Anderson County

Low Income Primary Care Access

Summary of Information:

Low Income Population: 18,194 (at or below 200% FPL, 1998)

Total practicing primary care physicians: 34

Regular full time equivalency: 32.4

Full time equivalents serving the low-income population: 8.42

Ratio of low-income population to low-income FTE: 2,161:1

Considered a shortage of providers: No

Physicians accepting new patients: 94%

Physicians accepting new patients who have Medicaid coverage: 65%

Physicians who can provide interpretation for non-English speaking patients: 53%

Languages interpreted: Spanish

Community Input:

There are no mental health services and very limited STD treatment. There is a high prison population with a large number of families moving to the area to be near family members who are incarcerated. This community is a RWJ-ETRAP network community.

What are the barriers to health care for people in your county?

“Not a lot of barriers . . . well covered.”

“Affordability.”

“No known barriers.”
”Need more Family Practice doctors.”

“Lack of providers on HMO.”

“There is a need for specialists.”

“Providers that don’t take some insurance.”

“There are plenty of providers -- no barriers.”

“Lack of OB.”

Are there additional barriers for the low-income population?

“No, because Medicaid and CHIP help with the gap.”

“No known barriers, no one is turned away.”

“No known barriers, there are plenty of programs available.”

“Barriers exist if they don’t qualify for Medicaid.”

“No sliding scale for Medicaid…need a scaled version so more can qualify.”

“Lack of availability for care or insurance for those that don’t qualify for programs.”

“Transportation. Elderly with no family for help.”

“Limitations for getting medications, transportation.”

“No barrier-everyone seems to take their share of the low-income population.”

“Shortage of doctors.”

“Not a lot of Family Practice doctors will take people unless they have insurance or can pay.”

“Some providers don’t see the low-income population.”

“Opening an indigent clinic in Palestine.”

“No barriers, everything is here (programs, etc.).

“All providers help with low-income, no barriers.”

“A lot of doctors won’t see patients that don’t have insurance or can’t pay. They ‘scan’ patients and if they can’t pay they don’t see them. Also, transportation problems for the elderly and the poor.”

Prepared by Community Health Provider Resources, Texas Department of Health, as part of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation East Texas Rural Access Program; Spring 2001