The REACH Program
HELPING THE UNINSURED IN ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
In December 1999, the Anne Arundel County Department of Health partnered with the County Medical Society to develop REsidents Access to a Coalition of Health. The goal of the REACH program is to increase the availability of primary and specialty health care services for the County’s growing number of uninsured. Since its inception, more than 920 County physicians and health care providers have provided approximately $27 million worth of charity care to eligible County residents.
Through a coordinated network of office and hospital based services, REACH facilitates the provision of affordable health care to uninsured working adults, using the services of a Department of Health administrator and six case managers.
Constructed as a fee-for-service program with discounted fees for physician, lab, X-ray, pharmacy care and ancillary services, the program serves as an alternative option to emergency room care for the uninsured. Both County hospitals, Calvert Memorial Hospital in Prince Frederick and Harbor Hospital in Baltimore City participate in the program. The program’s design features limited paperwork from participating providers. Participating physicians can determine the number of REACH patients they are willing to see and they can refer uninsured patients in their practice for enrollment. Patients who enroll in REACH must meet the following requirements:
Anne Arundel County residency
19 to 64 years of age
no health insurance coverage, and
earnings of less than 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
Patients are allowed to choose any participating primary care physician and are issued a REACH card that lists their discounted fees for office visits and procedures. Providers are asked to fax a one-page encounter form back to the Department of Health, where case managers are on hand to assist the patients with any referrals requested by their primary care physician.
Chosen as a “model practice” nationwide by the National Association of County and City Health Officials and an Innovations in Government awardee by the American Society of Public Administration – Maryland, REACH has provided care to more than 9,100 County residents.
If you have any questions regarding the REACH program and its operation, or are interested in helping with the program, call 410-222-4531 or fax the Physician Information Sheet (available by clicking here) (pdf) to FAX 410-222-4533.
More information, click here.