County board approves PrimeWest to help facilitate county health care needs
Lyon County Commissioner Rick Anderson went on record Tuesday in support of a resolution that will allow the county to join the PrimeWest Rural Minnesota Health Care Access Initiative.
He joined Commissioner Charlie Sanow, who already was on record in support of the PrimeWest plan. The entire county board agreed to become a non-paying member of PrimeWest for now.
While they haven’t officially joined PrimeWest as a paying member, the cost will be $2,462,933 if they choose to. PrimeWest directs accountability for the health care resources provided by Lyon County.
They facilitate integration with county public health and social services agencies and plays a key role in addressing social determinants of physical health, behavioral health and community health needs.
They also work with agencies to improve population health and case management services. Commissioner Rick Anderson said PrimeWest is a, “Good option, a very good option.”
He indicated, “They help out other services in the county.” PrimeWest has been trying to “grow” it’s business by adding counties to their county-based purchasing organization.
They currently serve the counties of Beltrami, Big Stone, Clearwater, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, McLeod, Meeker, Pipestone, Pope, Renville, Stevens and Traverse.
The Lyon County Board has been studying the PrimeWest proposal for several months after the Southern Prairie organization began to falter and no longer was an option for Lyon County.