Overview
In the
As medical providers we have always been helpful and concerned about those within our community who lack medical insurance and money for health care. We are a community (and nation) in crisis that needs all the help available. Local medical providers, staff, and citizens from
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get my forms customized for free?
Simply Contact Us at customize@vhctoday.org
2. What if the patient already has a Primary Medical Doctor (“PMD”)?
Appropriate notes will be sent to that provider in a timely fashion.
3. What if the patients have been terminated from practices, secondary to unpaid bills, etc?
This should be a very infrequent occurrence and each provider can make their own decision.
4. How will staff know if a patient has insurance?
Staff must ensure the VHC Today application’s “Insurance” section has been marked as “Yes” or “No.” Your computer may have that information.
5. What if the patient has private insurance or Medicare but simply cannot afford the co-pay?
We cannot refuse to treat patients. The emphasis of VHC Today is free care to those without insurance. Each provider can make their own decision to write off the co-pay if the patient is eligible, otherwise bill the patient normally.
6. What kind of malpractice insurance is needed?
Part of the novel simplicity of VHC Today is it operates as an extension of each provider’s practice. There probably is no basis for supplemental malpractice insurance. Each provider is advised to use the customizable “sample” letter available for written confirmation from your insurer no supplemental insurance is needed.
7. What about chronic conditions?
Time constraints will likely not allow for treatment of chronic conditions requiring regular/frequent visits. A patient will receive the best care possible during any visit. For ongoing care of a chronic condition a patient should be referred to local sources that can assist them further.
8. What if specialty care like Orthopedics, Dermatology, Cardiology, ENT, Dentistry, etc. is needed?
Appropriate referrals will be made. It will be up to the patient to follow up with the referral. We hope that as VHC Today grows specialists will volunteer too.
9. What if all partners in a group do not want to participate?
This is a 100% volunteer program. Private arrangements should be made for overhead not shared by all within your group.
10. What about pharmaceutical samples?
Pharmaceutical samples can be provided at your discretion. Please ask reps for additional samples for your VHC Today program.There is a sample letter you can use to ask for more samples.
11. What about high abuse potential medications?
When you are the attending doctor, it is your clinical decision. Typically, these medications are provided only with thorough documentation or in an acute situation.
12. What about equipment and supplies versus volunteer time?
Significant hard cost items provided, e.g., casts, splints, injections, etc. can be offered at cost plus 10% [ten percent].
13. What about med refills?
This is up to the discretion of each provider. Options include requiring a “pay” visit and establishing a PMD relationship, faxing in a refill, or requiring a patient return to the next VHC Today session before any refill.There is no guarantee a particular patient will be able to be seen at the next busy Sunday scheduled clinic.
14. What about lab tests?
Within the office simple lab tests like hemoglobin, protime, urine, etc. can be offered for free. Hospital and outside lab tests must be billed to the patient. You can also ask local hospitals to offer discount rates for VHC Today patients.
15. What if medical action is needed before the next VCH Today session?
Names of providers for follow-up can be offered, but regular charges would then prevail. VHC Today patients know there are not free VHC Today practice hours every day. You can contact local organizations to assist patients in determining eligibility for follow-up care and/or government insurance, etc. Patients can also be referred to any sliding scale or non-profit free clinics in your area.
16. Who keeps records?
Records are kept as they are for any patient: A copy for the office, a copy to a patient’s PMD, or even a copy to the next VHC Today primary care provider on the schedule.
17. Can patients come in for free VHC Today care every two weeks?
Yes. Our purpose is to provide as much care as our volunteer time allows. If patients want to be seen during non-VHC Today hours, standard charges and billing will apply.
18. Where will services be performed?
This is up to the doctor providing the VHC Today program in their community. Services are typically at a provider’s regular office where the routine is familiar to the doctor and volunteer staff.
19. What will the ad copy say? An ad copy is expected to identify the name of provider, along with the date, place, and time
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20. How are appointments prioritized and scheduled?
No appointments are accepted. It will be first come, first serve.
21. What if an emergency comes up for the provider and he/she unable to provide services?
Cancel and place a polite sign on the door.
22. What if more patients show up than can be seen during advertised VHC Today hours?
A participating office will have the option to close the clinic for new patients (stop them at the door, apologize, but try not to have them sit for an hour+ only to tell them they cannot be seen that day). Example: If at 1 ½ hours into a 3 hour session there are 15 patients waiting and you know that will take up the remaining time, politely refer additional new patients to another session. Adaptations can be made as circumstances dictate.
23. What if there is a greater demand for services than the hours offered can handle?
The clinic could, if volunteer staff is available, be held more frequently.
24. How will the patients know when and where VHC Today practice hours are going to be held?
There will be an ad placed in the local paper the Wednesday before the Sunday.
25. Does VHC Today accept donations?
No. Currently VHC Today is not a separate legal entity.
26. What is expected of VHC Today patients?
A volunteer service form will be offered and explained. Please remember we are treating all patients with the utmost respect. There is no such thing as compulsory volunteering!
If you have any questions please Contact Us.
Thank you. Scott Holland, & all VHC Today Volunteers
