A first-of-its-kind medical care program in Washington State introduced 7 years ago never has taken off as planners envisioned. A few primary care doctors around the state offer what's called Direct Care practices - that is, patients pay a set monthly fee for office visits and routine treatment, and sometimes bothersome, slow-pay insurance coverage is eliminated.
A summary of direct care practices compiled by the state insurance commissioner shows declining enrollments, increased costs and several health providers pulling out of the small market.
While four new practices opened on the west side of the state this year, three - including two in Spokane and one in Lakewood - closed.
The number of patients also declined, from about 13-thousand-three hundred to only about 47-hundred. Some of those who dropped out may have secured health insurance coverage under the federally mandated Affordable Care Act.
Fees vary widely - from about $40 a month to as much as as #910 monthly. The average rose to $150 a month.
