TLC Health Card Helping the Uninsured
Help for the uninsured is finally here. TLC Health Network, in partnership with Health Transaction Network, is launching the Health Card program which allows consumers the ability to access routine health and wellness services at TLC Health locations at discounted prices. The Health Card is a pay-as-you-go program that takes the uncertainty out of accessing important primary care services.
Services such as annual physical exams, annual mammograms, routine blood work, dental cleanings and fillings, and generic prescription drugs are samplings of the types of services available in the program. “So many in our region are faced with difficult choices when they do not have health insurance, many times foregoing important health screenings and routine diagnostic services” explains Kendrick Bentham, VP of Marketing & Community Relations. She added, “We are able to discount the cost of these services when we do not have the expense of billing the insurance company which makes it a win-win proposition for the consumer and TLC Health.”
TLC Health operates three primary care clinic services at locations in Forestville, Gowanda, and Conewango Valley where consumers can access a primary care practitioner for their routine health care needs, such as annual physicals and well/sick visits for adults and children. “In many cases, the uninsured do not have an established physician making access to primary care difficult,” notes Bentham. With the Health Card, such individuals can make an appointment to see a primary care practitioner and then access the diagnostic procedures and/or the generic prescriptions necessary. TLC Health also operates a dental clinic in Gowanda where similar routine care can be accessed with the Health Card also at discounted prices on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Anyone is eligible to sign up for a TLC Health Card at the annual enrollment fee of $10. “It is really important for consumers to understand that this is not an insurance program,” said Bentham. The Health Card utilizes biometric technology to quickly and securely identify the patient at any of the participating locations. “The pay-as-you-go concept means that payment is due at the time the service is rendered either with cash, credit or a debit card transaction,” Bentham said.
TLC Health will offer two enrollment sessions in March. The first will be at Tri-County Memorial Hospital (Gowanda) on Tuesday, March 10, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the patient waiting room and the second at Lake Shore Health Care Center (Irving) on Thursday, March 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the employee dining room. No appointments are necessary and enrollment takes only a few minutes to complete. Customer services representatives will be available throughout these enrollment periods to discuss the benefits of the program and to issue Health Cards for those interested in participating. Enrollees over the age of 16 will require two forms of identification, one being picture ID such as a driver’s license, and the $10 enrollment fee. TLC Health will offer free blood pressure screenings during both enrollment sessions as an added benefit.
While everyone talks about doing something about the problems faced by the uninsured, TLC Health is actually doing some about it.
For more information about the TLC Health Card, please feel free to contact the Community Relations Department at 951-7041.
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