PATIENT NAVIGATOR CORNER DECEMBER 2023

The Patient Navigator program is funded in part by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals and an earmark from the State of Ohio and managed by the Ohio Department of Health.

Update: Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Ohio Chapter Assistance Programs

In the February, 2023 issue of Living with Lupus Magazine, the Patient Navigator Corner presented the LFA, GOC’s Assistance Programs. These programs were created as a response to a needs assessment survey of lupus warriors in the state of Ohio. The results showed that lupians would benefit from some help with healthcare transportation, medical financial assistance, and mental health counseling. The Chapter submitted grant proposals and was successful in receiving funding for the programs.

We want to share with you some of the data we collected from these programs. From October 2022 - June 2023:

• 19 patients received an average of $191.18 assistance for out-of-pocket medical expenses

• 10 patients took 79 roundtrip and 3 single-trip Uber rides to healthcare appointments

• 16 patients were referred for mental health counseling with Signature Health

The majority of lupians who participated in and sent feedback about these programs were very satisfied with the help they received. We are happy that our funding has been continued for these programs, and we are also pleased to announce that we have received funding for a new Food Assistance Program.

We want to make sure that all lupus warriors know about and take advantage of these programs if they qualify. In order to get started with any of these programs, you will need to complete the CASE SDOH Needs Assessment form (Case Assessment Systems Evaluation - Social Determinants of

Health). This is an assessment that collects information about barriers to care that a lupus patient may have. After the CASE SDOH Needs Assessment Form is completed, a patient navigator will contact you to discuss the program(s).

Healthcare Transportation Program

This program gives transportation assistance to lupus patients who have difficulty getting to and from healthcare appointments. We look to see if there are health transportation services in your area. If none exist or if the local services do not work for you, we have a partnership with Uber Health. If this is a good fit for you, we can schedule a ride with Uber Health to take you to and from your healthcare appointment.

Medical Assistance Program

This program supplies financial assistance to lupus patients who have out-of-pocket medical expenses. Copies of receipts for current medical expenses that you have already paid are required. Current receipts refers to those medical expenses that have been paid within 2 months of the CASE form submission. Some examples of covered expenses are doctor and medication copays, lab, procedure, hospital, therapy, dental, and vision care bills.

Food Assistance Program

This program provides a gift card to a grocery store, which may be used for food purchases only. After using the gift card, we ask the lupus patient to send us a copy of the receipt(s) for the food items that were purchased. This helps us keep track of spending for the program.

Mental Health Counseling Assistance Program with Signature Health

This program provides assistance for mental health counseling evaluation and therapy sessions. If you do not have a

Medicaid or Medicare insurance plan that is accepted by Signature Health, the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Ohio Chapter will cover the costs of one evaluation session and up to four counseling sessions.

These programs are available while funding lasts. The assistance cap total per person is $200 every six months that can be used for up to three programs: Medical, Healthcare Transportation, and Food. For Mental Health Counseling, the cap is one evaluation session and four counseling sessions every six months (if Signature Health does not accept the patient’s health insurance or if the patient has no health insurance). You may participate in one, two, three, or all four programs.

If you are interested in any of these programs, please complete the CASE SDOH

Needs Assessment Form: https:// forms.gle/7BcT9nTFDtL9nDLY6

A Patient Navigator will then contact you.

For more information or to speak with a Patient Navigator, please call us at 1 (888) NO-LUPUS, (888) 665-8787, (440) 717-0183 or email us at info@ lupusgreaterohio.org. We’d love to hear from you!

The patient navigators wish you and your families a joyous holiday season and a very happy, healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year!

The Walk to End Lupus Now® provides people affected by lupus and their families with the opportunity to come together for one purpose: ending lupus. This year, the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Ohio Chapter held walks in Cleveland and Columbus. The Walk to End Lupus Now® brings the lupus community together to raise money for lupus research, increases awareness of the disease, and rallies public support for those who suffer from its impact.

The LFA, GOC would like to thank those who came out in support of the fight to end lupus in 2023. Participants joined together at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus on August 26