whose ER visit pertained to mental health issues. The charge for these visits can be as low as $25 for removing sutures.

"Patients that have come in have been absolutely thrilled they can get something that's affordable," McReynolds said. A large number of the patients they have seen so far are those for whom being uninsured and under-funded is a new experience. Even if they do find the clinics or organizations where free medical and mental health care are available, it may be weeks before they can get into a caregiver.

Bevan explained part of what they do is "to make them feel they are as valuable and important as the person who has the good insurance and money."

"A lot of them are made to feel that they are second-class citizens," Bevan said. "And the ones who have always been able to give themselves care but now are faced with 'what do I do now?' there's a real emotional issue."

Bevan takes her time with the patients, offering advice to maintain their health so they won't wind up back in the ER. If other patients have to wait in the lobby, they don't mind because they know they're going to get the same kind of treatment when it's their turn.

One of the most valuable services they provide is to get patients on assistance programs that are available to them. In particular, if the patient has a documented history of a condition requiring regular medication, pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs by which the patients can possibly get their meds at little or no cost.

"Most offices don't spend the time," McReynolds said. "It's a waste of money for them to take the time to get the forms to fill them out to contact the companies."

To qualify for the discounted follow-up care services, patients have to bring proof of financial hardship. ER patients must bring their discharge orders. To get help with medication management, patients need to bring documentation of their condition and current medication bottles. Patients who are unsure if they qualify can call 727-849-2277.

Advanced Healthcare Alternatives is located at 5404 Main St., one block east of U.S 19.