CareLink is not an insurance plan, but a financial assistance program designed to help low-income and uninsured residents of Bexar County access quality healthcare services.
The program covers various healthcare services, including adult primary care, pediatric care, cancer screenings, immunizations, OBGYN and women's health services, preventive care, pharmacy services, pregnancy and childbirth, and access to San Antonio hospitals.
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Eligibility for CareLink depends on residence in Bexar County, lack of other private or public health insurance, and low income.
Required documents for application may include income and resource details, wage verification forms, self-employment income forms, and account verification forms.
CareLink requires appointments for enrolling or renewing membership, which can be scheduled through the CareLink Enrollment Application or by calling CareLink Member Services at 210-358-3350.
The program assigns each member their own primary care physician and provides access to quality healthcare services at University Health System.
According to the US Census Bureau, in 2014, the percentage of people without health insurance in Bexar County, TX, was 23.0% for the 18-64 age group, all races, both sexes, and all income levels.
CareLink is a financial assistance program, not an insurance plan, and does not provide medical services.
To schedule doctor appointments, members must contact their doctor's office directly.
UTMB CareLink is a web-based application that allows referring physicians to access patient information safely and securely within UTMB Health's electronic medical record system.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the cost of healthcare services can be a significant burden for low-income individuals, as it can lead to delayed or foregone care.
Healthcare access disparities exist in Bexar County, with communities of color and older adults being disproportionately affected.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has had a mixed impact on healthcare access, with some experts arguing that it has improved health insurance coverage but others arguing that it has not done enough to address healthcare disparities.