Angelina County
Low Income Primary Care
Access
Summary of Information:
Low
Income Population: 33,194 (at or
below 200% FPL, 1998)
Total
practicing primary care physicians: 44
Regular
full time equivalency: 40.9
Full
time equivalents serving the low-income population: 8.7
Ratio
of low-income population to low-income FTE:
3,815:1
Considered
a shortage of providers: Yes,
designated Low-Income HPSA 9/11/01.
Physicians
accepting new patients: 77%
Physicians
accepting new patients who have Medicaid coverage: 50%
Physicians
who can provide interpretation for non-English speaking patients: 57%
Languages
interpreted: Spanish, Sign, Chinese,
and Vietnamese
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Community
Input:
This community does have
a lot of resources but has the universal problem of the people who need
care being able to connect with appropriate resources. This county does have a strong health
district. The recent closure of the
only in-house mental hospital leaves no inpatient mental health services.
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What are the barriers to
health care for people in your county?
“None” -- response given by 17 physician offices.
“Finding a doctor that will accept new patients.”
“Shortage of rheumatology, dermatology, and
surgery.”
“We need more FPs and OB/GYNs.”
“People who do not have insurance have a hard time
getting a doctor.”
“Low employment . . . no insurance.”
“Shortage of doctors who take patients without
insurance.”
“We need more FPs.”
“Some
doctors aren’t taking new patients.” -- response given by 2 physician offices.
“Income.”
Are there additional
barriers for the low-income population?
“No, the city has a clinic for the indigent.”
“None, we are applying for the
CHIP program as well.”
“We need more FPs that will take Medicaid.”
“No barriers.” -- response given by 10 physicians
offices.
“Indigents
have to go to Angelina Co. Health District for care.”
“Some doctors don’t take new patients.” -- response
given by 2 physician offices.
“It is difficult for poor patients that are not on a
program or have insurance to get services.”
“Patients will not apply for
Medicaid—they are plain lazy and do not want to wait. Medicaid is great but
patients always have an excuse as to why they haven’t applied.”
“Working people who fall between not qualifying for
Medicaid and don’t have insurance.”
“Everyone wants
to get paid for services, this is trouble for the indigent.”
“Most can
handle (regular fees) those who can’t we work out a payment plan.”
“Income is a
barrier . . . have trouble getting enough doctors to take them. We do have a county clinic.”
“Have Good Health Clinic . . . ’Love Inc.’, low
income can be vouchers for their needs.”
“If people cannot pay for diagnostic tests and it is
not life threatening they do not get tested until they come up with the cash.”
“Hospital
has no doctor call for patients that do not have a doctor…county hospital has
fast track clinic for indigent patients.”