TIFTON — Tift Regional Medical Center and Georgia Watch joined together to sponsor a free consumer workshop, “Affording Hospital Care,” open to the public at noon Tuesday at the Neighborhood Service Center. A second session was also held later that day at 6 p.m.

Georgia Watch was founded in 2002 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501-(c)(3) watchdog group focusing on consumer education and research in the areas of health care, insurance, identity theft, consumer energy issues and personal finance.

The purpose of the workshop is to empower consumers on how best to approach a hospital visit and regulating rising healthcare costs. Consumers were educated on the latest health news, including the potential impact of the recently passed federal health care law.

Georgia Watch Hospital Accountability Project Director Holly Lang was quoted about the event as stating, “Medical debt is something that can affect any of us at any time. We’re excited to have the opportunity to team with Tift Regional to talk with patients and residents about ways to navigate the hospital’s financial assistance system in addition to other relevant health issues that are important to everyone, regardless of whether you have insurance.”

The noon session had a good turnout from the public. Guests were served with a complimentary meal and beneficial information about how to deal with heathcare costs. Guest speakers were Lang, Deputy Director Danny Orrock and General Outreach Developer Ashley Wilson. Lang said she was excited to hear from the public about any concerns and that Georgia Watch’s duty is to make decisions on what’s good for consumers.

The session began with Lang presenting a slideshow about what people can do to help minimize their healthcare costs with available options and not to avoid the situation. She said that the Hospital Accountability Project started in 2007 and has been a priority of Georgia Watch. Lang said the project addresses four main areas: Outreach, research, advocacy and most importantly, consumer education. It aims to broaden accessibility to affordable, quality health care at the state’s hospitals for uninsured, underinsured and low-income Georgians by addressing socioeconomic obstacles, hospital policies, community benefits and regulations. Also, she discussed the Indigent Care Trust Fund, a 20-year-old state program that helps with hospital bills.

“Hospital bills are where you’re going to have the highest costs,” Lang said. “Programs do exist, as well as other options, to help with this. We encounter a lot of people who avoid their health bills, but there are ways to help in handling them.”

Lang advised guests that they can work toward establishing an agreement, a discount or at least talking to their health care provider to find out what options are available to them in order to help decrease their payments. She said it’s important for people to know their level of income to qualify for a discount, so that they can determine what area they fall in and what can be done to help with a payment plan option.

“Never ignore the bill,” Lang said. “Communicate with the financial office to determine payment options.”

Also, Lang discussed other ways to afford care — walk-in clinics, available prescription assistance plans and annual check-ups. She said walk-in clinics are cost-effective for families without a regular primary-care physician and that getting annual check-ups is effective at detecting any problems that can be taken care of before they get too serious, leading to higher costs. Dental care is important and if not taken care of it can lead to other health issues, Lang said.

“We want to help you the best way we can,” Lang said. “Communication is important in letting health care providers know your situation. I’m excited to help people realize that there are options and it’s OK to ask.”

Orrock informed guests about how to avoid getting into debt by investing in loans.

“Do not pay with title pawns,” Orrock said. “It’s costly and it builds up month by month, and it’s very expensive and risky.”

Orrock said that some people who invest in title pawns risk the chance of losing their vehicle by being only one day late with payments. He said it doesn’t always happen, but it can and it has. It’s an expensive way to get money to pay off debt, Orrock said. Loans get you further in debt. He said it’s the last place people should turn. Orrock advised that people should also beware of payday loans. They are illegal in Georgia and have many disguises. He further advised guests to know of payday lenders in Georgia and report them. Borrowers will not be penalized, only the lender, Orrock said.

Wilson addressed utility payments such as Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Georgia Power. She said LIHEAP assists low-income households, partially those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy. Wilson said this program will open for qualified applicants under 65 years of age Dec. 1. It’s given on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. People can apply at the Coastal Plains Area Economic Opportunity Authority in Valdosta, number 244-7860, or at Southwest Community Action Council in Moultire, number 985-3610. You must bring proof of income for all household members for the past 30 days, proof of Social Security number for each person in the household, your last month’s heating bill for the household and proof of citizenship or legal immigrant status.

Also, Georgia Power offers electricity discounts for senior citizens who are 65 years of age or older with a total household income of $14,355 or less per year. A monthly discount of $14 is applied to the customer’s pre-fuel monthly bill amount. In addition, seniors who get the senior citizen’s discount will receive a $6 per month fuel credit to their bills. The electric service must be individually metered and in the senior’s name. For more information call 1-888-660-5890. Wilson also discussed telephone discounts, such as Lifeline Assistance and Link-Up Georgia.



To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321.