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Ochsner Health Care Bridge Program Provides New Option for Individuals Who Lost Health Insurance Due to COVID-19

A new healthcare solution is available for Louisiana residents who recently lost health insurance and are currently uninsured due to COVID-19. The new Ochsner Health Care Bridge program is a three-month program designed to keep individuals connected to their Ochsner physicians and the healthcare services they need to manage chronic conditions, get prescriptions filled, and in many cases, get prescription drug assistance.

“Ochsner Health recognizes that consistent access to ongoing care is key to helping individuals live healthier lives and our virtual platform enables them to stay connected in ways that are also safe and convenient. At a time when many of our community members have lost their jobs and health insurance, this program is geared to provide a bridge to help individuals maintain relationships with their providers and get the high quality healthcare they need,” said Robert Hart, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Ochsner Health.

Over a three-month period, Ochsner Health Care Bridge enrollees can participate in two virtual visits with their Ochsner primary care provider and securely communicate with their care team, obtain test results and manage medication requests via the online MyOchsner patient portal. Individuals who are not currently established with an Ochsner primary care provider will be connected with one.

Additionally, the program covers one lab panel set – a critical diagnostic tool for primary care providers to evaluate an individual’s overall health. Participants will receive a:

  • Complete metabolic panel, which tests for a variety of diseases and conditions including high blood pressure, kidney disease and liver disease as well as provides insight into chemical balance and metabolism
  • Lipid profile to evaluate cholesterol levels
  • Complete blood count, which analyzes and measures the various components of blood to test for various disorders including leukemia (cancer of blood-forming tissues) and anemia (a lack of red blood cells that leads to reduced oxygen levels in the body)

In lieu of a complete blood count, participants with diabetes will receive a hemoglobin A1C test, which measures the average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. This blood test provides a primary care provider with key data needed to evaluate and adjust a patient’s diabetes treatment plan.

The Ochsner Health Care Bridge program is $49 per month for three months. Upon enrollment, participants will be screened to determine what type of prescription drug assistance may be available to them. At the end of the three-month period, program participants will have the option to renew for another three-month period or cancel.

For more information or to apply for Ochsner Health Care Bridge email carebridge@ochsner.org or visit ochsner.org/carebridge. For the latest updates on how Ochsner is responding to COVID-19, please visit Ochsner.org/safe.

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About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit committed to giving back to the communities it serves through preventative screenings, health and wellness resources and partnerships with innovative organizations that share our vision. Ochsner Health healed more than 876,000 people from across the globe in 2019, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner Health is a national leader, named the top hospital in Louisiana and a top children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report. As Louisiana’s leading healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. Ochsner Health is innovating healthcare by investing in new technologies and research to make world-class care more accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner's team of more than 26,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the region. To learn more about Ochsner Health, please visit www.ochsner.org. To transform your health, please visit www.ochsner.org/healthyyou.