School board approves insurance change to end some direct-access clinic contracts, expand Achieve Health services

The Eau Claire Area School Board voted to approve the administration’s recommended Option 2 in an insurance update that will end the district’s relationship with direct-access clinics affiliated with Marshfield and expand services through Achieve Health.

The action, presented as the night’s single action item, followed extended discussion by board members about whether the change would preserve employees’ ongoing relationships with their primary-care physicians and whether referrals to specialty care within specific hospital systems would be maintained. The administration said the district expects the same or greater…