Premera Blue Cross and Kinwell Medical Group Enhance Access to Primary Healthcare Across Washington
In a remarkable development within the healthcare sector, Premera Blue Cross, a prominent nonprofit health plan in the Pacific Northwest, has joined forces with Kinwell Medical Group to significantly enhance access to quality, affordable primary care for local residents. This partnership recently marked Kinwell's third anniversary with a notable announcement: the number of patient visits soared by an impressive 67% in the past year, accumulating over 79,000 appointments.
Kinwell Medical Group, which operates a network of clinics throughout Washington State, provides services to members under Premera Blue Cross and LifeWise Health Plan of Washington. The expansive network currently features 16 physical locations alongside a virtual clinic, making healthcare more accessible than ever.
As part of this initiative, the clinics have rolled out new services to innovate their advanced primary care model. In addition, Premera’s strategic investments in cultivating a robust healthcare workforce have further improved accessibility to essential medical services across Washington. Over the past year, Kinwell has successfully recruited 28 new clinicians, including specialists in behavioral health, physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners—all of whom play a vital role in fostering a patient-centered environment.
Kinwell's operational philosophy revolves around strong patient-provider relationships. By offering extended appointment durations and implementing a compensation model that rewards quality of care rather than quantity, they are setting new standards in patient health services. This holistic approach ensures that clinicians provide comprehensive healthcare that addresses not just physical ailments, but emotional and psychological well-being as well.
The services available at Kinwell encompass:
Lee McGrath, the Executive Vice President of Health Care Services at Premera, commented on the dire need for improved access to primary care, stating, "When our members informed us about the challenges in finding a primary care provider, we couldn't afford to take a back seat. We partnered with Kinwell to develop solutions that span the entire state. Their patient-centric approach successfully removes barriers to high-quality care, which positively impacts the overall health of our members."
The reception from patients has been overwhelmingly positive, as evidenced by Kinwell's impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 85, which is more than double the average score for the healthcare industry. This rating reflects the high level of satisfaction and likelihood of patients recommending Kinwell’s services.
Dr. Mack Hinson, President of Kinwell Medical Group, explained, "We are committed to redefining the care experience, and we are immensely thankful for the confidence our patients have in us. Both our patients and clinicians are witnessing the beneficial outcomes arising from our commitment to holistic wellness. As we move forward, our focus will remain firmly on our patients’ needs and experiences."
Since launching its inaugural clinic in December 2021, Kinwell has swiftly expanded its footprint to include 17 clinics statewide, along with its virtual clinic services.
Recognizing the critical shortage of primary care providers, particularly in Washington State, which currently sees only 39% of the providers needed for adequate healthcare access, Premera is actively investing in training initiatives. In total, Premera has allocated nearly $18 million since 2018 to bolster the primary care workforce, ensuring that rural communities are well served.
Initiatives such as the UW Premera Rural Nursing Health Initiative have already placed over 20 graduates in year-long fellowships within rural clinics, significantly enhancing training and access to care. Moreover, Premera has joined forces with local institutions like Washington State University and Pacific Northwest University to create residency programs aimed at addressing the provider shortage.
Premera Blue Cross has also committed to the Washington Multi-Payer Collaborative, working alongside other stakeholders to innovate on how primary care is delivered, aiming to create a more sustainable and accessible healthcare environment.
For further insights into how Premera supports the community, visit PremeraWellBeyond.org, and for more details regarding Kinwell’s services, navigate to KinwellHealth.com.
As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Premera Blue Cross stands out as a leading nonprofit health plan servicing over 2.75 million individuals across the Pacific Northwest. Their mission remains focused on offering comprehensive health benefits tailored to meet the varied needs of the region, ensuring access to quality health care.
Founded in 2021, Kinwell Medical Group aims to provide exemplary primary care exclusively for those insured by Premera Blue Cross or LifeWise Health Plan of Washington. With a commitment to local communities, Kinwell is focused on enhancing patient experiences while fostering a healthier population through integrated and patient-centered care.
Kinwell Medical Group, which operates a network of clinics throughout Washington State, provides services to members under Premera Blue Cross and LifeWise Health Plan of Washington. The expansive network currently features 16 physical locations alongside a virtual clinic, making healthcare more accessible than ever.
As part of this initiative, the clinics have rolled out new services to innovate their advanced primary care model. In addition, Premera’s strategic investments in cultivating a robust healthcare workforce have further improved accessibility to essential medical services across Washington. Over the past year, Kinwell has successfully recruited 28 new clinicians, including specialists in behavioral health, physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners—all of whom play a vital role in fostering a patient-centered environment.
Kinwell's operational philosophy revolves around strong patient-provider relationships. By offering extended appointment durations and implementing a compensation model that rewards quality of care rather than quantity, they are setting new standards in patient health services. This holistic approach ensures that clinicians provide comprehensive healthcare that addresses not just physical ailments, but emotional and psychological well-being as well.
The services available at Kinwell encompass:
- - Integrated Behavioral Health: Kinwell’s primary care providers can identify and manage mental health issues, collaborating closely with behavioral health specialists to offer comprehensive support to patients.
- - Lifestyle Medicine: By incorporating principles of nutrition, sleep quality, and physical activity, clinicians can effectively support holistic patient health. The clinic also facilitates virtual group classes focused on nutritional education, further amplifying this effort.
- - Health Coaching: Patients enrolled in lifestyle medicine classes can access one-on-one health coaching at no added cost, aiding them in establishing achievable health goals and strategies.
- - Virtual Care: A modernized telehealth service allows patients to schedule virtual appointments with their in-person clinicians or connect with dedicated online healthcare providers from anywhere in Washington.
Lee McGrath, the Executive Vice President of Health Care Services at Premera, commented on the dire need for improved access to primary care, stating, "When our members informed us about the challenges in finding a primary care provider, we couldn't afford to take a back seat. We partnered with Kinwell to develop solutions that span the entire state. Their patient-centric approach successfully removes barriers to high-quality care, which positively impacts the overall health of our members."
The reception from patients has been overwhelmingly positive, as evidenced by Kinwell's impressive Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 85, which is more than double the average score for the healthcare industry. This rating reflects the high level of satisfaction and likelihood of patients recommending Kinwell’s services.
Dr. Mack Hinson, President of Kinwell Medical Group, explained, "We are committed to redefining the care experience, and we are immensely thankful for the confidence our patients have in us. Both our patients and clinicians are witnessing the beneficial outcomes arising from our commitment to holistic wellness. As we move forward, our focus will remain firmly on our patients’ needs and experiences."
Since launching its inaugural clinic in December 2021, Kinwell has swiftly expanded its footprint to include 17 clinics statewide, along with its virtual clinic services.
Recognizing the critical shortage of primary care providers, particularly in Washington State, which currently sees only 39% of the providers needed for adequate healthcare access, Premera is actively investing in training initiatives. In total, Premera has allocated nearly $18 million since 2018 to bolster the primary care workforce, ensuring that rural communities are well served.
Initiatives such as the UW Premera Rural Nursing Health Initiative have already placed over 20 graduates in year-long fellowships within rural clinics, significantly enhancing training and access to care. Moreover, Premera has joined forces with local institutions like Washington State University and Pacific Northwest University to create residency programs aimed at addressing the provider shortage.
Premera Blue Cross has also committed to the Washington Multi-Payer Collaborative, working alongside other stakeholders to innovate on how primary care is delivered, aiming to create a more sustainable and accessible healthcare environment.
For further insights into how Premera supports the community, visit PremeraWellBeyond.org, and for more details regarding Kinwell’s services, navigate to KinwellHealth.com.
About Premera Blue Cross
As an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Premera Blue Cross stands out as a leading nonprofit health plan servicing over 2.75 million individuals across the Pacific Northwest. Their mission remains focused on offering comprehensive health benefits tailored to meet the varied needs of the region, ensuring access to quality health care.
About Kinwell
Founded in 2021, Kinwell Medical Group aims to provide exemplary primary care exclusively for those insured by Premera Blue Cross or LifeWise Health Plan of Washington. With a commitment to local communities, Kinwell is focused on enhancing patient experiences while fostering a healthier population through integrated and patient-centered care.
Topics Health）
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