Oklahoma Medical Company Tries Different Approach for Helping the Uninsured

A medical company in northeast Oklahoma is trying a different approach to help uninsured patients and those who have insurance, but want to reduce costs for simple procedures.

Access Medical operates clinics in Tulsa and Catoosa that act as a cooperative in which members pay a monthly fee, regardless of whether they see a doctor, which creates a pool of funds that helps cover costs for everyone.

The fees are $25 for a one- or two-person family, $35 for a family of three or more, after a one-time set-up fee of $25.

The fee for a visit to the clinic is $50 or less.

“There’s just a lot of families that absolutely need this,” owner Cannon Ferrell told the Tulsa World. “And we’re proud of offering this to them.”

He said the company opened about 18 months ago and has about 350 members, mostly employees of small businesses and retirees who are not yet old enough to qualify for Medicare.

Sharyn Willard said she and her husband are both self-employed and have a medical savings account to cover major expenses, but use Access Medical for themselves and their two children for checkups.

She’s never had to wait long to see a doctor and has been happy with the medical care, she said.

“I would definitely recommend it to everyone even if they have insurance,” she said.

Heather Cagle of Verdigris works in Catoosa and came to the clinic on a recent afternoon because of allergy problems that were making breathing difficult.

She has insurance through her work, but said the clinic was recommended as a way to keep down costs.

“It’s convenient,” she said.

Ferrell said he and his wife, Kelly, began Access Medical after their son, then 3, got sick and had to go to the emergency room. They realized they had no idea how much the medical care would end up costing until they got the $400 bill weeks later.

To qualify for membership, at least one person in the household must be employed and have an active checking account.

Information from: Tulsa World