Michigan school districts turn to free direct-primary-care clinics to curb health expenses
Three districts in Michigan have launched a no-cost clinic that provides primary-care services to employees and their families, aiming to lower reliance on expensive emergency and urgent-care visits.
In a collaborative effort, Corunna, Lansing and Van Buren school districts have partnered with Detroit-based Plum Health to operate a direct-primary-care clinic that charges no copays or deductibles to patients. The facility, located in former classrooms, sees patients for extended visits and provides medications at a minimal markup, eliminating out-of-pocket drug costs. Each district contributes a fixed monthly amount per employee, a strategy intended to offset higher expenses from emergency-room and urgent-care use.
Superintendent John Fattal says the program also helps attract and keep staff in a tight teacher market. Physician assistant Shelley Littleton, who works at the clinic, highlights the personal attention patients receive, while experts note that direct-primary-care models can reduce administrative overhead and improve access for uninsured residents. The initiative reflects broader concerns about rising employer health-care costs and shrinking insurance coverage in Michigan.
Why it matters
Free primary-care clinics could ease rising health-care costs for schools and improve access for workers without insurance.
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