A Program Of The Georgia Department Of Community Health
A SNAPSHOT OF THE
Georgia Volunteer Health Care Program
Overview
The Georgia Volunteer Heath Care Program (GVHCP) began in 2005 with the passage of House Bill 166. This law authorized the state of Georgia via the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) to offer sovereign immunity protection to uncompensated, licensed health care professionals while they provide donated care to eligible patients. This protection is extended to trained clinic volunteers as well.
How does the GVHCP operate?
GVHCP has five Regional Volunteer Coordinators (RVC) each responsible for assistance with establishing new volunteer clinics and working with existing clinics in surrounding counties. These RVCs serve North Georgia, Metropolitan Atlanta, East Central Georgia, Southwest Georgia and Southeast Georgia.
Their duties include, but are not limited to: Assist with recruiting volunteers and working with new and
existing medical/dental clinics Credential and contract with licensed health care professionals Train and monitor the DCH volunteers who complete patient financial
eligibility and referral forms Conduct quality assurance reviews
How many clinics are currently under the GVHCP?
As of July 2009, there were 60 clinics that had committed to liability protection under this program. This number is expected to increase. The GVHCP team is working at various stages of training and recruitment with several other clinics statewide.
HEALTH CARE PROVIDER
A health care professional who volunteers at a clinic and/or his/her own private office to provide free care is protected under this legislation as long as:
The professional acted within his/her scope of services The patient meets the definition of eligible A designated/trained DCH volunteer completes the patient's paperwork
PATIENT ELIGIBILITY
A patient is eligible if: He/she is Medicaid eligible under Georgia law He/she is without medical/ dental coverage He/she has an income at or below 200 percent of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) He/she is a client of DCH or the Department of Human Services who meets the criteria and his/her income is at or below 200 percent of FPL
What You Deserve.
Georgia
Volunteer Health Care Program
How can I sign up for GVHCP?
For more information on the program or how to participate, contact GAVolunteers@dch.ga.gov or call 404-463-5040.
2 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga 30303 w www.dch.georgia.gov January 2011