By Bryan Corliss
Herald Writer
EVERETT — The Everett Family Practice Center will close Nov. 16, with officials saying a loss of physicians, the general economic downturn and tight insurance reimbursements have made it impossible to go on.
"We have reached a point where the challenges became too large to overcome," said Dr. Julie Komarow, the center’s president.
Patients were notified of the pending closure last week, as were the 62 employees at the center. The seven physicians now working at the center are looking for work at other offices.
"Our No. 1 priority is to give our employees and patients as much notice as possible so that they can plan accordingly," Komarow said. The clinic is working to find new jobs for its employees and will do what it can to ease the transition for patients who seek out new doctors, she added.
The Family Practice Center, located at 4225 Hoyt Ave., was founded in 1977. It is one of the largest stand-alone family practices in Snohomish County, serving some 6,000 families.
But over the past six months, the number of doctors at the center has fallen from 14 to seven.
"More doctors left than we could possibly replace in a short period of time," Komarow said.
Changes in the regulatory environment disenchanted some of the doctors, Komarow said. New Medicare rules, designed to tackle fraud, have greatly increased paperwork.
"You have to write twice as long of a note now," she said, and that’s increased costs.
At the same time, profit margins have been squeezed, both with Medicare patients and those with private party insurance, she said.
Medicare reimbursement rates are down 20 to 30 percent from 10 years ago, she said. "Medicare doesn’t cover our costs, and those guys (insurance companies) want to pay us about the same as Medicare."
The clinic cut the equivalent of 17 full-time employees, trying to slash costs, Komarow said. "It just wasn’t enough." The clinic also sought out a merger partner, but failed.
The doctors who remain on the center’s staff are interviewing for new positions elsewhere, Komarow said. Patients will be notified by letter in November as to where their physicians will end up.
People who use the clinic said they were sad the facility is closing.
"I kind of feel sad that there’s a good place like this leaving," said Richard Smith of Everett.
Smith said the closure might mean he has to change doctors or health plans, depending on where his doctor moves.
"I don’t like it, but what can we do," said Robert Hagglund.
Hagglund of Everett has been a client of the clinic for 12 years. His doctor is probably moving to Redmond, which would mean long drives for health care, he said.
"It’s just sad," Hagglund said.
Herald writer Brian Kelly contributed to this report.
You can call Herald Writer Bryan Corliss at 425-339-3454 or send e-mail to corliss@heraldnet.com.
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