For Patients

Thurston County Project Access processes referrals for considered for low-income, uninsured Thurston County residents ages 18-64 who have acute, urgent medical conditions that require diagnostic testing and/or treatment outside of primary care. Referred patients are screened for medical and financial eligibility by Project Access staff. Once eligibility has been verified, patients go through a registration process and receive a patient ID card.

Please see the frequently asked questions below for more information, or if you are currently enrolled in the program, click here to view important information about your enrollment in TCPA and other available health resources.

Patient Frequently Asked Questions

What services are available to me?

• If you do not already have a primary care provider, TCPA will assign one to you as a first step in coordinating your medical care. Depending on the urgency of your situation and certain other factors, you may need to see your primary provider for further testing before a consultation with a specialist can be scheduled.
• TCPA staff will forward your referral(s) to the appropriate medical provider(s) from the TCPA network, who should be contacting you shortly to get you scheduled.
• Please note that we must receive a written referral in order to arrange services for you.
• TCPA can only provide services through our volunteer network. Some services may not be available at any time while others require a waiting period before an appointment becomes available. Generally, TCPA does not accept referrals for routine preventive care or screenings such as routine eye exams.

What should I bring to an appointment?

• Your TCPA patient card or your coverage confirmation letter you received at enrollment.
• The new-patient registration packet (filled out) that the office may have mailed to you.
• Any information you believe may be helpful to your new provider (past diagnostic films/reports or medical records from another office).
• A list of questions you may have.
• A list of your current medications (including amounts and dosage) and the generic drug list you received at enrollment.
• PLEASE BE ON TIME TO YOUR APPOINTMENT. Remember that you may be dis-enrolled for missing too many appointments and that you are using up an appointment  slot that could have been used by another needy patient.

What should I do after my first TCPA scheduled appointment is over?

• You are required to follow your provider’s instructions and treatment plan.
• Call TCPA if your provider is referring you for additional care outside his/her office, especially if you are scheduled for any in-or outpatient hospital procedures.
• You are authorized to schedule any follow-up appointments as intructed by your provider.

What if I cannot afford the prescription I'm given?

• Talk to your provider about other possible options. Contact TCPA if you have received a one-time or long-term prescription (3 months or more) which you are unable to afford.

Can I go to the Emergency Room?

• If you have a medical emergency and are not able to reach one of your health care providers, we strongly recommend that you go to the emergency room at St. Peter Hospital, if possible. Be aware that you will be financially responsible for the ER physician bill.

What would cause me to be dis-enrolled from the program?

• Not following provider instructions (not taking your medications, for example).
• Not following TCPA staff instructions.
• Lying about insurance coverage, income, or other personal data.
• Using medications inappropriately.
• Inappropriate behavior towards medical providers and their staff.
• Not showing up to appointments or rescheduling too many times.
• Having been dismissed by a provider or medical practice.

How long can I stay enrolled in Project Access?

After your initial 6-month enrollment period, your coverage can be extended if:

• Your condition has not been resolved and/or:
• You have been referred for the treatment/testing of a new condition.
• Your health care provider is willing to continue to donate the care.
• You have at least one appointment (outside of primary care) scheduled with a TCPA network provider.
• You have applied for any reasonably affordable insurance coverage available to you.