Access to Care Services
It is important for you to understand exactly what services the Access to Care program provides. Access to Care is a primary health care program. The program covers visits to your Access to Care physician, basic lab tests and x-rays, and primary health care prescriptions.
You received "Your Guide to Access to Care" at the same time you received your ID card. This booklet provides valuable information about what services are covered by the program. It is your responsibility to read it thoroughly. Access to Care covers visits to your assigned physician only. Visits to doctors other than your Access to Care doctor are not covered. All orders for lab tests and x-rays must be written by your assigned physician. All prescriptions must be written by your ATC doctor. Prescriptions written by other physicians will not be honored at Walgreens. Orders written for lab tests or x-rays by other physicians will not be covered by Access to Care.
You also received a copy of the Preferred Medication List (PML) from Walgreens, which is the only place you can obtain brand name medications. If your doctor does not want you to have the generic, it must be indicated on the prescription. An Access to Care application for the RXOutreach® program was also in your packet. As an ATC patient you are automatically eligible for this program. This provides a 90 day supply of generic medications that are delivered to your home. A list of generic medications available at Target/Walmart was also included. Both programs provide generic prescriptions at a reduced fee.
You received a list of services that are not covered. Please read this list. The program does not cover emergency room care, specialist services, hospitalization or routine physicals. Services not covered can be arranged at Stroger or Oak Forest Hospitals where services are provided on a sliding scale based upon the family income. It is important to note that Flu Shots are not covered through the program.
If you have a question about a particular service, it is always a good idea to call Access to Care before having the service performed. This will save you unnecessary medical bills. By reading "Your Guide" thoroughly you can save yourself unnecessary headaches and bills.

Protecting Yourself Against Winter Weather
Winter is a wonderful and beautiful time of the year, but it is very important to remmber cold weather safety.
DRESS FOR THE COLD. Cover your head! You lose as much as 50% of your body heat through your head. Wear several layers of lightweight clothing rather than one or two layers of heavy clothing. Cover all exposed skin to protect against frostbite.
SHOVELING SNOW.
Remember to rest often when shoveling heavy snow. Lift by using your leg muscles and not your back. Many back injuries are sustained by lifting heavy snow improperly. Do not smoke or drink while shoveling snow. Remember to stay hydrated.
WINTERPROOFING YOUR HOME. Never use an oven to heat your home. Do not leave space heaters unattended. Stuff cracks around doors with rugs, newspapers and towels. If you have no heat, call your town, city hall or township office to find the nearest warming center. To prevent your pipes from freezing set your heat no lower than 55 degrees. Let water trickle from a faucet on an outside wall in extreme cold.
WINTER DRIVING.Always make sure your car has enough gas, anti-freeze, windshield washer fluid and oil. Keep a blanket in case you stall. If you skid on ice, take your foot off the brake and steer in the direction of the skid. Once the car stops skidding you can straighten the wheel. Drive slower and increase your following distance.

Be a voice for Access to Care
Access to Care is frequently contacted by various media sources for information about being uninsured. It is anticipated that the issue of medically uninsured individuals will continue to be a major story. Members of the media often want to speak to one of the program's patients to get a first hand perspective. Access to Care will never release patient names or any other information without prior approval from the patient.
The program also needs your help to spread the word about the program. There are many people who can benefit from our services, however they are unaware it exists.
Access to Care needs people who would be willing to tell their stories. By telling YOUR story, you are helping other PEOPLE WHO MAY BENEFIT FROM ACCESS TO CARE. Your story helps create an awareness of the problems encountered when a person does not have health insurance. Access to Care is one program that provides affordable health care services to low-income, uninsured residents of suburban Cook County and northwest Chicago.
If you are willing to help, go to accesstocare.org or contact Kate Barnickel at 708-531-0680. Thank you for your help.