Two clinics promise treatment, regardless of income

Two clinics promise treatment, regardless of income

By Connie Thompson
SEATTLE -- With the recent economic slump, the number of people using hospital emergency rooms for treatment has jumped as much as 30 percent. More people are out of work and with no health insurance, they use the ER to replace their family doctor.

But for many, there's an alternative where lack of insurance in not an obstacle. And patients who know about it are traveling miles out of their way to get a local primary care physician they can see on a regular basis, without having to worry about getting turned down over money.

One couple taking advantage is Deborah Spear and her fiance Darion Mallard.

After Deborah's recent stroke, they didn't have to worry about finding a doctor to follow up with Deborah's care, thanks to the Country Doctor Community Clinic.

"We don't deny services to anybody, based on their inability to pay," said Dr. Rich Kovar, medical director at the clinic -- one of two unique clinics in Seattle.

The clinics have one mission: Provide quality health care without regard to the patient's ability to pay the bill. Patients are billed on a sliding scale, with a co-pay based on documented annual income.

"Many of our patients go on and off insurance but they still can come here and not be treated any differently," Kovar said.
read more here
http://www.komonews.com/news/consumer/57288832.html