Frequently Asked Questions
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Appointments
Office visit
Medical Records/Test Results
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Insurance/Billing
Other
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Appointments
How do I make an appointment?
Some insurance plans require that your primary care physician provide you a referral for specialist care. Please check to determine what coverage your plan will provide so necessary documentation can be in place before your appointment.
Appointments are made by calling the specialty clinic directly. Scheduling is available Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Phone numbers and clinic hours for a specific facility can be found under Specialties & Services, Locations and Contact Us. The scheduler will need to know:
- The reason for your appointment
- Your insurance information
- Whether there are special factors to consider, such as the need to schedule an interpreter for the appointment.
Every effort is made to accommodate patient need and physician request.
How do I get a follow up appointment?
The practitioner will document in your progress notes when a follow-up visit is necessary and will let you know the need for this follow-up. You can either make your follow-up appointment at the front desk after your visit or call the clinic later. If the follow-up is to be more than three months out, the scheduler will call you from our recall list to be sure the appointment is be made at a convenient time.
Do I need a referral from my primary care physician to see a specialist?
Some insurance plans require that your primary care physician provide you a referral for specialist care. Please check to determine what coverage your plan will provide so necessary documentation can be in place before your appointment.
Office Visits
What happens on my first visit?
Your first visit is a consultation. Ask your primary physician or referral physician to send us any parts of your medical record that is relevant to your visit. These records will provide background and will help avoid redundant testing.
During this visit, our providers will talk with you to understand your medical and family history, with specific emphasis on the present problem bringing you to our office. A complete physical examination is done as well. Follow-up visits are shorter, unless necessitated by the present condition.
Note that most health plans and insurance companies now require a referral from your primary care physician before a consultation or visit. Be sure you have obtained such a referral before your visit, if necessary.
Why do I need to show my insurance card at each visit?
A patient's insurance plan may change many times so to be sure we have current information, we ask to see your card if it has been over a month since your last visit. Inaccurate insurance information can delay payment and may lead to increased medical costs for all patients.
Why do I need to bring photo ID on my first visit
On June 1st, 2009 the Federal Trade Commission’s Red Flag Rule took affect which requires all healthcare organizations to ask for proof of identity for all patients. Providing this proof and having your picture taken to display in your medical file helps protect you from medical identity theft which is a growing problem nation wide.
Is there convenient parking at The Oregon Clinic facilities?
All facilities for The Oregon Clinic have convenient, off-street, free parking. For more specific information for a particular facility, please contact the clinic directly.
All facilities for The Oregon Clinic are accessible by wheel chair and comply with ADA requirements. To find out specifics for a particular facility, please contact the clinic directly.
How do I find out more about my condition and treatment?
During your examination and treatment, information on your condition will be provided by the physician and licensed staff involved in your care. Patients are encouraged to ask their provider questions to be sure they understand their condition/treatment. We also have health education pamphlets, videos and books available in the clinic. You may also be referred to educational classes at The Oregon Clinic or various hospitals as appropriate. Referrals to community resources may be made with assistance from the Social Service Department of a specific hospital.
You may also utilize the Health Information page to find general information regarding your condition and treatment.
Test results/Medical records
How can I find out the results of my tests?
Patients are asked to call the physician's office for results of lab work and x-rays. In the event of an abnormal result requiring intervention, the physician or their designated staff person will notify the patient for follow-up or further testing.
Can I see my medical record?
The information in your medical record is available to you by contacting your physician. No information will be released by The Oregon Clinic to insurance companies, attorneys, or other parties without your written permission.
Can I see my medical record online?
You may see your medical record online by using your online connection to The Oregon Clinic, MyHealthConnection. MyHealthConnection is a secure, confidential and convenient way to access your health information from any computer at any time. For more information, please visit the MyHealthConnection page.
Insurance/Billing
How do I reach The Oregon Clinic if I have a question on my bill?
The Oregon Clinic Business Office Financial Counselors can be reached at 503-963-2801 from 8:00 am through 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. After hours, you can leave a voice mail message and your call will be returned on the next business day.
Can I pay my bill online?
Now there is an easy and secure way to pay your bill online. Please follow the instructions based on the type of statement you currently receive. If you are currently receiving paper statements - Type your unique URL into your Web browser to get started. You can find your URL in the upper left hand corner of your paper statement below your name and address. If you are currently receiving electronic (e-mail) statements - Click on the URL in the e-mail you received. This will take you to our secure messaging site, where you can view your statement and pay online (If you are new to our secure messaging site, you will need to set up an account). Once you retrieve your secure e-mail, click on "Pay Now" at the bottom. If you have an existing Oregon Clinic Bill Pay account click here. For more information, please visit our bill pay information page.
Where do I send my payment?
All payments should be sent to our Post Office Box.
The Oregon Clinic
MS 163, PO Box 5087
Portland, OR 97208-5087
It is the policy of The Oregon Clinic to post all patient payments within 1-3 business days of receipt. We will apply the payment towards the oldest outstanding visit unless otherwise specified. If you need to make payment arrangements, please contact our Financial Counselors at 503-963-2801.
Refund Policy:
If you believe you have made a payment in error or have any other issues or questions regarding payment history on your account with The Oregon Clinic, please contact us at 503-963-2801. Our customer service staff will work with you to meet your needs.
What insurance does The Oregon Clinic accept?
The Oregon Clinic accepts most insurance and will bill both primary and secondary insurance plans as a courtesy for our patients.
Some insurance plans have restrictions or a specific provider panel that patients must access. Please check with your insurance carrier for specific eligibility, benefits, provider panel and/or referral requirements as they apply to you. If you have insurance related questions, you can reach The Oregon Clinic Business Office by calling 503-963-2801. The operator will direct you to the appropriate Insurance Specialist to assist you.
In some cases, a physician is unable to accept new Medicaid patients. Please ask when you call to be sure your care will be covered.
Why did it take so long for my insurance to pay?
Insurance billing requires many steps and can take many weeks to complete. We are available for questions that you may have about our bill. We work with the insurance company to ensure correct claims processing. However, questions about how your insurance processed a specific claim should be directed to your insurance company. They can answer questions regarding how your policy and coverage apply to your care.
What if I can’t pay my bill in full?
We request that all balances be paid upon receipt, or broken into three equal monthly payments. If you are unable to do either of these options, a payment plan may be offered. Please contact our Financial Counselor Department at 503-963-2900.
Do you offer charity discounts?
If a patient is experiencing a financial hardship and provides us with income verification, we may be able to offer a charity discount. Our decision is based on the poverty guidelines by family size as defined by the federal government. Please contact our Financial Counselor Department at 503-963-2900 for details.
Other
To have a prescription refilled, contact your pharmacy. They will contact us if there are any questions. If there is a problem with your medications or you need a refill earlier than usual, call the clinic and explain the situation so we can have any changes approved by your physician before the Pharmacy calls us.
Can I request a prescription refill online?
You may request a prescription refill online by utilizing MyHealthConnection. MyHealthConnection is a secure, confidential and convenient way to access your health information from any computer at any time. For more information, please visit the MyHealthConnection page.
How do I reach my doctor in an emergency?
If it is a serious medical emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. Remember your health plan may require approval from your primary care physician before an emergency room visit. If you need to talk to your physician, call your physician’s office and describe your problem or need. Leave the phone number where you can be reached and we will respond to your call as soon as possible.
After hours, your call will be forwarded to our medical answering service, which will contact one of our on-call physicians. All after-hour calls are logged by the answering service and are accessible upon request. These records are kept according to State and Federal regulations.
How do I make a complaint?
If you have concerns, we encourage you to let us know so we may improve our service and care. You can contact us by calling the clinic or by sending a written complaint to:
The Oregon Clinic
975 SE Sandy Blvd., Suite 201
Portland OR 97214
Is The Oregon Clinic a part of the Providence healthcare system?
No. Our physicians are affiliated with Providence, Legacy, and other facilities but The Oregon Clinic physicians practice independently of any specific hospital system.