How it works for Physicians | How it works for Dentists | Flow Chart

How it works for Physicians

Clinic Volunteers

1. Physicians desiring to contribute time and expertise at a clinic or health center are matched with are needs. Usually you will be scheduled once every other month or one time a month depending on your preference and availability. Either the clinic or Hope will confirm your scheduled time. All you need to do is go to the clinic or health center on the day and at the assigned time. The clinic or health center does the rest-administrative and nursing support, supplies and reporting of patients served to Hope. You will need to advise Hope if you know you will be unable to volunteer during your assigned time. The Hope Medical Referral Coordinator can be reached at 345-2400 ext. 213.

Specialty Care Volunteers

1. Hope Medical Outreach Coalition’s Medical Program receives written (faxed) referrals from clinics for care beyond the scope of practice of the clinic or provider. Referring clinics currently include:

• Charles Drew Health Center
  
• Charles Drew Health Center Homeless Satellite Clinic
  
• Hope/Charles Drew Clinic at Siena/Francis House
  
• Council Bluffs Community Health Center
  
• One World Community Health Center (Indian Chicano Health Center)
  
• Family Health Care Center (and SONA clinic)
  
• UNMC Community Health Center
  
• Frank LeRoy-Ponca Health and Wellness Center
  
• Salvation Army ARC Clinic
  
• On occasion referrals are accepted from other sources for eligible patients.
  
  

1. Referring clinics are responsible for screening all patients and verifying income to ensure that only low-income uninsured (those at or below 200% of the federal poverty level), not eligible for other healthcare programs are referred to Hope. Hope also reviews eligibility.
   
   
2. Hope contacts participating volunteer physicians based on the specialty requested by the referring clinic on a rotating basis, with the intent of each physician seeing not more than two patients per month. With consideration for both patient needs and physician schedules, an appointment time and date is determined.
   
   
3. Hope informs the referring clinic of the time and date of the patient’s appointment and confirms that arrangements have been made for an interpreter. Hope informs the referring clinics of the need for records as advised by the physician’s office.
   
   
4. If a patient fails to arrive as scheduled or there are any difficulties with the appointment, the volunteer physician or office staff is advised to call Hope at (402) 345-2400 ext. 213.
   
   
   • If a patient misses the appointment, the patient will not be rescheduled with that volunteer provider. Hope will reschedule the patient with another provider. If the patient misses a second appointment, the patient will no longer be eligible to participate in the program.
     
     
   • A parent or guardian must accompany all children under the legal age of maturity to their appointments.
     
     
5. If the participating provider identifies a surgical or other need such as a test or procedure, the provider should contact Hope at (402) 345-2400 ext. 213.
   
   
6. After an appointment is made Hope will send the physician a letter to confirm the appointment and ascertain the value of the service contributed. The value of care donated may be reported on physician tax returns as a charitable contribution and is tracked by Hope in a database.
   
   
7. After the appointment the volunteer specialty physician is responsible for relating any findings to the referring clinic, including needs for medication, additional procedures or appointments.
   
   
8. It is the responsibility of the participating volunteer physician to maintain his/her own malpractice insurance and to ensure that Hope has a current copy. Hope reviews physician volunteer credentials through the Nebraska Credentialing Service.
   
   
9. Patients and referring clinics are asked not to call physician offices directly, but to work through Hope.

>>Click here to download a printable PDF of this information

How it works for Dentists

1. You can volunteer in a health center or your own office. If you choose to volunteer in a health center your desire will be matched with a health centers needs. Hope will inform you about your scheduled date and time. The health center or clinic will provide supplies and dental assistant support. You will need to let the Hope Dental Coordinator know when you are unable to volunteer.
   
   
2. The dental program serves homeless and low-income uninsured individuals who are at 200% or less of poverty for acute dental care (pain relief only at this time) needs.
   
   
3. If you choose to volunteer in your own office, individuals access the dental program through a referring organization. The referring organization will screen the patient for eligibility and perceived need and will make a formal referral to the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition Dental Coordinator at the following fax (402) 356-3511. Referring organizations with an established relationship with Hope Medical Outreach Coalition for dental services currently include: Salvation Army, Siena/Francis House, St. Vincent House, Open Door Mission, Lydia House, Stephen Center, Campus for Hope, Santa Monica House, the Shelters, Serenity House, Community Alliance, Safe Haven, Unity House, Charles Drew Satellite, One World Community Health Center (Indian-Chicano Health Center), Family Health Care Center, Council Bluffs Community Health Center, SONA (Sharing Clinic), Renaissance Center, Ponca Health & Wellness, and Douglas County Health Department.
   
   
4. Upon receipt and review of the referral form, the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition Dental Coordinator will make necessary appointments for the patient at a Hope Medical Outreach Coalition associated dental clinic (One World Community Health Center [Indian Chicano-Health Center], Charles Drew Health Center, Douglas County Dental Clinic), or in the private office of a participating volunteer dentist.
   

a. If it is determined that the patient does not have an acute problem which falls within the scope of Hope’s dental service mission, the referral will be faxed back to the organization with Declined written on it.

b. If it is determined that the patient does have an acute problem which falls within the scope of Hope’s dental service, the Dental Coordinator will then notify the referring organization by fax of the time, date and location of the patient’s appointment.

5. It is the responsibility of the referring organization to provide and confirm the appointment information with the patient, to stress the importance of keeping the appointments, to make arrangements through Hope for transportation for dental services and to arrange any necessary interpretation needs for the patient.

a. A parent or guardian must accompany all children under the age of 18 to their appointments.

6. If the patient is unable to make the appointment, it is the responsibility of the referring organization to call the participating Hope dental clinic or office and the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition Dental Coordinator to cancel the appointment.
   
   
7. If the patient misses the first appointment, the patient will not be rescheduled with that volunteer dental provider. The Hope Dental Coordinator will schedule the patient with a different dental provider. If the patient misses a second appointment, the patient will automatically be dropped from the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition Dental Service Program.
   
   
8. If the referring organization has any questions about scheduled appointments, they can reach the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition Dental coordinator at (402) 345-2400 ext. 211.. The patient is not to contact Hope Medical Outreach Coalition directly; they should direct their contact through the referring organization.
   
   
9. The patient will be required to pay a $10.00 co-pay at the time of each dental visit. Co-pays will not be required of homeless patients.
   
   
10. Funds are available to pay for prescriptions, but funds are limited. Participating dental clinics and providers can either contact the Hope Medical Outreach Pharmacy for prescription needs at (402) 502-5832 or write a prescription on their own pad for the patient to take to the Hope Pharmacy. Patients may use the Hope Pharmacy paying affordable rates.
    
    
11. It is the responsibility of the participating volunteer dentist to maintain his/her own malpractice insurance in accordance with State law and ensure that Hope has a current copy.

How it works for Optometrists

1. You can volunteer in a health center or your own office. If you choose to volunteer in a health center your desire will be matched with a health centers needs. Hope will inform you about your scheduled date and time. The health center or clinic will provide supplies and dental assistant support. You will need to let the Hope Medical Coordinator know when you are unable to volunteer.
2. Hope contacts Optome

>>Click here to download a printable PDF of this information

Revised: 02/26/07