Medline answers your health questions

MedLine, a physician referral and health information service, is offering telephone assistance to people who need help related to changes in their health insurance coverage that took effect Jan. 1, 2004.

A MedLine physician referral specialist is available locally at 815-4300 or (800) 242-5662, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“When employers make changes in their health care benefit plans, employees often need help in locating new providers that are covered by their plans. Many health plan changes take effect at the beginning of a new calendar year. MedLine is here to assist employees who have questions, and we encourage them to call us,” said Carolyn Chapman, manager of MedLine.

MedLine, a service of TriStar Health System, has a database of over 3,000 physicians in 50 specialties within the state, including information on which plans cover their services.

“We provide this service to give families choice and access to affordable, quality health care options close to home. Our referral information covers a range of services from infant care to neurosurgery, and from cardiac care to rehab,” said Chapman.

TriStar Health System is the most comprehensive health care network in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky. TriStar serves over 63,500 admissions and over 256,000 emergency room visits per year system-wide, and is nationally recognized in the areas of cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, neurology and women’s health.