San Augustine County

Low Income Primary Care Access

Summary of Information:

Low Income Population: 4,530 (at or below 200% FPL, 1998)

Total practicing primary care physicians: 4

Regular full time equivalency: 1.8

Full time equivalents serving the low-income population: .9

Ratio of low-income population to low-income FTE: 5,033:1

Considered a shortage of providers: Yes. San Augustine County

is currently designated as a whole county HPSA.

Physicians accepting new patients: 75%

Physicians accepting new patients who have Medicaid coverage: 75%

Physicians who can provide interpretation for non-English speaking patients: 25%

Languages interpreted: Spanish

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

“None.”

“Transportation and cost of medications that may be prescribed.”

“We need more doctors.”

Are there additional barriers for the low-income population?

“No” -- response given by three physician offices.

Community Input:

San Augustine’s hospital is affiliated with the Memorial Health System of Lufkin. Their physicians are stable; however, the community does have problems with low-income populations connecting to services as is typical of many small rural counties. Those who have money either have a doctor in town or travel to Nacogdoches or Lufkin. Those who do not have money or insurance don’t have access.

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