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Show NEWS Porto u ipate in the program. If the family has private insurance, the insurance company will be billed first and CHAMPUS will pay any remaining allowable charge. All visits to partnership providers must be in the base hospital Once admitted, the only financial responsibility of the patient will be the daily hospital subsistence fee for inpatient hospital care currently $8.55 per day. D Use of the partnership program is strictly voluntary. "The main cost savings are realized when a patient is admitted to the base hospital," explained Ms. Horton, "but the partnership program has saved the Air Force and the patients thousands of dollars on both inpatient and outpatient care." For more information on the partnership program, or any other health benefits question, call the Health Benefits Office at Ext. 77036 or visit the office at the hospital, Room li by Capt. Kelly Wing Force Hospital, Hil The three thousand plus patients seen each month at the base hospital by partnership physicians know the importance of the partnership program, but many people don't know what the partnership program is and how it helps the hospital see more pa- tients. The partnership program, established at Hill AFB in 1986, is a method to expand the capability of military hospitals when additional military providers are not available. Using Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services funds, the partnership program allows eligible beneficiaries to be seen by a civilian health care provider without a deductible or cost share. Currently 14 providers participate in the program in family practice, podiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics and internal medicine. Not only does this program increase the number of appointments available, but it also saves patients considerable amounts of money, according to Joyce G. Horton, the health benefits adviser at U.S. Air Force Hospital, Hill. "When you consider patients pay from 20 percent to 25 percent of the bill for care downtown, an annual deductible and costs cover the allowable charge, the program really saves the patients money." Since CHAMPUS pays for the partnership bill, there are a few restrictions. Most dependents (spouse and children) of active duty members, retirees and dependents under the age of 65 are eligible for the partnership program. Parents and parents-in-la- 3 M-10-0- 4. w Automated system serves better As of April 1, U. S. Air Force Hospital, Hill, implemented an automated appointment system. This system is designed to better serve patients by allowing medical records to be pulled faster, provide the health care provider with better information and to ultimately decrease the amount of time it takes to make an appointment. Hospital officials say it will take time to achieve the benefits this system offers. The appointment desk clerks are quickly becoming proficient in the quired. Currently the hospital is answering more than 95 percent of the calls within five minutes, with occasional waits during busiest times requiring more than 10 minutes. The hospital's goal is to at least answer all calls within five minutes and to continue to find ways to decrease the wait time. Hospital officials ask patrons to exercise patience as the sytem is implemented. The transition has gone very smoothly to this point. Officials said, however, they understand that patient waits when calling for an appointment are still unacceptable. They are trying to reduce this as quickly as possible, they said. use of the new equipment. In addition, the system requires demographic information about the patient, such as name, address, date of birth and the like. This information need only be entered once. If you call for another appointment in the future, the information will already be available. You can speed the process by having your ID card available when you call to make an appointment. The sponsor's Social Security account number will be re SINCE 1936 Always A Better Buy at 2242 Washington Blvd 392-127- DAYS SAME AS CASH 7 Hilltop Timet of active duty or retired members are not eligible. B NATO dependents cannot partic- u II U.S. Air May 24, 1991 4 Frea Laysway and 80 Days Same as Cash! i CONTEMPORARY SOFA AND LOVESEAT Features rounded contours and loose back and arms. 2 PC. 2 PC. over-stuffe- d pillow I 7 I I JULJ UTT?t II II TABLES Black SET SETS FROM $599.95 $349.95 and brass base with glass top 3 PC. SET Brass base $219.95 with glass top 3 PC. SET $99.95 $789.95 SOFA SECTIONAL Featuring two incliners with METAL BUflKBEDS From DAY BED COMPLETE SOFA SECTIONALS f'" $139.95 3 sided frames only $49.95 . &$ II1 wood carved legs. Table SET SETS FROM With white 5 PC. 5 PC size: 60"x36"x29" $299.95 $97.95 pillow back d and rolled arms. $159.95 NATURAL FINISH VENEER TOP BUTCHER BLOCK RECTANGULAR FARM DINING TABLE over-stuffe- W'''"'''' beginning at $689.95 I J JI..IT- - "' Alt, i 4 J |
