Connecting people to the specialty care they need
Getting a referral is only the first step. Our Care Coordination team helps patients navigate the barriers between referral and care, while making it easier for specialty providers to say yes to serving patients in need.
Program Overview
What is our Care Coordination Program?
Project Access Northwest helps people who are uninsured or enrolled in Apple Health successfully connect with specialty medical care.
Working with community health centers, safety-net clinics, volunteer specialty providers and health systems, our team helps manage the journey from referral to appointment.
We don't simply make referrals. We help people reach care.
Who is eligible for the Care Coordination Program?
Our Care Coordination program serves people who are uninsured or enrolled in Apple Health and:
- Have an established primary care provider at a participating community health center, safety-net clinic or other referring partner
- Need specialty medical care
- Face barriers to accessing an appropriate specialty provider.
Patients are referred to Project Access Northwest by participating healthcare partners.
How does Specialty Care Coordination work?
When a patient's primary care provider determines that specialty care is needed, the provider sends a referral to Project Access Northwest.
Our team then helps move that referral toward a successful appointment:
1. We review the referral.
Our intake team checks that the necessary information is complete.
2. We help make the referral ready for specialty care.
Our team reviews the clinical information, determines the appropriate specialty, and identifies any needed labs, tests, or diagnostic imaging.
3. We connect the patient with a specialty provider.
Our care coordinators work with patients and participating providers to schedule care.
4. We help address barriers that could prevent the patient from getting there.
Depending on the patient's needs, that may include appointment information, interpretation coordination, transportation information, and other navigation support.
5. We stay focused on the outcome.
The goal isn't simply making an appointment. It's helping the patient successfully reach the care they need.
We don't simply make referrals. We help people reach care.
Why is the Care Coordination Program important?
Project Access Northwest removes the barriers to the client’s accessing care while reducing the paperwork and management burden on the specialty care provider. This enables providers to focus on care and serve a larger number of low-income patients.
Care Coordination Stories
Care Coordination Stories