Sprig Health, an Oregon-based online health care website, has jumped into the Seattle area. But when Obamacare starts in 2014, how well will their model blend with Affordable Care?

A crowd gathered to cheer the Supreme Court ruling and criticize Washington's attorney general.

Sun, Jun 24, 5 p.m.

The U.S. Supreme Court could be on the verge of a ruling on the Affordable Care Act. A look at one couple's situation.

Back in June of 2012, a small crowd gathered outside the Bank of America tower in downtown Seattle to celebrate the Supreme Courts upholding of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Supporters shared stories about rounds of chemotherapy, the frustrations and uncertainty of living without insurance, and stressed the importance of universal health care when Affordable Care is implemented in 2014.

With that kind of dissatisfaction, the health-care sector is seeking to give consumers new options.

Washington consumers are starting to see one change with the entry of Sprig Health, a growing Oregon-based company offering an online market place providing customers with direct access to health care. In August 2012, they expanded into Washington, giving the 14.5 percent of Washingtons currently uninsured perhaps some relief until ACA takes effect.

Sprig, which runs under auspices of Regence BlueCross BlueShield, offers discounted medical services such as preventative care, therapy, chiropractic, vision, dental, fitness, nutrition, and diagnostic imaging.

How it works is simple: A customer schedules an appointment with a care provider partnered with Sprig on their website, pays a reduced upfront fee, then sees the provider.

By handling the insurance billing and administrative paperwork that typically the health care provider needs to process, Sprig Health says it is able to produce significant cost savings a boon to the approximately 75 percent of Sprig customers who are uninsured or face high deductibles.

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