Dec. 6, 2023
 

Wellpoint Washington, formerly Amerigroup Washington, is one of the state’s coordinators of Medicaid managed healthcare benefits. Today, it provided The NATIVE Project in Spokane with a medical van to support their clients’ healthcare needs. The NATIVE Project provides medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, patient care coordination, wellness, and prevention services for both Natives and Non-Natives in the Spokane community. They are a Title V, Indian Health Services Contract Clinic, and serve nearly 400 of the 574 federally recognized Tribes in the U.S.
 

More than 19 percent of Washington’s residents live in rural areas, and Washington has the eight largest Native American population in the U.S. All 39 Washington counties are considered to be medically underserved. Tribal communities have long experienced lower health status when compared with other residents, including lower life expectancy and the disproportionate disease burden that is likely due to fewer education opportunities, disproportionate poverty, discrimination in the delivery of health services and cultural differences. Additionally, rural areas often have more elderly who require extra care as well as residents who are in poorer health, have fewer health resources and face significant barriers to accessing care – mostly because healthcare professionals are frequently drawn away from rural areas by urban opportunities.
 

The NATIVE Project is a non-profit 501c(3), I.H.S. Urban Indian Health Services Contract and HRSA 330 Community Health Center (CHC), and a Federally Qualified Health Care Center (FQHC), that provides a comprehensive scope of services to all people seeking integrated healthcare services.

“Our mission is to provide quality services that promote wellness and balance of mind, body and spirit for individuals, staff, families, and communities. Our philosophy is to honor and respect all patients and community members by serving them with Sacred Hospitality which is an intentionally created practice where our compassion meets the needs of our patients, staff, and community; where they are welcomed, cherished, and respected as human beings; where stories are shared and valued; and where healing of the body, mind, and spirit can happen,” said Toni Lodge, CEO of The NATIVE Project.
 

“The partnership with Wellpoint is integral to bringing our mission to fruition,” she said. “This partnership will allow us to better provide Sacred Hospitality to our community and provide a level of service that bridges the gap between accessing medical and behavioral health services as well as support care coordination for many of our community members. Thank you so much Wellpoint. The Urban Native community will thrive with this partnership.”
 

The partnership is one of many Wellpoint has fostered across Washington state to engage rural and underserved communities to reach their health goals and close the healthcare disparities gap.