Q: How do I become a participating physician or dentist?
A. Simply fill out the provider profile form. Clink on the link below to download the form in Microsoft Word format. You may also obtain one by contacting Hope at 345-2411. Please mail or fax it back upon completion.

Hope Provider Profiles and Information for Physicians and Dentists

Q: When will I receive my first patient referral and who sets up the appointment?
A: The Hope Medical or Dental Coordinator will call your office to request to speak with the "contact person" you have selected to act as the liaison between our office and you. At this time we can address any questions you may have about how the patient referral process works.

Q: How can I be assured that I will not get more than my fair share of nonpaying patients?
A: Some providers by virtue of specialty or location might see more patient than others in a year. However, every time a referral comes to Hope, we rotate through the list of participating physicians to make appointments.

Q: If I see a Hope patient at no charge for the initial visit under the guidelines of the services, am I then able to bill that patient for subsequent visits?
A: Your commitment in accepting a referral through Hope is to see that patient once and for follow-up care if surgery is required. Arrangements for subsequent visits are between you and the patient. However, if you decide to continue contributing cart to the patient, Hope would like to "credit" you with that service.

Q: What happens if the patient needs prescription medications?
A: Through the cooperation with area clinics and health centers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, various products are made available to Hope patients depending upon the clinic or health center. Physicians may write a prescription on their own pad, but the patient will need to have the referral provider sign off on the prescription to help the referring provider understand the outcome of the visit.  Dentisits may write a prescription on their own pad but must contact the Hope Dental Coordinator.

Q: If I see a patient who needs lab work done, diagnostic test or surgery how is this handled?
A: Generally, donating physicians and dentists also donate the lab work done in their own office/clinic; certain referring clinics and health centers have arrangements for their patients for lab work. If a diagnostic test or surgery is required we ask that you call the Hope Medical or Dental Coordinator to schedule the test, procedure or surgery. In this way we can be certain that the referring clinic is aware of the need and that the tests and surgical care can be provided with no or minimal charge to the patient.

Q: If I become a Hope volunteer partner and think that I am getting over-loaded with patients what can I do?
A: Call the Medical or Dental Coordinator immediately. Hope has protocols in place to ensure that this does not occur.

Q: Is there any special malpractice insurance in place that would limit my liability if a malpractice claim is filed against me by a Hope patient?
A: No special liability insurance is available at this time. Partner/volunteer physicians and dentist liability insurance for you or your practice generally covers volunteer service. In the five years of operating as a corporation, no patient has every filed a malpractice claim and the issue has never presented itself.

Q: How do I communicate the results and findings from my visit with the patient?
A: When an appointment is made with your office, a copy of the referral form is faxed to you and the referring clinic is noted. Outcomes, findings and results should be sent by letter to the referring clinic.

Q: How do I know that the patient is really in need?
A: Patients of referring clinics and health centers to Hope undergo a screening and eligibility review process with each patient. Eligibility for Medicaid, Douglas County General Assistance Primary Health Care Network, Medicare, Disability, Every Woman Matters and other programs are routine. Referrals are also reviewed by Hope.

Physicians and hospitals are always called upon to provide medical care for patients who cannot afford it. Hope helps manage that care by making the best use of resources, benchmarking care that is donated and reporting to the community at large.

By assisting uninsured patients to connect with a medical home, a way to get prescriptions at affordable costs, receive specialty, surgical care and meet immediate dental needs, Hope promotes prevention and health management. Hope also keeps uninsured patients out of the emergency room, the place they traditionally turn to for their medical needs. This mechanism is a more efficient way to treat non-emergency patients and means millions of dollars in savings to hospitals, health professionals, business and taxpayers.