Clinical Program
Augusta University Health is the state's only academic public health center and has a long history of providing HIV/AIDS care for the state's underrepresented populations. Our staff includes six Infectious Diseases/Internal Medicine doctors, four fellows, two physician assistants, five registered nurses, a nurse practitioner, a pharmacist, four case managers/social workers, program coordinator, psychosocial counselors, and other health care professionals.
The clinical program is an outpatient clinic that provides the following services:
- Medical evaluation and clinic care
- Laboratory services
- Treatment adherence counseling
- Nutritional counseling
- Gynecological services
- Outpatient mental health counseling
- Outpatient drug/substance abuse counseling
- Referrals for specialty and subspecialty care (including dental services, psychiatry, pain management, gynecology, and other primary care services)
- Pharmacy
- Dental/oral health care
Social work & case management services:
- Help with the following applications
- AIDS Drug Assistance Program (Georgia or South Carolina ADAP)
- Health Insurance Continuation Program (HICP)
- Patient Assistance Foundation (PAF)
- Patient Assistance Program (PAP)
- Co-pay cards
- Drug Manufacturers’ Programs
- Indigent Care Trust Fund (for Georgia and South Carolina residents)
- Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), dental services, food pantries, and other community resources
- Co-pay assistance through 340B
- Transportation assistance
- Patient treatment and care education
- Support groups
- Financial planning
- Help with ACA insurance applications and planning
Services to come include:
- Resource library
Program eligibility
Each patient will become a part of a care team which will require active participation from the patient. Each team will consist of the provider (Physician, Physician Assistant, or Fellow), nurse, medical case manager, and eligibility specialist. The case manager will be the immediate point of contact to liaise between the patient and the provider.
To become eligible for the Ryan White program you will need the following:
- Intake appointment: All new patients (newly diagnosed and transferring care) and return to care patients must attend an intake appointment before their first provider visit. This appointment will consist of reviewing medical history, an overview of the program, treatment adherence assessment, and patient rights and responsibilities. Each patient will meet with a team member (pharmacist, case manager, nurse, and psychosocial counselor) to answer any questions or discuss any problems.
- Eligibility documents: We require that proofs of identification, insurance (if applicable), income, and residency be submitted to your case manager once a year. These documents can be provided in person or via email, fax, mail, or the AU Health VIP portal. Non-compliance can result in loss of services.
- Lab appointments: Labs must be completed 2 weeks in advance. All patients who show up to their provider appointment without labs or eligibility documents will be rescheduled.