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For the first time in its history, Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa, Florida will begin billing insurance.  The Shriners Hospital won clearance from the HHS office of the inspector general whom they had sought an advisory opinion for their plan to bill insurances, but still refrain from balance billing the patient.  They will also offer subsidized house and transportation to patients in need and their caregivers. The IG’s office stated that they would not sanction the Shriners Hospital under the anti-kickback and civil monetary penalty laws.
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As a case manager I often have a difficult time obtaining transportation for my patients.  Without a way in which to attend their physician appointments, they fail to improve.  I recently ran across this listing from Disability.gov which is specific to Arkansas, but all states are listed on their website.  I have personal experience with the Ozark transportation which I found to be excellent and very reasonably priced.

AR GetCare Transportation Services Information
Information on community-based transportation programs in Arkansas that offer support for individuals so they may live independently.

Aging …

Arkansas Specific Resources~check back soon for the national level resources
Arkansas Area Agencies on Aging (AAA): AAAs offer aging services, including:
• Information and assistance
• Care management
• Nutrition services (i.e., Meals on Wheels)
• Legal assistance
• Services for family caregivers through the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP)
Anyone age 60 or older (866) 801-3435
http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/aging/aaamap.html
Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs: Provides aged or disabled veterans with rehabilitative, residential and medical care and services. The VA also helps veterans and their families to present claims for veterans’ benefits to the federal government and offers veterans …

If you are poor or old or both and on a Government Funded Healthcare plan typically you will be receiving inferior care from doctors.  The doctors you see are getting paid at levels that border on volunteer work since the premiums and reimbursements the government pay is so low.  In fact, the system is so antiquated that doctors (i.e. internists) many times forgo prescribing additional help for the elderly in order to steer clear of having to deal with the paperwork, regulations, and consistent rejections of recommended care.
With President Obama …