SEATTLE, WA--(Marketwire - Jun 1, 2011) - Qliance Medical Management Inc., which operates insurance-free direct primary care clinics -- also known as "direct primary care medical homes" -- in Washington State, today announced strong support for language in the Family Retirement Health Investment Act of 2011, which was introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House last week by Senator Orrin Hatch and Representative Erik Paulsen. The bill would designate flat monthly fees for direct primary care practices as "qualified medical expenses" under Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. It would enable patients and employers to use their health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to pay for flat-fee primary care such as Qliance.
"We endorse this portion of the legislation and are thrilled to see Congress continue to recognize and support direct primary care models like Qliance," said Garrison Bliss, MD, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Qliance Medical Management and President of Qliance Medical Group of Washington PC. "Senator Hatch and Representative Paulsen have crafted language that will help more Americans have access to patient-centered primary care at an affordable cost. Clarifying that employers and individuals have the ability to pay for their primary care with pre-tax dollars from an HRA, HSA or FSA signifies a huge step for the growth of flat-fee direct primary care."
Direct primary care practices are designed to handle and treat the majority of reasons people see a doctor, including but not limited to vaccinations, routine blood tests, women's health services, pediatric care, common injuries, as well as ongoing management of chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. By eliminating insurance, co-pays and deductibles from such routine and predictable care, the direct primary care model significantly reduces the cost of health care and keeps people healthier with fewer sick days and less need for expensive emergency room and specialty care. This, in turn, helps reduce the overall cost of health care.
At Qliance, patients enjoy:
- Monthly membership fees as low as $49 to $89 in lieu of insurance with no deductibles or co-pays for all routine care
- Unhurried 30- to 60-minute office visits (compared to 10- to 15-minute averages nationally)
- No limits or restrictions for pre-existing conditions
- Same- or next-day appointments for urgent care needs
- Office hours 7 days per week, with extended hours on weekdays and 24-hour cell phone and email access to a physician
- On-site x-ray, laboratory and free "first-fill" prescription drug dispensary
- Coordination of any needed specialist and hospital care as a "medical home" model
- Savings on supplemental insurance that covers everything Qliance does not
For employers, Qliance offers a cost-effective solution to providing health care coverage. By replacing a traditional insurance plan with a Qliance membership, supplemented by a lower-premium, wrap-around insurance plan that covers non-primary care issues, such as hospital, emergency and specialist care, businesses can lower health care costs by up to 50 percent, and reduce annual premium increases. Qliance already serves more than 100 small- to mid-size businesses in Washington State.
About Qliance Medical Management
Qliance Medical Management was founded in 2006 and provides operating and management services to Qliance Medical Group of Washington PC, which operates clinics under the Qliance® brand. Qliance offers people of all ages and incomes unrestricted access to all types of primary, preventive and chronic illness care for one monthly membership fee, ranging between $49 and $89, depending on age, for its core service level. Qliance does not exclude anyone for pre-existing conditions and offers 30- to 60-minute same- and next-day appointments, 7-days per week. Through Qliance, patients and employers are getting exceptional care and saving up to 50 percent on comprehensive health care costs when bundled with a lower-premium insurance plan. Qliance has raised $13.5 million, led by Second Avenue Partners with participation by Clear Fir Partners LP, New Atlantic Ventures, Bezos Expeditions, MSD Capital and other private investors. For more information, visit www.Qliance.com.