Three school districts in east‑central Michigan are testing a new model of health care that bypasses traditional insurance. The Corunna Public Schools campus now houses the Plum Health clinic, a converted set of high‑school classrooms where physician assistant Shelley Littleton provides free primary‑care visits and prescription medication to district staff and their families.
How the program works
Corunna, along with neighboring Lansing and Van Buren districts, pays a flat fee of $90 per employee each month for access to the clinic. The fee covers a half‑hour or longer appointment, on‑site medication at no out‑of‑pocket cost, and unlimited visits for the employee’s household. The districts also receive a modest 15% markup on bulk‑purchased drugs, which the clinic passes on as “pennies‑a‑pill” pricing.
Superintendent John Fattal says the goal is simple: give workers a convenient, affordable alternative to costly emergency‑room trips and urgent‑care visits. “What I love about it more than anything else is the ability to be seen and have a lengthy conversation,” he explained. “This is health care the way it’s supposed to be.”
Potential savings for families and the district
District employees who lack employer‑provided insurance – such as part‑time food‑service staff or paraprofessionals – often rely on costly individual plans or forego coverage entirely. By offering the same free service to all staff, the districts hope to keep families out of the ER, where a single visit can exceed $1,000, and reduce the overall insurance pool’s expenses.
One parent, Erika Eiseler, described how her family saved on routine doctor visits and prescriptions. “We’re literally putting money back into their pockets,” Fattal said, noting that the clinic’s free care helps with recruitment and retention of teachers and support staff in a state where educators are in short supply.
Why direct primary care is gaining traction
Direct primary care (DPC) operates outside of insurance, charging a flat monthly fee for comprehensive primary‑care services. Proponents argue that eliminating billing paperwork and large patient panels allows doctors to spend more time with each patient. Dr. Philip Eskew, a DPC physician, said, “You get to spend time with the patient rather than screaming into your medical record to make it happy so that you can bill whatever code you need to bill.”
Nationwide, employer health‑care costs are projected to rise nearly 10% next year, driven by high‑priced drugs and increasing utilization of emergency services. By adopting DPC, districts aim to stay ahead of those trends and protect workers’ wallets.
Challenges and future outlook
While the model shows promise, it remains a gamble. The districts must balance the monthly subscription cost against the savings from avoided ER visits. Additionally, the program’s success depends on employee participation and the ability to maintain a steady supply of low‑cost medications.
Nevertheless, the Corunna consortium plans to monitor health‑care utilization data closely and may expand the program if the financial and health outcomes prove favorable. As more Michigan employers confront rising health‑care premiums, the direct‑primary‑care model could become a viable alternative for communities seeking to protect families and preserve local jobs.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
