Chattanooga Area Hospitals and Health Systems - Project Access

What is it?

Project Access is a community collaboration that has created a large referral network, which offers access to medical care – particularly specialty care – for low-income people in Hamilton County who do not have insurance. Providers in community clinics and primary care programs, participating physicians, as well as partner social service agencies, can refer patients for enrollment into Project Access. Patients enrolled in the program receive donated physician care, hospital care, and medication assistance. Coordinated by the Medical Society of Chattanooga & Hamilton County and the Medical Foundation of Chattanooga, Project Access brings together volunteer doctors, hospitals, medical schools, community clinics, the Hamilton County Health Department, and other partners toward the goal of improving the health and well-being of the community.

Who is it for?

Project Access patients must live in Hamilton County for at least 90 days prior to enrolling, their family income must be below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, they cannot be eligible for health insurance or other medical benefits such as TennCare or Medicare, and they must have a current medical need or condition that requires treatment.

Why do they do it?

Many people in Hamilton County do not have health insurance. They work hard in one or more low-paying jobs with no health benefits, and they earn too much to qualify for programs such as TennCare but not enough to pay for insurance and still afford other basic items such as food, clothing, and housing.

Impact

The program began in 2003 and has thus far recruited 700 volunteer primary care and specialty care physicians. Since the program began, more than $101 million in health care services have been donated. Nearly 18 percent of patients who have completed their care and are no longer enrolled report that they now have access to health insurance through private or public programs; 38 percent report better health since they began the program, and 39 percent report fewer physical restrictions. In addition, the program has had an additional $11.9 million economic impact on Hamilton County.

Contact: Rae Bond
Executive Director
Telephone: 423-622-2872, ext. 3003
E-mail: rae@chattmedsoc.org