Volunteer FAQs

How many new patients can Primary Care Providers expect to see each month?

We ask primary care providers to accept one or two new patients per month.

How many new patients can Specialty Care Providers expect to see each month?

We ask specialty providers to accept two new patients per month. Patients must be specifically referred by their primary care provider. Specialty providers will only see the patient for the particular referred consultation and no other matter.

If one of my current patients loses his or her medical insurance, how do I determine if they might be eligible for SeaCare?

Physician/health care providers do NOT need to worry about testing patients for income standards. Contact a care coordinator at (603) 772-8119. We will verify eligibility and will notify the referring physician/health care provider if the patient is not eligible. The four basic eligibility requirements are as follows:

• The patient must continue to see you regularly
• The patient must have a low income
• The patient may not be eligible for any healthcare programs, including insurance, Medicaid (Healthy Kids Gold), Medicare, Native Health Benefits, VA Benefits or TriCare
• New SeaCare patients must live in one of the 21 service towns in the seacoast

What is SeaCare’s pharmaceutical policy?

If you can provide a complete course of treatment using medication samples, please do so. Samples can also be used if the patient needs treatment while waiting to sign up for a prescription assistance program. If you are on staff at the Exeter Hospital, SeaCare Medication Bridge will help patients sign up for them. Other physicians can refer their patients to the Medication Assistance Program (MAP).

What if a SeaCare patient doesn’t show up for an appointment, or has some other non-medical problem interfering with medical care?

Patients enrolled in SeaCare agreed to take responsibility for complying with providers and their offices. We can help coach a patient if you let us know there is an issue. Please contact SeaCare’s main office in Exeter at (603) 772-8119 for help.

What SeaCare services are donated for patient care at this time?

• Primary care from internists, family practitioners, pediatricians and nurse practitioners on staff at Exeter and Portsmouth Hospitals and at Families First Health Center in Portsmouth
• Almost all necessary specialties. If your patient needs a service not presently offered by our volunteer network, we will try to arrange it.
• Laboratory services
• Diagnostic Imaging services
• Limited mental health care (8 visits)
• Free or reduced-cost hospitalization
• Alternative medical services (acupuncture, massage, chiropractic etc.)