Applying for Assistance
AccessHealth SC was established in 2008 as a mechanism to provide technical assistance to communities developing networks of care for the uninsured. Representatives from the multiple statewide organizations/agencies of the AccessHealth SC advisory panel have recognized the need within our state to develop coordinated systems of care that utilize best practices and integrate community and statewide resources. The goals of AccessHealth SC are to:
Improve coordination of and access to healthcare services
Improve effectiveness and efficiency of networks
Improve health quality of life for engaged network participants
Increase awareness of available services, networks and AccessHealth SC
Led by direction from a statewide advisory panel and the recognition that communities in South Carolina are vastly different in structure and assets, the AccessHealth SC technical assistance center invests tools and resources for community planning and development of networks, customized technical assistance based on community needs, group learning opportunities, fund development, and centralized administrative functions such as evaluation.
A Network is a collaboration of healthcare and other human service providers that work together to align services. The network serves as an advocate for patients and links them to a medical home to access:
General primary and behavioral healthcare
Preventive and educational services
Specialty care
Dental care
Non-emergent hospital care
Home health care
Medications
These components are linked through care navigation and care coordination that work in conjunction with the medical home so that barriers are addressed and a patient is able to receive the right care in the right place at the right time.
Medical Home is an accessible preventive and primary healthcare setting where a patient has an ongoing relationship with a primary care team to access specialty care, dental care, behavioral care, non-emergent hospital care, and medications. The medical home is the center of a patient’s care and is the primary referral source for the patient to receive services from other providers, such as hospitals, pharmacies and specialists.
The applicant will be a not-for-profit hospital or, if this is not geographically available, a not-for-profit umbrella organization serving the South Carolina geographic area of interest. Although applications for networks serving multiple continguous counties are encouraged, the 'geographic area of interest' should be at least one county, and there should be only one application per area served. The applicant has the will to develop partnerships with other community organizations serving low income uninsured people and the capability to keep these partners participating in the network. Within a network serving a particular geographic area, the primary membership requirements are the Community Health Center(s)/Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), the certified Rural Health Clinic(s), the free clinic(s), the hospital(s), the local health department, the local behavioral health agencies, pharmacy, and private providers. If one of these required members is not available within/to the county or is not a network partner, the absence should be explained in the application.
System Orientation Application
All communities applying for support from AccessHealth SC will begin with a System Orientation Application, which is available in the resource list on this page.
Intensive technical assistance is provided to communities in this process-mapping phase. A competitive application is required for this phase. This assistance requires documentation that decision makers of all the primary network members are participating in the network and explains why any members are missing. This will be a time and resource intensive phase for both AccessHealth SC and the applicant, and it is expected to take 12 months for completion. Experienced networks may be able to complete this phase more quickly. During this level, AccessHealth SC will guide the community in development of a strategic plan that will compile market assessment information, baseline evaluation data, network membership and program goals.
Elements of Strategic Plan
Market Assessment
Geographic area served
Number of uninsured
Diseases that impact the uninsured
Providers serving the uninsured and eligibility
Barriers to care
Gaps in care
Network membership
Health status
Hospital utilization
Strategic Direction
Electronic communication among members
Data collection and reporting
Program Plan
Assumptions
Program staffing
Medical home assignment
Collaboration with emergency departments
Processes to overcome identified barriers
Involvement of specialists, dental and behavioral services
Receipt of medications
Care management
Marketing of the network
Sustainability plan
Short and long-term goals
Implementation Overview
Communities that have successfully completed system orientation and developed a strong strategic plan will begin implementation. This phase will implement the strategic plan developed in the system orientation phase and it is expected to take three to five years for completion. During this phase, the relationship with AccessHealth SC staff will continue as technical assistance is provided and arranged throughout this level. At the end of this phase, networks will be able to document that system goals have been met and that patient outcomes related to access/utilization and clinical outcomes are positive.
Ongoing Support Overview
AHSC will continue to provide support for communities with established networks that are demonstrating that goals are being met with positive system and patient outcomes. Annual program reporting is required.
Site Visit
All applicants for system orientation will be contacted by AccessHealth SC and should anticipate a site visit during which all primary network members are expected to participate. The site visit will ensure that the network understands the time and resources needed to complete the system orientation level and desires to complete the strategic plan.
Timeline
Applications are due electronically on March 15 and September 15 of every year.
The system orientation application is available above before each cycle's due date. Completed applications should be submitted electronically to AccessHealth SC at accesshealthsc@scha.org.
All reporting forms will be available electronically. Help is available.
The AccessHealth SC assistance process requires an investment of time and effort. It is not intended as a barrier. Instead, its purpose is to help and inspire each applicant to think through and create a clear, measurable and realistic roadmap for success.
If you have questions, please view the 'Frequently Asked Questions'document available under Resources on this page or contact us.
