Patient Resources

Respect for the patient.

Hometown Health Centers believes you should feel welcome and comfortable when you visit the Center for all of our healthcare services. We recognize that being a patient can create anxiety. For many, it is a new experience and we understand there may be many questions.

At HHC, our goal is to give you as much information as possible so that you understand exactly what to expect. It is perfectly normal for you to ask questions, and we are always happy to answer them. We want you to feel welcome and cared for, with privacy, respect and courtesy. We try to make everyone’s visit as pleasant as possible.

A “Patient Bill of Rights” is posted in all patient waiting and clinical areas.  Patient care policies and procedures dealing with treatment or referrals are designed to serve your best interests.

 

HIPAA and Patient Privacy

Hometown Health Centers is committed to protecting your healthcare privacy. It demonstrates this commitment by obeying laws like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Hometown also enforces its internal policies and procedures which are reviewed and approved by its Board of Directors.

You can learn more about your privacy rights by clicking this link to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

If you believe your health information has been stolen, wrongly shared, or inappropriately seen while a patient at Hometown Health Centers, immediately contact Hometown’s HIPAA/Privacy Officer at 518-688-3460.

Accepted Insurances

 

Please click here to review the current insurances accepted by Hometown Health. 

Insurance Enrollment

We have enrollment specialists on site to help with qualifying uninsured patients to enroll in free or low-cost health insurance. We enroll through the New York State of Health Marketplace and a variety of specialized Medicaid programs. To see if you qualify, please bring the following items with you to your visit:

  • Photo identification
  • Social security numbers, or documents for legal immigrants
  • Employer and income information for everyone in your family – pay stubs, unemployment benefits, award letters, etc.
  • Proof of your address – required for certain specialized Medicaid programs
  • Policy numbers and cards for any current health insurance
  • Information about any health coverage available to your family

For more information, visit the official website for New York “State of Health” or call a Hometown Health enrollment specialist at 518-370-1441, extension 4708.

Sliding Fee Discount Program

Hometown Health Centers offers a sliding fee discount program for all eligible uninsured, underinsured, and/or low-income patients based on household size and family size. 

For all patients who wish to apply for the sliding fee program, participants must complete a sliding fee discount program application.  Proof of household income is required. The fee schedule for the sliding fee program is based on the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines which are updated annually by the US Department of Health and Human Services. 

A health center representative will evaluate the application along with all required documentation to determine if the patient qualifies for the program.  Once assessed, a patient who meets the income guidelines would receive a sliding fee discount based on the sliding fee schedule.  If the patient is eligible for the sliding fee program, eligibility starts on the date of application and must be re-evaluated every six months unless a qualifying event occurs. 

For more information, please call a Hometown Health Centers enrollment specialist at (518) 370-1441, extension 4708, or inquire in person at patient registration.

Electronic Medical Records

We will establish a permanent electronic medical record (EMR) and dental record for your care at the health center. Hometown Health uses eClincalWorks™, a fully unified EMR/PM system with all the functionality needed to support practices and enterprise groups of all sizes and specialties.

A single database is used to link patient demographics and medical records to insurance, billing and claims data. Disposition of your medical and dental charts will conform with the law and regulations according to the Public Health Law, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rules, and the New York State Department of Health.

Patient Education

To help you research medical conditions, tests, procedures and other topics, Hometown Health subscribes to Vivacare’s education portal at this link:  Health Education. There are hundreds of topics to research and explore so you can be more informed when you come for your scheduled visit.

Assistance with Translation

Hometown Health provides you with telephone translation services upon request. This service is free and is accessible through an 800 number subscription service with a code from any phone within the Hometown Health Center. More than 100 languages can be interpreted with this service.

We also have several staff members who are bilingual (English/Spanish) and will assist patients upon request. Literature is available to patients in English and Spanish.

Important documents and web links

Adult Registration Form (English) – save time by filling out this form before your scheduled visit. 

Child Registration Form (English)

Adult Registration Form (Spanish) – Economice tiempo y llene este formulario de regrisation antes de venir a su cita.

Child Registration Form (Spanish)

Consent Form (English)

Consent Form (Spanish)

Health Proxy Information – English and Spanish.  Instructions and frequently-asked questions about appointing a health proxy.

Medical and Dental Records Release Form (English) – This form is to request a copy of your medical or dental records to be sent to yourself or a medical provider. Please print and fill out this form and bring it to the front desk. You will be required to show picture ID.

Medical and Dental Records Release Form (Spanish) – Spanish version of the above form.

Notice of Privacy Practices – English – How your health information will be used and how you can access it.

Notice of Privacy Practices – Spanish – Spanish version of the above form.

Patient Bill of Rights – Your rights as a patient of Hometown Health Centers.

Patient Bill of Rights – Spanish version of the above form.

New York “State of Health” – For more information, visit the official website, or call a Hometown Health enrollment specialist at 518-370-1441, extension 4708.

Health Education – Research medical conditions, medications, medical procedures, tests, and general health topics through the Hometown Health Center Education Portal.

Code of Conduct – The expected behavior of all Hometown Health Centers employees

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement – Mandatory series of questions for all employees, directors on the Board, and consultants.