The HOPE Center
Macon, Georgia
The Center of Excellence
Q & A - Please read entire page
Who is eligible for services at The HOPE Center?
Person should be diagnosed as having HIV disease and live within the North Central Health District and have appropriate proof of HIV and residency. For a list of counties in the North Central Health District see Service Area.
How do I make an appointment to be seen at The HOPE Center?
Call The HOPE Center office at 478-405-7220 between 7 AM and 5 PM Monday - Friday to schedule an appointment. When you make the call you will need your Name, Social Security number and date of birth. If you are currently being seen by another physician or clinic, please let the office know so arrangements can be made to transfer your records and care.
I have made my appointment and preparing for my first visit; what items should I bring with me?
Your first appointment is for your initial intake; this appointment will last for about two hours so please do not be in a rush to leave. During this appointment you will visit with several people for your initial assessments. You will need:
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Valid photo identification,
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Any medication you currently take,
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Proof of income (if any),
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If no income a letter of support from entity providing food and housing for you
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Proof of insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, etc. (if any)
During your first visit you will receive the following assessments:
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Vital signs
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Nursing Assessment
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Nutritional Assessment
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Case Management Assessment
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Initial laboratory draws
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Schedule first physicians appointment
Why will I not see a physician at my first appointment?
Before your physician can plan a course of care for you they will not only need to study your assessment data gathered at your first visit but also receive the results of your initial laboratory results. With this information in hand, they can do a better physician's assessment at your first doctor's appointment and have a greater chance of more accurately develop your care system early to enhance your clinic experience.
My appointment was for 7:00 AM; why was I not seen at that time?
Appointments are scheduled by the day and all appointments are scheduled for the same time each clinic day. Consumers are then seen on a first come first served basis until all consumers are served.
What are the hours of clinics at The HOPE Center?
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM;
All consumers arriving before 9:00 AM will be seen that day |
| Wednesday | 1:30 PM This is occasionally a short clinic and everyone should be on time. All consumers arriving by 2:30 PM will be seen that day. |
| Consumers arriving after 9:30 AM on Tuesday or 2:30 PM on Wednesday will be rescheduled for a future clinic day.
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Other clinics are scheduled for other days for special purposes (first time consumers, high risk pregnancy, etc.); these are very small clinics and you should be on time for these.)
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| If you are unable to keep an appointment, please contact The HOPE Center as soon as you become aware of the conflict
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I can not afford to see the doctor; what can I do?
The HOPE Center does not refuse service to anyone for the inability to pay. All consumers are seen and charged on a sliding fee scale. If you have no income you will not be charged for services. Programs are also available to provide needed medications. Your case manager will assist you in applying for benefits.
How do I pay for services I receive at The HOPE Center?
The HOPE Center accepts cash, money orders, Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance policy plans. For complete details please contact Melanie Yarbrough.
The van is late picking me up; what should I do?
If it is the Central City AIDS Network van; call Jim Motes immediately at 478-731-6119 for pick up.
For Medicaid vans, please contact LogistiCare at
888-224-7981 or 478-476-0446 (Macon Office).
Also notify The HOPE Center of the situation for possible re-scheduling.
I have a sore throat and need to see a doctor; can I come to The HOPE Center?
Maybe; with Dr. Vincent Waite on staff now, he may be able to see you. Call The HOPE Center to see if he is available. Otherwise, go to the nearest emergency room or neighborhood health center for treatment.
May I assign The HOPE Center as my primary health care provider?
Yes; please ask The HOPE Center staff for assistance. The HOPE Center has added Dr. Vincent Waite to staff to handle both primary care consumers and stable HIV consumers.
How do you maintain my confidentiality?
The HOPE Center is fully HIPAA compliant; HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act passed by the U. S. Congress to provide stringent guidelines on how your health information is collected, stored and shared with others.
Your medical information is stored in locked filing cabinets in a locked file room; only authorized staff have access to this room and the files. No information is shared with anyone outside The HOPE Center without your explicit written Release of Information authorizing this release.
A privacy statement is posted in various locations throughout The HOPE Center for you to read and you can request your own copy of this policy at any time.
Please discuss any issues or questions you have about your privacy, medical records or any other questions you may have about your care with any HOPE Center staff.
Why am I given a number at check in and not called by my name during the clinic appointment?
The numbered ticket you are given is matched to an identical number placed on your record for the single visit only. This allows staff to call you for your different assessments without calling your name in the waiting room; this is another effort made by staff to insure your identity will be protected while in the clinic system.
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Last Updated 02/16/2009
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