FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2010

LRGHealthcare Financial Assistance Programs
Protect Patient Access to Care

Enhanced Assistance and Expanded Screening Programs Announced

LACONIA & FRANKLIN- When LRGHealthcare created the HealthLink Program in 1993 and the Patient Advantage Program in 2002, the organization did so to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to our patients. Over the years, we have found that the discounts and financial assistance available through these programs make a big difference to our patients; particularly those who are facing particularly high healthcare costs.

Today, we are pleased to announce that the LRGHealthcare Board of Trustees has approved enhancements to the Patient Advantage and HealthLink Programs that will increase the discounts and assistance we provide when you need them most—when you are facing higher out-of-pocket costs.

Some of those facing the highest healthcare costs are those without insurance. In the past, through our Patient Advantage Plus Program, we have offered these patients an automatic discount of 15% off their out-of-pocket costs for hospital care. As of June 1, 2010, we are pleased to now be able to offer all uninsured patients an automatic discount of 30% off their costs for hospital care, without requiring an application.

Regardless of insurance coverage, when patients face an out-of-pocket cost of $10,000 or more for a single medically-necessary hospital stay or outpatient treatment, our HealthLink Catastrophic Program will now offer a discount of up to 40% for those who qualify. While this program does require an application, the process is streamlined to make it simple for patients. In order to target our assistance and discounts where patients need them most, we are making a small adjustment to the prompt pay discount available on smaller balances, adjusting it from 20% to 15%.

The Patient Advantage and HealthLink Catastrophic Programs are just two of the many LRGHealthcare healthcare financial counseling programs available to help you with your healthcare costs.

Our HealthLink Program not only assists with healthcare financial counseling, but also serves as a healthcare information and referral service and helps connect patients in our community with the providers and services they need. The VetLink Program assists Veterans and families of Veterans with their healthcare questions, and helps them to navigate the complicated Veteran’s Administration system. The Medication Connection Program helps qualified patients access reduced-rate prescriptions offered through pharmaceutical company programs.

To assist with preventive care and screenings, through our Screening Bridge Program, patients who qualify based on financial guidelines receive colon cancer, diabetes, and cholesterol screenings they need at a minimal cost. Our Mammography Bridge Program typically offers diagnostic mammography services at a reduced cost to women who qualify based on financial guidelines. But for a limited time, we are able to offer mammography and breast ultrasound services at no cost to women who qualify.

LRGHealthcare also participates in a number of Statewide financial assistance and grant-funded programs to help our patients access preventive care and screenings. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program (BCCP) provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to low income, uninsured, and underinsured New Hampshire women between the ages of 18-64.

LRGHealthcare is also currently offering a limited number of screening colonoscopies to patients who qualify through our participation in the New Hampshire Colorectal Screening Program. For information on the BCCP, the Bridge Programs, or the Colorectal Screening Program, please call 527-7000.

LRGHealthcare wants to be sure that cost isn’t a barrier to anyone in our community accessing the healthcare they need. For more information on any of the healthcare financial counseling programs available to you, please visit our website at www.lrgh.org, or call HealthLink at 527-7171. We are here to help.

LRGHealthcare is a not-for-profit healthcare charitable trust representing Lakes Region General Hospital, Franklin Regional Hospital, Affiliated Medical Providers, HealthLink, Community Wellness Centers, the Dental Resource Center, the Holistic Health Center, and other community-based services. LRGHealthcare is committed to making health care available, accessible, and affordable to you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of Public Relations & Marketing
80 Highland Street
Laconia, NH 03246
Phone (603) 737-1041
Fax (603) 737-1027