Sawtooth Mountain Clinic looks to increase Sliding Fee Scale Program participation

It’s been a busy couple of weeks at the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. As the clinic staff helps the community battle the assortment of bugs and viruses going around, they are also trying to get the word out about the financial assistance offered at the clinic.

Kate Surbaugh is the CEO of the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, and Margaret Johnson works in the Patient Access Department at the clinic. They spoke to WTIP about the Sliding Fee Scale program that the clinic offers its patients.

Surbaugh explained that the clinic is a federally qualified health center. In part, this is because it provides care in a “medically underserved area.” She also pointed to the Sliding Fee Scale program as a vital element of providing that care. She said, “One of the big things that federally qualified health centers need to do is provide access to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. And so the Sliding Fee Scale is part of that federally qualified program.”

The program is designed to help keep primary care affordable for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of patients who were enrolled in the program was consistent year-to-year. According to Surbaugh, during the initial lock-down, the clinic saw a significant drop in both patient visits and enrollment. While the number of people accessing care has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, enrollment in the Sliding Fee Scale program continues to lag.

The clinic hopes to raise the number of participants in the program. Johnson explained that the clinic staff encourages everyone to apply for the assistance. She said, “That’s whether or not you currently have insurance or don’t have insurance and also regardless of your immigration status.” She added that while factors like household size and income determine eligibility, all patients are welcome to apply, whether they believe that they qualify, or not.

To apply, Johnson said that applicants would need to know their income, or at least an estimate. The program requires proof of income after application, but further changes to income and household size can always be made. Patients can apply on behalf of their household at any time during the year. However, the program does require participants to renew their enrollment each May.

While the Sliding Fee Scale cannot be applied to everything, Johnson explained that it does apply to many services offered at the clinic. She said, “The Sliding Fee Scale, does help reduce costs for pharmacy services, you know, visits to Sawtooth Mountain clinic, vision, dental, labs and X rays. And then there’s certain other services that if you have a referral from your provider, that can also be used with the Sliding Fee Scale. Those are things like physical therapy or occupational therapy, mental or behavioral health services, or sometimes initial consultations with specialists.”

For current patients looking for more information on enrolling, Johnson directed people to visit the financial assistance page on the clinic website, or call the clinic at 218-387-2330.

Surbaugh said that maintaining participation in the Sliding Fee Scale program is important to the mission of the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic. She said, “We are here for everybody regardless of their ability to pay.”

WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski spoke with Sawtooth Mountain Clinic CEO Kate Surbaugh and Patient Access Department staff Margaret Johnson about the Sliding Fee Scale program and how patients can access it. Full audio below.

Kirsten Wisniewski January 11, 2024