FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • The GNO region continues to rank among the highest nationally in the rate of uninsured adults at 23%. A 2007 survey conducted by the Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) places the number of uninsured adults in GNO between 90,000 and 120,000. • Another LPHI survey conducted in the spring of 2008 reports that approximately 38,000 uninsured adults of working age are receiving health services through the “safety-net” system (state and federally supported health centers). The remaining 70,000+ uninsured adults are unaccounted for. • National studies indicate that one-third of the uninsured live in poverty and another one-third live near poverty (under 200% of Federal Poverty Level). • As a multi-culturally competent health center, NOFHA is capable of providing quality care for people of limited English proficiency who experience communication barriers in other health care settings. HOW IS NOFHA DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS? • NOFHA is inter-denominational in its spiritual orientation. • NOFHA is not seeking to be “all things to all people”. Unlike community health centers that are open to the general public and utilize federal Medicaid and Medicare funds to serve the indigent and uninsured, NOFHA exclusively serves uninsured workers and their families - people that frequently “fall through the cracks” of the health care system. • By electing not to utilize federal funding, NOFHA is not constrained in supporting patients in their use of faith and spirituality in the management of their health and healing. While no one faith tradition dominates, prayer and meditation are encouraged and supported. • Staff recruitment emphasizes employment at NOFHA as the fulfillment of a personal calling, not just a job. WHERE IS NOFHA HEALTH CENTER LOCATED? HOW DOES AN UNINSURED WORKER GAIN ACCESS TO NOFHA SERVICES? • Uninsured workers must enroll to become members of the practice by providing documentation of employment and income and signing an agreement to fully participate in the management of their health. Eligibility is verified at least annually. • NOFHA offers a hand-up not a hand-out. All members pay for medical services. Individual member fees are determined by family income in relation to the center’s sliding fee schedule and payable at the time of service. • Anyone meeting the eligibility criteria may enroll regardless of income. WHAT HAPPENS IF A PATIENT NEEDS SPECIALIZED MEDICAL SERVICES? • NOFHA provides a full complement of on-site primary health care services, including physical, emotional/behavioral, and spiritual health services. • Members requiring specialized medical services are referred first to facilities which provide low cost/no cost medical care for the indigent. • NOFHA also seeks to negotiate discounted rates for its members at local hospitals and private health care specialist. • Members must assume financial responsibility for services provided outside the NOFHA Health Center. HOW IS NOFHA FUNDED? • Baptist Community Ministries: $250,000 grant for project planning and development. • Catholic Charities USA: $500,000 grant - unrestricted funding • Kaiser Permanente: $300,000 over three years plus a commit ongoing technical assistance and consultation on health center development, operation, and member health management. • Blue Cross & Blue Shield of LA: $78,500 grant to support chronic disease management and patient coaching on health & wellness. • American Society of Clinical Pathologist: $14,500 donation to support the purchase of laboratory equipment. • Medical fees by member-patients: Projected at 15% -20% of annual revenue. • Fund Development: Since NOFHA will not utilize federal Medicaid and Medicare funds, financial sustainability will be dependent upon philanthropic support from foundations, corporations, professional and civic organizations, and individual donations along with in-kind and volunteer support. HOW DO WE KNOW THIS WORKS? • NOFHA is modeled on the Church Health Center of Memphis, Tennessee which celebrated its 20 year anniversary in 2008. Memphis and New Orleans share many characteristics on socio-economic, demographic, cultural, and religious measures making the Memphis model well-suited for replication In New Orleans. • The success of the Memphis Church Health Center indicates that a program “of the community” can be more effective in addressing the inadequacies of the health care system than many government-sponsored programs. The Memphis CHC also demonstrates the power, durability, and effectiveness which can be achieved when business, faith, and medical communities join forces.
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www.NOFHA.org | New Orleans Faith Health Alliance information@NOFHA.org All Rights Reserved 2009 |
3401 Canal Street, NOLA 70119 Phone: 504-486-8585 |
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