Plan by doctors to help Hall's uninsured

GAINESVILLE - The Hall County Medical Society has embarked on an initiative aimed at improving access to health care for uninsured adults.

The Health Access Initiative (HAI) will target adults who are indigent but do not qualify for Medicaid or other programs. Patient eligibility will be determined by screening "interview and income" documentation.

Sixty-five doctors representing eighteen specialities have joined to date, according to the medical society.

The initiative will link participating providers in the Gainesville area and enrolled patients through a central clearinghouse. Those providers are expected to include volunteer office-based physicians, the Hall County Health Department, Good News Clinic, and the emergency room at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

HAI will provide medication assistance; ancillary services; speciality referrals through a physician network; and, a year-end report of the value of individual doctor services.

Doctors are being asked to join the HAI network, choose the number of patients they will see each month at no charge (average 2 or 3 per month), and, support HAI's mission to care for the uninsured by sponsoring The Medical Center Golf Open 2004, all proceeds of which will go to HAI.