For decades, private physicians have provided pro bono care in their offices for patients unable to pay for health care services. Yet, by and large, this care has been determined on a case-by-case basis and as such has been both largely invisible and limited by the physician's individual capacity and willingness to waive fees. Reach Out, a five year initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sought to engage private physicians in participating in organized systems of care for the uninsured and underserved in their communities. Through a competitive grant process, this national program provided planning and implementation funds for physician-led projects that established new services or enhanced existing programs to increase access to care locally for the medically underserved. Thirty-nine sites were funded in 24 states and the District of Colombia. More than 11,000 physicians were recruited to care for over 200,000 enrolled patients. Projects represented a variety of health care delivery systems and institutional allegiances, and as such generated innovative practices in: physician engagement; public/private partnership development and resource sharing; patient referral, coordination and tracking; and supporting physician efforts through organized ancillary and "wrap around" services. This paper examines various characteristics across projects as well as specific strategies that contributed to projects' success and longevity. Strategies of interest include: cultivating relationships with local and state medical societies; eliminating barriers to physician recruitment; developing partnerships with hospitals, safety net providers, health departments, academic institutions, and managed care organizations; and creating infrastructure support for physicians' pro bono efforts.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1)Describe different models available to private physicians interested in improving access for under/uninsured patients. 2)Recognize the administrative strengths and weaknesses of successful/failed models. 3)Discuss the role private physicians can play in expanding care to the underserved when administrative support is available
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Reach Out: Physicians Initiative to Expand Care to Underserved Americans/Volunteers in Health Care was/is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I was hired by Reach Out/Volunteers in Health Care as a consultant to write a report analyzing the Reach Out projects.