Lamar County
Low
Income Primary Care Access
Summary
of Information:
Low
Income Population: 19,769 (at or
below 200% FPL, 1998)
Total
practicing primary care physicians: 29
Regular
full time equivalency: 29
Full
time equivalents serving the low-income population: 10.6
Ratio
of low-income population to low-income FTE:
1,865:1
Considered
a shortage of providers: NO
Physicians
accepting new patients: 89%
Physicians
accepting new patients who have Medicaid
coverage: 89%
Physicians
who can provide interpretation for non-English
speaking
patients: 79%
Community Input:
The two hospitals in
Paris are in the midst of a merger, which will impact access in some way.
Additionally, there is a need for Hispanic interpreters and more primary
care physicians.
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Languages
interpreted: Spanish, American Sign
Language
What
are the barriers to health care for people in your county?
“Managed care.”
“Limits on what insurance will allow.”
“None, except for elderly without transportation.”
“Unsure” -- response given by two physician offices.
“Shortage of doctors, hard to get in to see OB/GYNs,
orthopedists, etc.”
“No insurance, can’t afford health care. People are
stubborn and won’t come in for care.”
“Managed care, jumping through hoops, gate keepers,
having to use specific labs, and paperwork.”
“Financial, if you can’t afford the doctor. We are open until 8
pm, on Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon—people might have trouble getting
in at other practices. There are also too many specialists and not enough
primary care.”
“Managed care is the biggest problem, insurance doesn’t allow them
to go where they want, not always in the best interest of the patients.”
Are
there additional barriers for the low-income population?
“Lack
of insurance.”
“People can’t afford healthcare.”
“No, because everyone takes Medicaid.”
“No
money to pay, won’t come, make too much to qualify for any assistance.”
“No
barriers.”
“Lack
of money, Medicaid has cut benefits and few physicians will accept it.”
“CHIP
is not advertised well. Financial barriers—people can’t afford the doctor. Too
few services, except Medicaid.”
“CHIP
is horrible—continuous fight for each charge. We won’t accept CHIP anymore. It
would be a great program if it worked but it doesn’t. It is a ‘farce’ no one
knows how anything works, told different ways to file depending on who you talk
to!”
“A
lot of people would qualify for Medicaid or CHIP if they were better informed.
Texas Medicaid and DHS are in a shambles in Paris. People have trouble
accessing care and have a terrible time getting anything from the local office.
(Our office) doesn’t even try to call anymore. Office people are not helpful,
don’t explain thing properly, and act as an obstruction, not a help.”