“Juana,” a young pregnant woman from Texas, was recently visiting family on vacation. Tragically, during her time here, she suffered a miscarriage. Seeking medical attention, Juana went to a local hospital for care. However, because she did not have medical insurance to cover out-of-state expenses, the hospital recommended she follow up with Greater Family Health.
Juana was seen by a family practice provider at Greater Family Health, who determined that she needed to see an OB/GYN for a procedure. Unfortunately, Greater Family Health could not perform the procedure she required, so she was given a referral for specialty services. The referral was to a resource that accepted uninsured patients.
The specialty office provided Juana with a cost estimate, but she was unable to pay the amount at that time. Concerned, she reached out to the family practice provider to ask whether her care could be deferred until she returned to Texas. The provider advised her that she should be seen as soon as possible to avoid complications and immediately contacted the Patient Resource Specialist who had processed the original referral, explaining the urgency of the situation.
Unsure how to proceed, the Patient Resource Specialist consulted with their Lead and Director. It was recommended that Juana be referred to a nonprofit reproductive healthcare agency for assistance or further referrals, as they might have additional options that Greater Family Health did not. The Patient Resource Specialist researched and discovered a clinic that stated they could provide the procedure Juana needed. Depending on her financial situation, the cost might be covered under a foundation grant.
Juana was contacted immediately and provided with the clinic’s contact information. Within the next two days, she was scheduled and seen.
In the midst of a deeply painful and personal loss, Juana was met with compassion, urgency, and teamwork. The coordinated efforts of Providers, Patient Resource Specialists and their managers ensured that she received the care she needed without delay. At Greater Family Health, we understand the obstacles uninsured patients face. Our team of Patient Resource Specialists are always looking for added resources to ensure proper and affordable care can be obtained by our patients.
