McKee announces plan to strengthen primary care as Anchor is set to close its first facility

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Governor Dan McKee has announced short and long-term plans to strengthen Rhode Island’s primary care system.

McKee plans to file a budget amendment to speed up a proposed review of primary care provider rates by a year.

McKee’s administration is also requiring commercial health insurance to increase funding for primary care reimbursements.

That will also require a 20-percent reduction in prior authorization requirements, when providers are required to get approval from insurance companies before giving treatments, tests and medications.

McKee also announced $5 million in grants for primary care practices.

The first closure of an Anchor Medical facility is Wednesday.

Warwick providers will still provide patient care services in Anchor’s Lincoln office until the end of June when all anchor locations will close.