Local News

September 6, 2007

Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday approved a recommendation to allow the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic to charge cash paying patients fees that are based on a sliding scale.
The adoption of a sliding scale will make the clinic eligible for federal and state loan forgiveness programs, said clinic Business Manager Kathy Patterson.
A report from the Clinic Advisory Board said the sliding scale would apply to approximately 445 people, 13 percent of the clinic patients. These cash paying customers usually have no health insurance or aren’t eligible for Medicare or Medicaid.
Patterson said the clinic staff will offer application information to patients. The patients will fill out applications and provide income information at the county’s Health and Human Services Community Outreach office at 42 Elochoman Valley Road.
The sliding scale is based on the federal poverty level. A family of four persons and an income of $20,650 or less would pay $15 per visit. With an income of $37,170, the family of four would receive only a 20 percent discount.
In other news regarding the clinic, Advisory Board member Sandi-Benbrook Rieder said some mailings are planned.
One will be from the clinic and Dr. Richard Avalon, who has resigned effective September 1.
The advisory board has recruiting efforts underway and will be contacting a doctor in New Orleans who is interested in relocating to the Pacific Northwest.
Another mailing will solicit contributions to help with recruiting efforts.
Patterson also reported that clinic clerks had reduced the uncollected accounts receivable from $239,000 in May to $163,000, “about where we should be,” at the end of August.