Project Access patients are employed but make less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. They don't qualify for Medicaid or Medicare and don't have private insurance. Once patients are registered in the program, they receive an ID card to present when they see a Project Access physician.

Patient visits are "billed" to Project Access on the standard HCFA 1500 insurance claim form. Project Access tracks and assigns primary care, specialist referral, and follow-up through a database of volunteer physicians. At the end of the year, physicians get a report showing how many patients they saw and the value of that charity care (based on coding from the 1500 forms).

If patients need surgery, participating hospitals accept Project Access patients. And pharmaceuticals, lab tests, and other ancillary services are available to patients at no cost or at reduced cost.

Neighborhood and faith-based clinics have developed care coordination plans that include translation and transportation, ensuring patients navigate the system and gain access to social services that enable them to continue to receive adequate care and help them attain health insurance.