VRP survey results show large number of patients served at considerable cost savings

The Washington State Volunteer/Retired Provider Program (VRP) is a statewide program that began in 1992 as a result of legislation enacted to increase access to health care for low-income Washingtonians. The program provides malpractice insurance coverage for volunteer healthcare workers. Nine physicians initially participated in the program, but over the years demand for the VRP Program has grown. As of October 20, 2011, there were 662 providers covered through the program and more provider applications arrive at the WWAHEC office each week. All of these providers are volunteers who serve at the more 100 VRP clinic sites throughout Washington (see site map on pages 4 and 5). WWAHEC has managed the program for most of the program’s tenure.

In order to document the program’s cost-effectiveness, WWAHEC surveys the VRP Program providers and clinics semi-annually. The 2011 mid-year (Jan. 1-June 30) survey data demonstrates that the program increases access to care for low-income, underinsured and uninsured citizens in Washington state. Clinics reported a total of 56,983 service hours and 79,241 patients served. Among individual providers who responded, total volunteer hours reported were 16,251 and total patients reported served were 22,150. Please note this only reflects what was reported. The real numbers are much higher as only 65 percent of individual providers responded to the survey. Based on the survey response rates WWAHEC estimates that more than 67,500 clients were served by VRP providers during the past year. If one makes the assumption that individual patient visits provided by the VRP volunteers would otherwise have been provided in an Emergency Department setting, the volunteers provided an estimated $82 million worth of care.

More vivid than the numbers and figures found in the survey are the comments from the participating providers. Here is some of the feedback we received this summer:

This program continues to serve increasing numbers of patients who have lost jobs and health insurance in the present economic climate. The state and the local health facilities continue to need this program.

 
• This program makes it possible for providers with health care jobs to work outside their clinics and help at free clinics where their malpractice insurance may not protect them. I love this program!! Because of this program I have been able to volunteer providing Primary Care Internal Medicine to the poor, uninsured residents of Clark County for 10 years. I would not likely have done this if I had to pay my own malpractice insurance.  
• Thank you for your liability coverage for our volunteer physician efforts as the clinic is serving many patients with complex physical and social issues.  
• I appreciate the program as I couldn’t afford the malpractice without it as my regular work malpractice won’t cover anything related to the volunteer time.  
• This program has allowed me to continue to work and make contributions in my profession, community and build a special place for families with children that require 24/7 care. In doing so have prevented some child abuse, family separation and given support to foster parents.  
• I am delighted this program exists. I was between jobs when I signed up for the free clinic, and had no malpractice insurance. Without this program, I would not have been able to participate. I love the volunteer work and look forward to it each time.  
• Thank you for providing insurance which is the way I can continue to volunteer.    
• Thanks for making it possible for me to volunteer-I would not do this if I had to pay for the license and the insurance out of my retirement funds.  
• Yours is a valuable program, making it financially feasible for retired health care professionals to serve needy populations.    
• Please keep up the excellent work. It is an incentive for my professional staff to volunteer because of your coverage.  
• This is a wonderful program for both the clinic and the volunteers. Thank you for providing it for us. I am grateful!! 

As recently announced, Governor Gregoire has asked state agencies to dig even deeper and look for additional ways to cut expenses. The 10 percent budget cuts proposed by DOH include a $297,000 reduction to Area Health Education Centers/Rural Health Capacity. Most of this reduction is realized by the elimination of the Volunteer/Retired Provider Malpractice Insurance Program. If these cuts are included in the budget proposal, this means that effective January 1, 2012, the VRP program will no longer exist and no-cost malpractice insurance will no longer be available for volunteer healthcare providers.