Application Process
1. Medical Screening: It must first be determined that the patient does indeed have an eye problem that requires surgery. In most instances the patient will have seen his or her own eye doctor and will have been advised that further surgery is required. If the applicant has not bween examined, he or whe must be seen by the local eye doctor to ascertain that surgery is required. Patients should take the Patient Referral Form to their local eye doctor at the time of their appointment and ask that it be filled out and returned to them. The local eye docto's diagnosis and signature must appear on the form. At this time, the patient should also give the reason he or she wishes to be helped by the Utah Eye Care Initiative (i.e. compelling reasons for selection). The cost of such local eye care must be paid by the individual or by a sponsoring Lions Club.
2. Financial Screening: Once a medical need has been established, it must be determined that the patient is financially eligible to participate in this program. The applicant must be asked:
I. If his or her financial status meets the following criteria:
a. Single person/married couple $22,800, single parent/parent with one child $25,200, single parent/patent with two children $27,600, single patent/parent with three children $30,000, add $2,400 for each additional child.
b. Liquid assets not to exceed $15,000 including cash, stocks, bonds, and cash value of life insurance.
c. Fixed assets: In the event an applicant is unable to assume charges at the present time, but has assets in excess of $50,000 the applicant will be asked to sign a statement promising to repay the Utah Eye Care Initiative for costs of care at any such future date that the assets are liquidated or transferred or at any such future date that he or she is otherwise able to do so.
d. In the event a minor applicant has no income or assets and is being supported by a relative or others who are legally responsible, such a person must submit financial information concerning his or her income, assets, etc.
II. If his or her eye treatment is covered by any of the following:
a. Health mainternance organization (HMO): If the patient is enrolled in an HMO, he or she does not the services provided by the Utah Eye Care Initiative. These patients should use the services they are already paying for.
b. Health insurance, medical, and/or hospital: If the policy provides inadequate coverage or if the coverage is insufficient such that the charges not covered create a financial hardship for the applicant, he or she may be provided surgery through the Utah Eye Care Initiative. If on the other hand the patient is financially able to pay for the charges not covered (including the deductible) he or she may be referred to the Moran Eye Center for surgery, but the Utah Eye Care Initiative will not pay for care.
c. Medicaid: If the patient is on medicaid, his or her clinic visits and hospital costs are paid in full under the Medicaid porgram. If the patient elects to have treatment at the Moran eye Center they must bring their Medicaid card with them, but the patient referral form should not be used. A letter or phone call to the Moran Eye Center (801-581-2352 or toll-free 1-877-248-6374) to schedule a visit is all that is required.
d. Medicare: If the applicant has Medicare and is able to pay his or her own way within the Medicare system, he or she does not need the services provided by the Utah Eye Care Initiative. The Patient Referral form should not be used. A letter or a phone call to the Moran Eye Center is all that is required. If on the other hand the patient is unable to pay for charges not covered under Medicare, the Patient Referral Form should be used, making certain that the Medicare information is forwarded to the Director of Financial Aid along sith the application. Patients with Medicare supplements (private insurance) do not require a referral to the Utah Eye Care Initiative for services and are not eligible for care within the Utah Eye Care Initiative. These patients will be accepted as private patients of the Moran Eye Center.
III. If his or her residency meets the following criteria:
a. One year's continuous residency in the state of Utah. Exceptions are children who only need to show proof that they currently reside within the state of Utah.
b. Individual over the age of 18 who are not citizens of the United States or lawful permanent residents will not be eligible for services from the Utah Eye Care initiative.
3. Patient Considerations: Once eligibility is determined, the following financial responsibilities must be resolved:
I. Transportation: The patient or referring Lion's Club is responsible for transportation to and from the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City. It should be noted that if suregery is involved, two or more postoperative visits to the Moran Eye Center may be required.
II. Housing: The cost of lodging shall be the responsibility of the individual patient or the referring Lions's club.
III. Non-Moran Eye Center services and charges: The Utah Eye Care Initiative can only pay for services rendered at the Moran Eye Center.
4. Patient Referral for Care: Once the patient's medical and financial needs have been established, the Patient Referral Form and the Application for Financial Assistamnce should be completed ande forwarded to Lee Flynn at the Utah Lions Foundation. After the Utah Lions Foundation has compiled all of the necessary information, the Foundation will forward the information to the Moran eye Center for review by the Director of Financial Aid and the UECI Medical Director. Once the information has been reviewed and the referral approved, an appointment will be forwarded to the patient. If for any reason the patient is found to be ineligible for services, either for financial or medical reasons, a letter stating the reason for denial will be sent to the patient with a copy sent to the referring physician. When the patient has been examined a report will be sent to the patient's referring eye doctor.
