Premera Blue Cross: Expanding Access in Spokane County

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In this episode of The Checkup, we learn about new healthcare options in Spokane County. What is a PCP desert? If you're in Spokane County, you likely know. A PCP desert is an area where people wait weeks, sometimes months to have an appointment with a Primary Care Provider. In Spokane County, there have been reports of waiting 6 to 9 months to establish care. What happens in the meantime? People go to emergency rooms or urgent care facilities which have always been intended for the catastrophic or the late-night, can't wait situations. According to Primary Care Progress "Primary care can head potentially serious problems off at the pass. As a result, adults in the U.S. who have a primary care provider have 19% lower odds of premature death than those who only see specialists for their care...Access to primary care helps keep people out of emergency rooms, where care costs at least four times as much other outpatient care. A study in a North Carolina ER found that nearly 60% of the patients’ problems could have been addressed in a primary care clinic for a savings of a whopping 320-720% – that’s a value of three to seven times less."

Premera Blue Cross has partnered with Vera Whole Health to open the first of three clinics in Spokane. The first will be open in January and is scheduling appointments now! Vivacity Care Center is staffed by three physicians, nurses, behavioral health specialists, health coaches and care advocates who will work together to identify care gaps. There will be more patient time to avoid hospital stays and emergency rooms visits because good patient care will happen early. Vivacity will help patients and doctors connect the dots again by having a longer appointment with a doctor who will provide a warm hand off to a health coach or a behavioral health specialist whether it's help with a new diagnosis, mental healthcare, health coaching or other plans of action. To conclude your visit you may spend time with a care advocate will help you understand your cost shares, where to pick up prescriptions or connect with community resources. NOW we are talking about real solutions that improve the lives of the humans in our communities and that's something to be hopeful about!

If you're in Spokane and would like to schedule an appointment, call 509-228-3300. You can get a sneak peek at the clinic or learn more visiting their website Vivacity Care Clinic