The Patient Quality Alliance (PQA) would like to recognize the Oneida County Clinic for achieving excellence in providing preventative care for their patients during the 4th quarter of 2024.

PQA is a Clinically Integrated Network dedicated to improving quality  of care and decreasing healthcare costs in Southeast Idaho. PQA works with four other rural health clinics and their associated critical access hospitals, as well as many other private and employed clinics in Southeastern Idaho to accomplish these goals.  In 2024, PQA challenged all clinics in the network to make sure that all their patients get an annual wellness visit (AWV) if they have Medicare or an annual wellness exam (AWE) if they have a commercial insurance.  Medicare and other insurers provide these annual wellness visits without any cost to the patient, because they know how beneficial it is for patients to see their doctors regularly and be proactive in preventing and managing medical problems.  The annual wellness visit, or exam is designed to have the provider and patient meet, talk over the age-appropriate health concerns, make sure immunizations and cancer screenings are up to date, and develop a yearly plan to manage the patient’s medical problems.  These visits are the center of preventative care and key to decreasing costs of care for our communities and nation while improving quality of life for patients. 

Oneida County Clinic was the top performer in the rural health division of primary care clinics for the 4th quarter of 2024. Their caring staff reached out to these patients, explained the importance of the wellness visit, expressed the concern the providers had for their health, and patients responded.  PQA would also like to thank the public for responding, using this free benefit, and following their providers recommendations for maintaining or improving their health.  

Quality based care is changing how we provide medical care in the United States. Traditionally, patients come to their provider only when sick. Too often they are so sick that treatment may require an emergency room visit or even hospitalization, both of which are very expensive to the patient and the healthcare system. This has become an unsustainable care delivery model that drives up healthcare costs for everyone. Annual Wellness Visits and Exams are designed to keep patients healthy and out of the emergency room and hospitals by patients working together with their providers to prevent and manage health problems.  

When asked about the importance of annual wellness exams, Dr. James Pickett, Chief Medical Officer for Nell J. Redfield Memorial Hospital explains that “The clinic practitioners are grateful for the time that a wellness visit allows for the provider and patient to build a personalized care plan that promotes a healthy lifestyle and quality of life. Wellness exams are invaluable in discussing age specific needs, recognizing health issues early, and identifying recommended screening tests based on a patient’s health status, age, and family history.” 

On behalf of the Patient Quality Alliance of Southeast Idaho, we thank the Oneida County Primary Care clinicians and staff for their exemplary effort in being the top rural health clinic in PQA during the past 4th quarter of 2024 by providing the preventative care their patients need. PQA would also like to express their appreciation to the Oneida County area patients who have come in and taken advantage of their free Annual Wellness Visit or Exam. They are on a path of prevention which should enable them to have a happier, healthier and longer life. 

V. Esplin, MD

Medical Director, PQA