According to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2017, more than 28 million Americans didn’t have health insurance. In 2018 and beyond, this number is expected to skyrocket, since there’s no longer a healthcare mandate requiring insurance coverage.
Many people choose not to carry health insurance because they can’t afford the high deductibles that most plans come with. For people who can’t afford high deductibles, the cost of a medical procedure can be a huge financial burden. This causes many people to delay critical procedures, resulting in even more health problems (and increasing long-term costs exponentially).
That’s why we created our Patient Assist program — to leverage the experience of our team to negotiate and bundle provider services, resulting in discounted all-inclusive rates. Think of it as insurance for the uninsured.
Below, you’ll learn how New Choice Health’s Patient Assist program works, from start to finish.
Who qualifies for Patient Assist?
The Patient Assist program is available to patients who are:
- Uninsured
- Under-insured
- On high-deductible insurance plans (who want to seek care outside of their health plan)**
Patient Assist is ideal for healthy patients in need of routine, low-risk procedures. Not sure if you qualify? Applying is quick and free.
What procedures can I use Patient Assist for?
While more procedures will be added, we currently focus on four popular medical procedures. These include:
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopy
- Gallbladder surgery
- Hernia repair surgery
- Spine surgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Gynecological surgery
How does Patient Assist work?
Patient Assist is not intended to replace having health insurance. Instead, it’s a stand-alone program that helps patients afford the care they need. Once you apply to the Patient Assist program, the entire process can happen in as little as a week, since most of our providers offer same day and next day procedures. We cannot accommodate emergency needs. Patients with an emergency should call 911.
Here’s a breakdown of each step you’ll go through with Patient Assist — from application to recovery. Keep in mind, you’ll have a Patient Assist Care Coordinator helping you every step of the way.
1. Apply for the Patient Assist program
When you’re ready to apply for Patient Assist, all you have to do is fill out a short application. This application asks for basic information like your full name, date of birth, email address, and phone number. You’ll also need to select which type of procedure you need.
You can find the Patient Assist application here.
2. Schedule an initial consultation with a Care Coordinator
A Care Coordinator will receive your application and contact you to set up a time to talk on the phone. The first thing your Care Coordinator will do is confirm that you are eligible to participate in the Patient Assist program.
Then, your Care Coordinator will:
- Review your medical needs
- Go over the price of the procedure
- Find out if you need special financing (more on that below)
- Match you with a high-quality healthcare provider who has experience doing the procedure you need
- Answer any questions you have about the program or your procedure
3. Complete your medical forms
Once your Care Coordinator has determined your needs and matched you with a provider, you’ll begin completing medical forms. These are the forms that your doctor will need to schedule your procedure; they allow your doctor to screen your health history prior to scheduling an appointment. This helps them make sure they’re a good fit to handle your procedure, as well as alerts them of any possible diagnostic tests that may be needed.
Your Care Coordinator can help you complete the forms over the phone, or they can email you a copy to complete online.
4. Apply for financing, if needed
Even with Patient Assist, some patients worry about whether or not they’ll be able to afford their medical procedure.
We’ve partnered with CareCredit to bring you an additional payment option. With short- and long-term financing options at either no or low interest, this can be a great way to supplement the cost of your medical procedure. To qualify for CareCredit, you do have to apply separately. Before you do, it’s best to talk to a Patient Assist Care Coordinator to find out how much your procedure will actually cost.
5. Schedule your procedure
Once the forms are completed, you’ll be put in touch with the provider you were matched with. But there’s nothing you have to do at this point—just sit back and wait for them to reach out to you to schedule your procedure. This typically happens within two business days. Some providers even allow your Care Coordinator to schedule your appointment for you. They’ll let you know if this is an option.
6. Pay your Patient Assist bill
Once your appointment is scheduled, Patient Assist will send you a bill. This bill will be due before your scheduled appointment. Don’t worry—you won’t receive any surprise bills from Patient Assist. You’ll know exactly what you owe before you get the bill. If you have any questions about your bill, you can reach out to your Care Coordinator for assistance.
After you’ve made your payment, your doctor’s office receives authorization from Patient Assist to continue with the scheduled consultation/procedure.
7. Have your procedure
Once your appointment is scheduled with your provider and your bill is paid through Patient Assist, you’ll be ready to have your procedure.
Each person, and each procedure is different, so your doctor will provide you with any pre- and post-procedure instructions you need to follow. Again, if you’re unsure of what to do, contact your Care Coordinator. They’re here to help!
8. Your Care Coordinator will follow up with you
After your procedure is completed, your Care Coordinator will check in with you. They’ll ask about your experience and make sure you were given excellent care. At this time, you can ask any additional questions you have.
As you can tell, using Patient Assist is easy! Your Care Coordinator is there for you the entire time—via phone, email, or text message. It’s their goal to make the process smooth and clear, while addressing any concerns or questions along the way.
Ready to find out if you qualify, so you can save money and get the care you need?
(** – provider options are limited for patients in this category.)
