History
Physicians of Southwest Washington (PSW) is an Independent Physician Association that was formed in March 1995 by a group of Olympia area physicians. These physicians established PSW in order to provide continuity of health plan access for their patients. PSW contracts with health plans on behalf of its network of physicians and other health providers, the majority of whom operate solo or small group practices throughout the community. The PSW network includes both Capital Medical Center and Providence St. Peter Hospital, and many ancillary service providers such as laboratories, ambulatory surgery centers, physical therapists, and home care service providers. As of July 2008 there are more than 220 Thurston County physicians who participate in the PSW network. PSW has referral relationships with specialists and hospitals in Tacoma and Seattle for complex care needs.
Contracts
PSW contracts with health plans to provide medical and hospital services to members. As part of these health plan agreements, PSW manages medical referrals and processes medical claims on behalf of health plan members in it's Olympia office. Health plan members and providers who have any questions or concerns regarding referrals or claims can call or visit the PSW office for assistance.
Utilization Management
The goal of PSW's utilization management plan is to assure that PSW members receive all medically necessary services in a cost effective manner. For thirteen consecutive years, this local medical group has provided outstanding medical services to their patients.
Physicians of Southwest Washington (PSW) works with our providers to implement quality improvement programs. For the past four years PSW has been awarded a STEPS to a Healthier Washington grant to work with physician offices implementing the chronic care model to improve care for patients with diabetes.
PSW has been awarded a second grant through Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department to promote improved workplace health.
PSHP
PSW invested in and contracts with Puget Sound Health Partners (PSHP), a Medicare Advantage health plan available to Medicare beneficiaries residing in Thurston, Pierce and King County. PSW physicians are actively involved with PSHP to design the benefit plans and formulary to best serve the needs of the Medicare patients. While recognizing that choosing a health plan is a personal decision, PSW physicians will have information available on and encourage their patients with Medicare to consider the benefit plans of PSHP during the Annual Election Period and Open Enrollment Period. For more information, please go to PSHP website at: www.ourpshp.com.
The physicians and staff of PSW are committed to your good health and to supporting the physician-patient relationship through local management and innovation.