Access to Care Services
It is extremely important for you to understand exactly what services the Access to Care program offers. Along with your ID Card you also received the "Your Guide to Access to Care" booklet. This informational guide explains the services covered by the program. It is your responsibility to read it thoroughly. Access to Care covers visits to your Access to Care doctor, most laboratory tests and x-rays ordered by your Access to Care physician. Most prescription drugs are also covered. Orders and prescriptions must be written by your ATC doctor. Prescriptions from doctors other than your assigned doctor will not be honored by Walgreens.

You also received a copy of the Preferred Medication List. This is a list of medications covered by the program. Walgreens will always dispense generic equivalents if there is a generic available. If your ATC doctor does not want you to have the generic, it must be indicated on the prescription. You will pay a higher co-pay for the brand medication. You are responsible for the co-payments on all services. The co-pays are $5 for doctor visits, $5 per specimen taken for lab tests and $5 for x-rays.

THE GUIDES ARE VERY IMPORTANT. KEEP BOTH GUIDES AS A REFERENCE TO DETERMINE WHERE TO GO FOR LAB TESTS AND X-RAYS. Tests or x-rays taken at facilities other than those listed in Your Guide will not be covered. The PML lists preferred medications. If you have a question about a specific medication, contact Walgreens Health Initiatives at the phone number noted on the drug listing.

Access to Care is a charitable primary health care program, it is not an insurance plan. You also received a list of particular services not covered under Access to Care. Services not covered includ: Emergency room care, routine employment or school physicals, visits to doctors other than your Access to Care doctor, hospitalization, over-the-counter medications (except diabetic testing supplies), prenatal care and care provided by a specialist. If your Access to Care doctor needs a specialist's opinion, he/she must complete a referral form and send it to Access to Care. Our case manager will then submit a request for an appointment at either Stroger (Cook County) or Oak Forest Hospitals. Billing from these facilities is based upon family income. If you have a question about a particular service, it is a good idea to call Access to Care before having the service performed. This will save you unnecessary medical bills. You can save yourself unnecessary headaches and bills by reading and following the directions in Your Guide to Access to Care.

Re-Enrolling in Access to Care
Your Access to Care ID card indicates the name and phone number of your assigned physician. It is important that you keep the ID card with you. When medical attention is needed, call your doctor to schedule an appointment and identify yourself as an Access to Care patient. You do not have to call the administrative office of Access to Care to make an appointment with your doctor. Simply call your doctor.

Pay attention to the expiration date on your ID card. You must re-enroll during the month of the expiration date (or before your card expires). It is your responsibility to re-enroll in the program.

Two months prior to the expiration date a re-enrollment application and invoice with a letter explaining what is necessary will be sent to the address Access to Care has for you. You must send the application, with all necessary documentation, the invoice and payment of the enrollment fee before your card expires.

You can also re-enroll at the intake site closest to your home. If your re-enrollment application and fee are not received in the allotted time, your card will expire and you will no longer be able to use the services of Access to Care.

Tell a Friend about Access to Care
As an Access to Care patient, you understand the value of being able to see a physician when the need arises. Access to Care is expanding to cover more individuals and families. You may know of someone who can benefit from the services the program provides.

As a member of a church or other organization, you may be in a position to tell others about Access to Care. Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs, as well as Neighborhood Block Clubs are involved in their communities and could benefit from being aware of the services Access to Care provides. If you know of an organization that would be interested in a presentation about Access to Care, simply call the administrative office with the name and phone number and a representative will be happy to talk to your group. Often times, after a presentation, organizations donate to help another person receive services through Access to Care.

Another way to help is to include a copy of an Access to Care flyer in the church bulletin or organization newsletter. If you know of companies that do not offer health benefits, or the insurance is too costly for their employees, have the employer call Access to Care at 708-531-0680.

You will be providing a service to your community by helping others receive necessary primary health care services.

Tell us Your Story
Personal accounts of Access to Care patients have a great deal of impact and can result in the program receiving increased funds to care for more people. Please write how the program has helped you (your family) and send it to Kate Barnickel, Public Relations Manager at Access to Care. Your story may be the one that acts as a catalyst to potential donors.

Access to Care would like to sincerely thank those clients who have volunteered to help when the media calls. Media stories help raise awareness of the program and the problems uninsured individuals face on a daily basis. THANK YOU.