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Curious about Project Access Northwest and our programs? We've collected answers to our most frequently asked questions below.
Still have questions? Email us at [email protected].
General
What is Project Access Northwest?
Project Access Northwest is a nonprofit organization that helps people overcome barriers to healthcare and community resources.
Our programs connect people with:
- Specialty medical care
- Behavioral health services
- Dental care
- Health insurance support
- Community resources
- Skilled volunteer support for nonprofit organizations through the Companis Division
We work in partnership with healthcare providers, health systems, community health centers, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, funders and volunteers to help build healthier communities.
Does Project Access Northwest provide medical care?
No. Project Access Northwest is not a medical provider, clinic or health system.
Our team works with healthcare and community partners to help eligible patients navigate referrals, connect with participating providers and successfully reach the care and resources they need.
Where does Project Access Northwest serve?
Project Access Northwest serves communities across Washington through a growing network of programs and partnerships. Service areas and eligibility requirements vary by program.
Specialty Care Coordination
What is Specialty Care Coordination?
Our Specialty Care Coordination program helps eligible patients move successfully from a specialty-care referral to an appointment with an appropriate provider.
We work with referring clinics, patients and participating specialty providers to make sure referrals contain the information necessary for care, coordinate appointments and help patients navigate barriers that could prevent them from reaching care.
We don’t simply make referrals. We help people reach care.
Can I refer myself to Specialty Care Coordination?
No. Patients must be referred by a participating primary care provider, community health center, safety-net clinic or other authorized referring partner.
If you do not have a primary care provider, a community health center may be able to help you establish care.
Who is eligible for Specialty Care Coordination?
Eligibility varies by referral source and program requirements. Our program primarily serves patients who:
- Are uninsured or enrolled in Apple Health
- Have an established primary care provider with an eligible referring partner
- Have a documented specialty-care need
- Need assistance connecting with an appropriate specialty provider
Your referring provider can help determine whether a referral to Project Access Northwest is appropriate.
How long does it take to review my referral?
Review time depends on whether the referral is complete and includes all required clinical and eligibility information.
Our team reviews the referral, supporting medical information and, when required, eligibility documentation. If additional information, testing or imaging is needed before a specialty appointment can be scheduled, we work with the referring clinic to obtain it.
How long will I wait for a specialty appointment?
Wait times depend on the specialty, provider availability and the patient’s individual care needs.
Project Access Northwest coordinates non-emergency specialty care and works to identify an appropriate available provider. Some specialties may have longer appointment wait times than others.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
Who pays for my specialty care?
Coverage and payment arrangements vary depending on the patient, provider and services involved.
Many participating providers donate services to eligible uninsured patients. When a patient has Apple Health or other applicable coverage, participating providers may bill that coverage.
Some services may not be available through Project Access Northwest and could result in costs to the patient. Our team will help explain what we know about potential coverage or cost whenever possible.
What should I do if I receive a bill I wasn’t expecting?
Contact Project Access Northwest at 206-788-4204 before assuming the bill is your responsibility.
Our team can review the situation and, when appropriate, work with the provider to resolve a billing issue or help identify available financial-assistance or charity-care options.
Can Project Access Northwest help with transportation or interpretation?
Depending on the circumstances and available resources, our Care Coordination team may help patients understand transportation options and coordinate interpretation support associated with specialty-care appointments.
Tell your care coordinator about language, transportation or other barriers that could make it difficult to attend your appointment.
How long can I receive Specialty Care Coordination?
The length of care coordination depends on the patient’s specialty-care needs.
Some patients require only a short period of support, while others may require continued specialty care. Eligibility may be reviewed periodically while care remains active.
What healthcare services are available?
Available specialties depend on participating providers and current capacity.
Project Access Northwest coordinates access to a broad range of specialty medical services. Certain supporting services, including laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging or medical equipment, may also be available through partner or donated resources in some circumstances.
Project Access Northwest does not provide emergency medical services.
Community Resource Connections
What is Community Resource Connections?
Community Resource Connections helps people navigate services that address health-related and everyday needs, including:
- Food and nutrition
- Housing
- Utilities
- Transportation
- Healthcare
- Behavioral health
- Public benefits
- Employment and other community resources
A Community Health Worker talks with you about your needs, helps identify appropriate resources and can support you in taking the next steps toward accessing those services.
Who can receive Community Resource Connections support?
Community Resource Connections serves residents of participating counties through Project Access Northwest’s partnerships with regional Community Care Hubs.
Eligibility for individual benefits, programs and resources varies. You do not need to know which programs you qualify for before contacting us.
Do I need health insurance to receive help?
Insurance requirements vary depending on the particular benefit or service you need. Our Community Health Workers can help identify resources appropriate to your circumstances.
Does Project Access Northwest provide food, housing or financial assistance directly?
Generally, no.
Our role is to help people identify and navigate organizations, benefits and programs that may be able to meet those needs. When appropriate, Community Health Workers may also help with applications and other steps required to connect with services.
Premium Assistance
What is Premium Assistance?
Premium Assistance helps eligible Washington residents afford the monthly cost of health insurance.
Project Access Northwest works with healthcare systems and other funding partners to help eligible participants maintain insurance coverage when premium costs would otherwise create a financial hardship.
The goal is to keep people covered so they can stay connected to care.
Can I apply directly for Premium Assistance?
Premium Assistance is available through participating funding partners. Eligible participants must be referred to Project Access Northwest through one of those partners.
Program capacity depends on available funding.
Who is eligible for Premium Assistance?
Eligibility requirements may include:
- Washington state residency
- Meeting program income requirements
- Eligibility to purchase a Qualified Health Plan through Washington Healthplanfinder
- Eligibility for applicable premium tax credits
- Referral through a participating Premium Assistance partner
- Agreement to maintain current household and eligibility information
- Compliance with applicable federal tax-filing requirements
Our Premium Assistance team verifies current eligibility requirements with referred participants.
What does Premium Assistance pay for?
For approved participants, Project Access Northwest provides financial assistance for eligible health insurance premiums during the approved coverage period.
Premium Assistance does not generally pay deductibles, copayments, prescriptions or other out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
Why is Premium Assistance important?
Having access to health insurance only helps if a person can afford to keep it.
Maintaining coverage helps people stay connected to primary care, specialty care, behavioral health services, prescriptions, preventive services and ongoing treatment.
Resources for Immigrant Communities
Does Project Access Northwest provide immigration legal services?
No. Project Access Northwest does not provide immigration legal advice.
We maintain a collection of trusted health coverage, rights and family-preparedness resources to make reliable information easier to find.
Where can I find information about changes to Apple Health?
Our resource center includes information about changes affecting Apple Health eligibility, renewals, work and community-engagement requirements and retroactive coverage, including information in Spanish and other languages.
Because policies can change, visitors should use the source information supplied with each resource for the most current guidance.
Healthcare Providers
How can I volunteer as a healthcare provider?
Project Access Northwest depends on a statewide network of healthcare professionals and healthcare organizations committed to improving access to care.
If you or a professional colleague may be interested in participating, please contact us at:
206-788-4204
[email protected]
How many patients am I expected to see?
Participation is designed to be flexible.
Providers determine the number of patients they are able to accept based on their specialty, practice capacity and availability. Our team works with participating providers to develop an arrangement that is sustainable for the practice while expanding access for patients.
What does Project Access Northwest do before a patient reaches my office?
Our Care Coordination team works to make referrals ready for specialty care. Depending on the referral, that may include:
- Reviewing referral information
- Clinical review by a registered nurse
- Identifying necessary labs, testing or diagnostic imaging
- Coordinating the initial appointment
- Preparing the patient with appointment information
- Helping address language, transportation or other navigation needs
Our goal is to reduce administrative burden for participating providers while helping patients successfully reach care.
What if I have concerns about a referred patient’s care or ability to complete treatment?
Contact the Project Access Northwest Care Coordination team at 206-788-4204.
We encourage participating providers to contact us when barriers arise so our care coordinators can understand the situation and determine what additional support may be appropriate.
Are there forms providers need to complete?
Certain referrals and specialty appointments require documentation so Project Access Northwest can coordinate care and understand the outcome of the referral.
Our team provides participating practices with the appropriate forms and instructions as part of the referral process.
Does Project Access Northwest provide prescription medications?
Project Access Northwest does not operate a pharmacy or prescription-assistance program.
Patients should work with their primary care clinic, health plan, pharmacy and healthcare providers to identify appropriate prescription coverage or financial-assistance options.
Skilled Volunteers & Nonprofit Partners
What is Companis?
The Companis Division at Project Access Northwest strengthens nonprofit organizations by connecting them with skilled volunteers who want to put their professional experience and talents to work in service of their communities.
Companis brings more than 30 years of experience in thoughtful, supported volunteer placement and nonprofit capacity-building.
What kinds of skills can Companis volunteers provide?
Volunteer placements are based on nonprofit needs and available volunteer expertise and may include areas such as:
- Finance and accounting
- Human resources
- Communications and marketing
- Technology
- Fundraising
- Project management
- Governance
- Strategy
- Legal and other professional expertise
How can I volunteer my professional skills?
Companis works with people who want to use their experience and expertise to strengthen nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve.
How can my nonprofit request a skilled volunteer?
Nonprofit organizations interested in skilled volunteer support can connect with the Companis team to discuss organizational needs and potential placement opportunities.
Still Have Questions?
Still Have Questions?
We’re here to help.
Project Access Northwest
Phone: 206-788-4204
Email: [email protected]