Coordinating eye and primary medical care in a low-income and uninsured population: the experience of the Vision of Hope Health Alliance.

PURPOSE: The Vision of Hope Health Alliance (VOHHA) was developed to provide an integrated system of eye and primary medical services to low-income and uninsured patients who were referred from nonmedical and medical agencies.

METHODS

Partnerships were formed to facilitate patient referrals. Eye examinations and ophthalmic materials were provided at no cost to patients. Interpretation services and follow-up care were provided as needed. If applicable, patients were scheduled with a primary care physician at a Federally Qualified Health Center. Findings were documented by VOHHA team members or obtained through retrospective record review.

RESULTS

Over a 2-year period, 1,753 patients were examined. About half (52.5%) were women. Most (80%) were black or Hispanic. Average age was 49.4 years (range, 18 to 83). Of those with diabetes mellitus (DM), 30.9% reported a last eye examination within 15 months. Of those without DM, 23.6% reported last eye examination within 15 months. Most (60%) reported last medical examination to be within 1 year. Most (85.7%) received spectacle prescriptions. Follow-up eye care appointments were kept by 367. Appointments with primary care physicians were scheduled for 165. Of those, 121 kept appointments.

CONCLUSIONS

VOHHA demonstrated a model program that provided eye care and referral for primary medical care to individuals without the means to otherwise obtain care.