Why Providers Participate
- Participating providers and practices determine the level of care they are able to donate. WPA Care Coordinator works with providers and practices to maintain an equitable distribution of uninsured low income patients.
- WPA provides a structured system which helps ensure completion and continuity of care by providing care coordination and connection with donated ancillary services.
- Patients enrolled in WPA are assisted with establishing a medical home, identifying resources for lowering prescription drug costs, and interpreter services when possible.
How it works
Patients must be referred to WPA by a medical provider for reasons that are “medically necessary”. No referrals will be accepted for experimental, cosmetic, or elective procedures.
All referrals are reviewed prior to a patient being screened for eligibility in WPA. The screening process is completed by the WPA Care Coordinator with the oversight of the WPA Medical Director.
Patients are screened for program eligibility:
- Patient is required to provide proof of residency in Whatcom County.
- Patient is not receiving or eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or other state or federal medical benefits, and is not covered by any other health insurance, including high deductible or catastrophic type coverage.
- Patient is required to provide proof of income and assets (verifiable gross family income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level).
- Patient must be eligible for 100% discount through St. Joseph Hospital Bridge Assistance.
Eligible patients are enrolled in 3 month increments. Patients are re-screened for WPA eligibility after 6 months of enrollment. WPA works with patients throughout their enrollment to assist them in applying for any public insurance option for which they may be eligible.
Enrolled patients are given a WPA ID card to present to donating specialists.
Providers utilize standard billing forms and submit them to WPA for reporting purposes only.
To refer a patient
Please fax either your office’s referral form or the WPA referral form to (360) 788-6587. WAHA will contact the patient to screen them for Project Access.
Due to our screening process WPA is not able to accept URGENT referrals. Please refer patients with URGENT medical needs directly to the specialist.
For more information, or if your office would like to pledge services, please contact Project Access Care Coordinator at (360) 788-6547.
Additional Resources