© 2024 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Coverage from across Michigan and the state Capitol with the Michigan Public Radio Network and Interlochen Public Radio.

Traverse Health Clinic Expands, Expects Increased Patient Demand

A clinic for the uninsured is expanding its office in Traverse City, and adding a new doctor.

The Traverse Health Clinic also has begun accepting Medicaid. It’s planning for a surge of new patients who could struggle to find a doctor in private practice.

The clinic surveyed area physicians in 2012, says Development Director Sherri Fenton
“The majority of them had indicated to us that they have a cap on the number of Medicaid patients that they take,” she says. “And that that cap would likely not be changing.”

Fenton says an additional 5,000 people are now expected to qualify Medicaid in Grand Traverse County alone. The change comes with the Medicaid expansion known as Healthy Michigan.

Fenton says the Traverse Heath Clinic will also continue to treat patients who have no health insurance, and no ability to pay.