Internal Medicine of Northern Michigan has taken a pro-active approach to affordable health care by joining the SimpleCare network, a program in which physicians cut out the middleman.

SimpleCare allows Internal Medicine of Northern Michigan to charge its “best price” for patients paying cash at the time of service. In a time when job loss and elimination of employer health insurance are at an all-time high, SimpleCare offers an affordable alternative for area residents, said Robert Farrell, Internal Medicine’s practice administrator.

It works by eliminating the billing, coding and much of the paperwork associated with insurance companies, allowing health care providers to lower their prices.

Internal Medicine of Northern Michigan is currently the only provider in the region to offer the program. “We were determined to find a way to make our services more accessible for those without health insurance, and this system works very, very well for us and for our patients,” said Farrell.

SimpleCare is part of the non-profit American Association of Patients and Providers, based in Renton, Wash. It was founded in 1998 by two doctors who decided to find their own solution to America’s health care problems. Today, SimpleCare has more than 23,000 members served by over 1,600 doctors in 46 states. The program is increasingly popular with the over 44 million uninsured Americans who pay cash for their healthcare, as well as with the small business owners who struggle to provide health care for their employees.

SimpleCare, which allows patients to see their choice of doctors, can reduce the cost of procedures not covered by one’s insurance, as well as enhance savings for those who have Medical Savings Accounts or a high-deductible major medical insurance policy. Farrell added that services do not change for Internal Medicine patients who are already insured, but “it’s a great alternative for patients with high deductibles, high monthly insurance payments, or no health insurance.”

Individuals can enroll for $29 and families for $39 annually during their physician visit, and there’s no waiting to be accepted.

Established in 1999, Internal Medicine of Northern Michigan provides a full complement of health services for adults. A staff of 10 board certified physicians and one certified nurse practitioner have years of experience in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of most health related conditions, including chronic and acute illnesses.

For more information, contact Internal Medicine of Northern Michigan at 487-2460 or visit www.simplecare.com.