Food Resource Connection: Wholesome Wave Georgia Benefits Specialist In 2022, Wellstar launched a new partnership with Wholesome Wave Georgia, funded by the Wellstar Foundation. Through this partnership, Wellstar increases its capacity to provide on-site, real-time referrals and registration for the following forms of government assistance: ■ Children and Parent Services ■ Medicaid ■ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ■ Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ■ Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children The bilingual Benefits Specialist integrates their specialized knowledge of governmental assistance programs to support community residents at the “Wellstar on Wheels” Mobile Market and Passport to Health community events. They also share knowledge amongst our Community Clinic Network and the Congregational Health Network. Figure 17 | Benefits Specialist Impact Community residents educated on accessing the Benefits Specialist
11,000+ community residents educated on accessing the Benefits Specialist Households from the following high-risk zip codes were served: 30233, 30008, 30034, 30060, 30106, 30134, 30141, 30157, 30168, 30233, 30240, 30241
5,000
4,456
4,000
3,625
3,000
2,992
2,000
1,000
0
FY22
FY23
FY24
SUCCESS STORY: A pregnant mom participating in Community Health’s Operation MIST program was referred to the Benefits Specialist due to a
lapse in insurance coverage, occurring within weeks of her due date. Mom shared that her medical office was not able to continue seeing her without payment and she did not have the means to pay for out of pocket for visits. As the Benefits Specialist researched eligibility, it was determined that mom did not have a lapse in coverage; rather there was an eligibility error within the system used by the medical office. The Benefits Specialist was able to connect with the medical office and advocate for the acceptance of the client’s Medicaid eligibility, as evidenced by an eligibility determination letter. Because of the Benefits Specialist’s partnership, mom did not miss any of her end of pregnancy appointments and did not have to worry about unexpected medical expenses during the last trimester of her pregnancy. SUCCESS STORY: The Benefits Specialist has become a trusted source of assistance. Participants who have successfully obtained benefits through assistance with applications have returned to be assisted with renewals, and for troubleshooting common issues like misplaced cards. One community resident returned to receive support for 4 consecutive renewals in addition to his initial application first completed in 2022. The resident has expressed his desire to continue to seek assistance due to the ease of partnering with the Benefits Specialist.
30 | WELLSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM
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