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HEALTHCARE
COVERAGE

CareLink – Public Health Coverage

By Elizabeth Allen

O ver the past 25 years, our understanding of effective, created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), CareLink helps them nav-

meaningful public health service has evolved, and Care-
igate their options and complete the needed paperwork for enrollment.
CareLink staff is always looking for opportunities to serve the com-
Link has evolved with it. CareLink is one of the founda-
tional pillars of public health in Bexar County, and since 1997 the munity, like the recently renewed federal Connecting Kids to Coverage
financial assistance program has connected qualifying Bexar County (CKC) grant that they’ve been using for five years to provide enroll-
residents to care. ment, and renewal assistance to children and their families, signing
A core element of public health is equitable access to care, said Chris- them up for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program
tine Gonzalez, PharmD, CareLink Director of Medical Management. (CHIP). At the end of the most recent grant period, staff exceeded
“CareLink promotes public health by providing affordable access to their goals in both renewing and newly enrolling applicants. New re-
care, including preventive care, thus improving the health and overall sults show that 2,594 more children in Bexar County have access to
well-being of our community,” Gonzalez said. “Everybody who joins health care. The team has shared their successful practices in national
CareLink selects a primary care provider and that gives them a medical webinars, so others can learn to extend these benefits to more families.
home.” Because of their success, the
Having a medical home $1.5 million grant was just re-
means people have access to newed for another three
the kind of preventive care years, and for the first time
and screenings that can pre- can be used to help enroll ex-
vent serious illness or chronic pectant parents to promote
diseases, meaning less cost in improved maternal and in-
medical bills and a better fant health outcomes.
health outcome. Also, they The health picture is even
can be referred to specialized bigger than that, though and
care without having to wait CareLink also helps address
until they are sick enough to different important health
go to an emergency room. needs through multiple part-
CareLink is not an insurance nerships with other organiza-
plan, but once enrolled our staff will work with a member to establish tions, e.g., the San Antonio Food Bank, City Public Service (CPS) and
a monthly payment plan for medical expenses. Payment plans are based San Antonio Water System (SAWS).
on total household income and the number of persons in the family. “We don’t provide every health need, but take a holistic approach to
Bexar County residents with incomes at or below 200% of the federal be able to link people to other health care needs like food security and
poverty level, and do not have access to affordable health coverage are utilities,” Gonzalez said. “Everyone who enrolls is screened for eligibil-
eligible for this program. ity and need for these other programs.”
In 2021, the average monthly enrollment in CareLink was 27,850 So, while CareLink originally began with the straightforward pur-
total members. Since Texas has not expanded Medicaid, many adults pose of providing access to care, it provides more pieces of the public
under 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are left without coverage health puzzle, with screenings and affordability programs that address
and they are a considerable portion of the uninsured and CareLink a broad array of health needs. “That has been an important evolution,”
population. Without insurance coverage, buying medications can be Gonzalez said.
out of reach for many people. CareLink helps members to get access
by linking them to the patient assistance programs maintained by large Elizabeth Allen is the Director of External Communications
drug companies. When people are eligible for other programs, like at University Health.
Medicaid or other insurance coverage through the health care exchange

18 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • September 2022