Bluebird Health expands to include imaging services

Bluebird Health and Imaging is committed to affordability and accessibility, providing a caring and comfortable space to receive quality health care.  

That’s why five months ago Dr. Daniel Gragert expanded access to provide Flathead Valley with an outpatient imaging center that provides CT scans and ultrasounds.  

The low cost and easy access service at 104 Westview Park Place in Kalispell has already proven to be lifesaving for at least one patient. Gragert said that after a child hit his head, his parents were unsure how serious the injury was and did not want to risk the long wait at the emergency room.  

After receiving a CT scan at Bluebird Imaging, a substantial fracture was discovered, and he was rushed to Logan Health Medical Center.  

“That kid very likely wouldn’t have lived if this facility or a facility like it didn’t exist because there is a pretty big barrier to sometimes seeking that care,” Gragert said. 

CT scans and ultrasounds are offered for a flat rate, with a CT scan capped at $195. Gragert said the next cheapest option for the same scan is around $1,200. 

Before providing imaging, Gragert started the Bluebird Health direct primary care service to meet a need for less costly care that bridges the gap between doctor and patient felt in larger facilities. Patients don’t need insurance to visit Bluebird Health or its imaging services. 

“We don’t want to make people a price tag,” he said.  

Bluebird Health charges a flat monthly fee for unlimited access to primary care. Non-members can still receive CT scans and ultrasounds, which provides another option for imaging in the Flathead Valley.  

The Bluebird Health team is made up of a core group of four medical professionals, each with at least a decade of experience in their field. Chad Wangerin was a CT technician at Logan Health for around 10 years before joining Bluebird Imaging, where he says he can focus on patient care.  

Tyra Ramirez joined the team two months ago as the imaging service patient coordinator but has been working in radiology for nearly two decades. 

“I just wanted to go to more of a care model where the patient is the priority and what Dr. Gragert is doing here aligns with what I was looking to get into,” said Ramirez. “I feel like that accessibility is really what patient care should be about.”  

Wendy Gordon has been in the health care business for over 20 years, having been working with mainly larger medical providers in the past.  

“You wait two months to get an appointment for 15 minutes face time,” she said. “Here, if you book an hour with Dr. Gragert you’re going to get an hour.”   

Gordon’s office is warmly decorated, situated with a reclining chair where patients can receive IV treatments and injections.  

“It’s more like a small country doctor office feel where our patients may still have insurance for emergencies and things like that, but they love the feeling of being able to connect with their doctor.”   

Patients coming into the Bluebird Health and Imaging office may also be lucky enough to be greeted by its tail-wagging unofficial dog mascot, Mr. Snifferton. 

Contact Bluebird Imaging at 406-802-5867 or through bluebird-imaging.com. 

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at junderhill@dailyinterlake.com and 758-4407.  

    Mr. Snifferton takes a break from greeting clients to receive some scratches and treats from Wendy Gordon, Clinical Care Coordinator, at Bluebird Health Imaging in Kalispell on Thursday, Nov. 14. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Bluebird Health Imaging at 104 Westview Park Place in Kalispell on Thursday, Nov. 14. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider