BMH foundation Unveils Cardinal Access Computer Program
MUNCIE — Cardinal Access
counselors might
be the most prolific
writers in the health system. Granted, they’re not writing novels. But the amount of words they put on paperwork
each year is about enough to fill a book.
Soon, program counselors will go from
being industrious writers to productive
typists. A new computer program in place
for the first time aims to remove much of the repetitive and laborious task of filling
out forms for applicants needing financial
assistance.
Organizers anticipate the software to usher in a new era of efficiency.
“An important component of Cardinal
Access is outreach. Financial counselors
will be able to take a laptop ‘on the
road’ to help people enroll at other places
besides BMH or Open Door/BMH Health
Center,” said Tricia Stanley, Administrative
Director for corporate planning and foundation development. “This may, in
turn, increase access to healthcare.”
The BMH Foundation in conjunction with
multiple community partners developed
Cardinal Access in October of ‘04 as an
assistance program for the community’s
uninsured. The goal of Cardinal Access
is to improve access to healthcare for the
uninsured in the community. Cardinal Access
now has more than 200 participating
physicians in the region and has assisted
more than 3,000 people in its first year. As a result of the Cardinal Access initiative,
the BMH Foundation obtained a $30,000 grant from the Delaware County Health department to help develop the system.
When someone seeks help
through the initiative, they
meet with counselors who
conduct an interview to
determine the level of need.
During those sessions,
counselors pinpoint specific
programs for which patients
could qualify.
Because historically agencies,
such as Medicaid, require
forms be sent to them,
counselors must handwrite
a candidate’s general information
— name, address,
household members, Social Security numbers— on each applicable sheet. That can
mean writing the same information several
times a session.
The new computer application allows
counselors to type applicants’ information
just once. Then, whenever they need
those details transferred to different forms,
the system deciphers the application and
automatically prints the information to the
correct sheet, in the appropriate spaces.
“We don’t think it will save time in the
interview, but it will
save time compiling
multiple forms,” said Christina Fogle,
manager of Systems.
Working with a
Marion development
company, Learning
Assistance Technologies
Inc., since
February, CHS has
staged simulated
tests the last three
weeks. And though
the program will be used by only a couple
of counselors initially, it could be in widespread
use in several weeks providing no
glitches surface.
The system allows for the creation of a
Cardinal Access database and will enable
counselors and participating agencies to
check information more quickly on applicants.
Developers also are looking at other
forms to add to the system and acquiring
portable devices to key in candidates’ information
while at community events such as
health fairs.
“It’s going to be such a huge communication
piece for us,” said Vickie Rogers, manager
of patient accounts for Ball Memorial
Hospital. “The patient will not have to hear
the same questions asked at every provider
that they go to. We will be able to help
the patient apply for everything that they
qualify for, in one step.”
“The system benefits healthcare professionals
by making it easier to help a patient
complete complex application forms,” said Matthew Voss, of Learning Assistance
Technologies.
In the meantime, the program positions the
health system for the future when agencies
begin to accept forms electronically.
“We’ll already be in a position where we
won’t have to print a form — ever,” Fogle
said
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