Guest Opinion: Orcas Medical Center Questions & Answers

-– from the Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF) –-

(Updated Dec. 5, 2016)

(This is the first in a series of answers to frequently asked questions about the OMF/UW Medicine plan to have a UW Neighborhood Clinic on Orcas Island. Each week, these updates will be submitted for publication and also added to an ongoing, cumulative OMF/UW Medicine Q&A document, available now at www.orcasmedicalcenter.com/q-a-omfuw-medicine in the interest of open, informed conversation.)

Why is a UW Neighborhood Clinic being considered for Orcas Island?
Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF) owns the Orcas Medical Center (OMC) building and contracts with medical professionals to manage the practice inside. Since 2011, Island Hospital of Anacortes has managed the OMC practice. All medical and support staff are currently employed by Island Hospital. In late September, Island Hospital informed OMF of its intention not to renew its contract after December 31, 2016. The OMF Board reached out to University of Washington Medicine to explore a long-term plan that could provide ALL islanders with the highest-quality primary care. After detailed discussions with OMF, in Seattle and on Orcas, UW Medicine responded with a letter of intent to establish a UW Neighborhood Clinic on Orcas.

Why UW Medicine?
UW Medicine is rated #1 in the Nation for Primary Care, Family and Rural Medicine, and already operates and manages a network of 12 successful UW Neighborhood Clinics throughout the Puget Sound region.

• UW Neighborhood Clinics is a not-for-profit organization, whose mandate is to serve the communities in which they have a presence.
• UW Neighborhood Clinics would bring many “best practices” to enable the Orcas clinic to function in the most cost-effective way possible, while maintaining highest-quality service.

What are the benefits to Orcas patients for an affiliation with UW Medicine?

• Provider retention for continuity of care is one of UW Medicine’s highest priorities. They are committed to creating work environments in which providers will want to stay for a long time.
• Continuity of care is further ensured by a team of providers working together for each patient, with a compensation model that bases rewards on three equal factors: effectiveness of medical outcomes for patients, patient satisfaction, and productivity.
• Also, there is an established system in place for recruitment of providers and administrative staff for all 12 of their clinics. Although traditional care is their main priority, UWNC is at the forefront of technology to assist primary-care providers in serving their patients. Their Epic medical records and IT systems will enable patients to:
  • schedule appointments electronically
  • have quicker access to lab results through the eCare system
  • have medical records accessible to patients (from home), to providers throughout the UW Medicine system, and to other Epic users including hospitals and providers nationwide
  • be able to communicate with physicians via e-mail to address questions or concerns
  • be able to communicate with many UW Medicine specialists on-screen via telecommunications

What will it take for the Orcas Medical Center to become a UW Neighborhood Clinic?
It cannot happen overnight. Computer systems have to be changed and patient records converted to a universally accepted Epic system. Transfers need to be made with Medicare, insurance companies and licensing authorities, and personnel need UW Medicine training. It is estimated that this can be completed by July 1, 2017 – but only if the transition begins at Orcas Medical Center (OMC) by January 15, 2017. UW Medicine estimates the cost of transitioning OMC to a UW Neighborhood Clinic will be $750,000. To move forward, they need for us to raise this $750,000 by mid-January – to cover all upfront transition costs and the first six months of operation until medical reimbursements begin to come in.

Who will manage the OMC practice from January 1 until July 1, 2107?
Island Hospital (Skagit Valley Public Hospital District 2) has agreed to an extension of its current management contract “to provide for the District’s continued operation of the Center as a primary care medical clinic with federal ‘rural health clinic’ status for residents and visitors on Orcas Island from January 1 until July 1, 2017 (the “Extension”) to allow for a reasonable transition period.”

What can supporters of a UW Neighborhood Clinic do to help?
Most importantly, make a donation in any amount to “OMF/UW Medicine Fund.” An account has been established at Key Bank to accept donations. All tax-deductible donations will remain in this account until the necessary money is raised. If the goal is not reached and we are unable to proceed, all funds will be returned in full to the donors. Mail your check to Orcas Medical Foundation, PO Box 515, Eastsound, WA 98245. Or stop by Key Bank in Eastsound to deposit your check in the account. Either way, please include your return-address information.

Then please help spread the word about this exciting one-time opportunity to create a legacy of long-term quality health care – provided by UW Medicine which is rated #1 in the nation for Primary Care, Family and Rural Medicine. Please consider what having this UW Medicine facility on Orcas could mean to you, to your children and grandchildren, and to our entire community.

Why the urgency – couldn’t this decision wait?
Access to quality medical services on Orcas is at a tipping point. The current contract with Island Hospital to manage the practice at Orcas Medical Center will end soon. Further, two of our island’s primary-care physicians are nearing retirement age. However, our community now has an opportunity to form a long-term relationship with UW Medicine, a non-profit organization with 12 successful UW Neighborhood Clinics throughout the Puget Sound region. This is a one-time opportunity that can benefit all on Orcas Island for years to come.

Do patients of UW Neighborhood Clinics have coverage by Group Health?
Yes, patients of other UW Neighborhood Clinics have coverage through Group Health, and we expect coverage at the new Orcas Island UW Neighborhood Clinic. Orcas Medical Center currently honors Group Health.

How would the UW Neighborhood Clinic on Orcas be staffed?
All medical and administrative staffing decisions would be made by UW Neighborhood Clinics after the decision to move forward with establishing a UW Neighborhood Clinic on Orcas.

Could patients of another practice use the UW Neighborhood Clinic on Orcas?
Any person who wishes to become a patient would be welcome to do so, and could establish a relationship with a physician who would be consistently available to them by appointment. Likewise, any patient of a UW Neighborhood Clinic on Orcas could see any other physician or medical provider they wish. There would be no requirement to use UW Medicine services exclusively.

For further information or answers to any other questions you might have:
Feel free to contact omfboard@orcasmedicalcenter.com