Referrals
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Increasing access to specialty care was one of the main catalysts for the formation of the Arizona Safety Net.
Another major initiative of the Safety Net is to increase access to hospital based specialties for patients being taken care of by Safety Net clinics who were recently discharged from a hospital or emergency room who require follow up procedures.
Historically to have an uninsured patient seen by a specialist their PCP would need to call a friend who works in that specialty and ask for a favor. To stream line this process the Virginia G. Piper St. Vincent de Paul Medical clinic has created a Safety Net Specialty Referral system for over 20 specialty services and diagnostic testing they offer. There is a short referral form that needs to be filled stating the medical necessity, what has been tried and failed and any specific questions for the specialists. Include all pertinent lab and imaging results. Incomplete or inappropriate referrals will not be scheduled, refer to ‘info needed per specialist’ prior to sending a referral. If a referral is sent with an ICD10 code and eval and treat it will not be considered.
An MOU will need to be signed which states that St. Vincent de Paul provides the consult and it is up to the referring primary care clinic to implement the plan. The referring clinic will be provided an organizational log in in order to view and download the notes, labs and imaging from the St. Vincent de Paul’s electronic medical record, Athena. All other information needed to navigate the EHR and download the notes are in the ‘Athena Demo’.
If the patient needs a well woman exam refer to one of the FQHCs that are contracted through the Well Woman Health Check (see cervical or breast cancer). If they do not qualify for care at the FQHC then St. Vincent de Paul will be able to do the cervical cancer screening, colon cancer screening and if resources are available, breast cancer screening along with vaccines.
If a patient needs behavioral health both Terros and Valle del Sol are FQHC look a likes and provide discounted sliding scale visits based on income.