Camas-based EverMed is bringing its primary care-focused business model to Portland.
The company specializes in what’s known as Direct Primary Care, or DPC. Separate from an insurance policy, DPC is a healthcare benefit option where members pay a set, low monthly fee to receive comprehensive primary care services.
According to Founder and Clinician Scott Jonason, the DPC model can lower healthcare costs because it offers patients with high insurance deductibles a care option that’s made for day-to-day needs.
“When patients are concerned about paying co-pays or worried about unknown costs of seeking care, they tend to avoid seeking treatment until it is too late and then they end up in the ER,” explained Jonason. “With DPC, if they have a concern or even unsure if they need to come in, they can call, visit or even use secure email or text depending on the clinic.”
Having worked with independent primary care clinics in Southwest Washington for more than a year, EverMet is now looking across the river, seeking out independent clinics that are already established in the Portland area to partner with.
“One of our key objectives as EverMed DPC is preserving the viability of the independent primary care practice,” added Jonason. “We see Direct Primary Care as a way for clinics to not only survive, but thrive.”
The company hopes to have partnerships with care clinics in and around Portland in place prior to the 2015-2016 healthcare enrollment season.