Causes You Can Support
A cause worth supporting: Free care for our neighbors in need
In many communities, there are free health clinics. If you don’t have insurance, you can go to those clinics for primary care from a physician who is often volunteering his or her time.
The Randolph community does not have such a resource. There is no standalone free clinic with volunteer doctors. You can, however, go to any provider at Gifford Medical Center for any needed health service and receive the same high-quality care as every other patient.
Years ago, Randolph did have one of those standalone free clinics, but in 1997 the clinic joined Gifford to provide seamless care and remove any stigma that comes with visiting a free clinic.
“We were the first integrated clinic in the state of Vermont,” notes David Sanville, Gifford’s vice president of finance. “The doctors are basically ‘insurance blind.’” They don’t know who qualifies for free care, who has Medicaid or who has more traditional insurance. All receive the same care, regardless of ability to pay.
And, patients can still receive help accessing insurance, social services and financial assistance programs that existed under the free health clinic model through a continuing program now called Health Connections.
Championed and almost solely run by grant-funded caseworker Michele Packard, Health Connections is part of the Vermont Coalition of Clinics for the Uninsured. Michele visits patients at their bedside, in the Emergency Department, talks to them by phone, meets with them in her office in the Gifford Patient Financial Services Department and reaches out to them before a big bill lands at their feet.
She signs them up for insurance and assistance programs, finds them a dentist, prescription drug cost help, transportation to appointments, and helps them access Gifford’s Affordable Care Program, which each year gives hundreds of thousands of dollars in free and reduced care to community members in need.
“Michele can pretty much find anything for anyone,” says Gail Bourassa, Gifford director of patient access and financial services. While they may not see Michele’s remarkable legwork behind the scenes, patients appreciate the financial help and peace of mind she provides.Lisa Sargeant, a senior caregiver from Tunbridge, has worked with Michele for years. “Once upon a time, I was having trouble making ends meet,” Lisa says. Michele helped her access insurance, understand her bills and most recently get on a lower cost medication plan.
“She’s phenomenal. Anytime I’ve had insurance issues, she’s been there. She’s like a big sister to me. She always has an answer to everything. I don’t freak out. I have peace of mind. I consider her part of my family,” says Lisa, noting Michele even found lower cost medications for her chronically ill cat.
George Rich of Randolph was hospitalized at Gifford in 2010 following his third operation. The down time gave him plenty of opportunity to think. About being out work. About his Main Street apartment and commercial building being gutted by fire, including the loss of his own apartment. And about the medical bills that must be piling up.
“I was worried,” he says.
Michele came to his bedside, listened to his concerns and went away to do a bit of calculating.
“She came back two hours later all smiles. She said you owe the hospital 40 bucks.” After a summer of turmoil, George was relieved.
During the hospital’s 2010 fiscal year, it provided a total of $701,280 in free care to patients like George. To support free care at Gifford, click the “Donate online” tab to the left and then choose the “free care” option.
