Medical
Assistance
Answers to Commonly Asked Questions
Click a question to go directly
to it.
What
Services Do We Provide?
Shepherd’s Hope provides the kind
of health care services you would expect to receive in a family
practice
setting. Examples of illnesses commonly treated are upper respiratory
infections, skin disorders, gynecological concerns, and urinary
tract infections.
Shepherd’s Hope is not designed to serve
as a permanent primary medical home for patients. Our goal is
to provide basic, acute, non-emergency medical care, including
some diagnostic testing for patients who do not have a regular
source of care. Once patients have been treated, we help them
find a permanent medical home, whenever possible.
Shepherd’s Hope does NOT handle emergencies.
Patients with medical emergencies should go to the nearest hospital
emergency room.
Shepherd’s Hope does NOT provide obstetrical
care or well baby care, such as child immunizations.
Shepherd’s Hope does NOT handle Workman’s
Compensation cases.
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Who
is Eligible to Receive Medical Care?
Men, women and children
of all ages are eligible to receive medical care at Shepherd’s
Hope if they meet the following criteria:
- Patients must be uninsured
- Patients cannot receive Medicaid
or Medicare assistance*
- Have family income at or below
200% of the Federal Poverty Level
Trained volunteers at each health center meet
individually with patients to determine if they meet the criteria.
*In some cases patients
with Medicaid Share of Cost may be eligible for Shepherd’s
Hope if they have not met their monthly deductible.
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How Much Does It Cost?
All medical care is provided by volunteers at
no charge to the patients.
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How Do I Make An Appointment?
Patients are seen
at Shepherd’s Hope on
a walk-in basis, although some follow-up visits may be scheduled.
Shepherd’s Hope patients are encouraged to arrive
early but no earlier than one hour before the center opens,
since the facilities are NOT available until
the volunteer staff arrive. Because all medical care is provided
by volunteers, Shepherd’s Hope cannot guarantee that all
patients will be seen. Patients who cannot be treated will be
given a list of alternate providers and health centers.
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What Do I Need to Bring with
Me?
No special
paperwork is required.
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What If I Need Diagnostic
Testing?
Shepherd’s Hope partners with area hospitals
that donate laboratory and radiology services for patients referred
from Shepherd’s Hope. However, not all tests are covered
under the partnership agreement. When necessary, a Shepherd’s
Hope volunteer medical provider may recommend medical tests or
procedures that have not been donated. In these instances, non-donated
procedures are the financial responsibility of the patient.
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What If I Need To See
a Specialist?
Shepherd’s Hope does not provide specialty
or secondary care. However, we work closely with other agencies
including area hospitals, Special Care, Inc., Florida Hospital
Women’s Center, and other providers to help patients receive
secondary care services when needed. Patients may be responsible
for paying for secondary services.
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What About Medicines?
Shepherd’s Hope
makes every effort to maintain a large supply of donated medicines
used to treat common illnesses.
When available, donated medicines are provided free of charge
to patients. If patients require a medication that has not been
donated, the licensed practitioner will write a prescription that
can be filled at a local pharmacy. These prescriptions are always
the financial responsibility of the patient.
Shepherd’s
Hope does NOT maintain or dispense controlled substances such
as narcotics.
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