Beginning January 1, 2003, The Corvallis Clinic is temporarily changing the way it accepts new Medicare or Medicaid patients. Like national and regional providers including those in Portland, Salem and Washington State, the change has become necessary in order to preserve our ability to provide quality medical services.
- For our current patients, we will continue to see all established seniors and Medicaid patients.
- For primary care, we will continue to see Medicare patients who have seen their primary care physicians in the past 36 months. For Medicaid (OMAP/IHN), it is 18 months.
- For specialty care, we will continue to see all Medicare/Medicaid patients referred to our specialists.
The highest quality of care for our patients.
The Clinic now cares for 20,000 Medicare and Medicaid patients annually, and that number continues to rise as more existing patients become eligible. At the same time, the federal and state government plans to decrease its payment for physician services. Medicare plans 18 percent reductions through 2005. Funding for the Oregon Health Plan continues to decline. Our goal has always been to offer each and every one of our patients uncompromising care. But with such a significant increase in our Medicare and Medicaid patient base, it will difficult to continue to provide that high level of care practiced by our physicians if benefit reductions continue.
Dedicated to helping those in need.
In 2002, our physicians contributed more than $5.5 million in in-kind Medicare/Medicaid services. These in-kind services will continue to be offered. In fact, given historical trends, the contributions will
more than likely increase.
New primary insurance providers added.
To offer patients more choice, The Clinic recently added a new senior insurance provider, Regence HMO Oregon Preferred Choice Sixty-Five, to our other carriers, Secure Horizons and Providence Medicare Extra (PEBB members only). If you expect to change your insurance plan and it is economically feasible, we encourage you to consider one of these plans, which The Clinic accepts. For specific details, please call their customer service numbers toll-free at: 1-800-637-9284 (Secure Horizons) 1-800-228-0978 (Regence Preferred Choice Sixty-Five)
Speaking your voice.
Congressional leaders need to be convinced that the access to quality medical care for our seniors and special needs patients is dependent on keeping quality physicians. By continuing to reduce payments to physicians, patients will find a reduction in medical access. It is suggested you contact your legislative representatives in Washington.
A history of caring since 1947.
Certainly, we at The Clinic have undertaken this action only after long and thoughtful consideration. For more than half a century, our mission has always been to serve the people of Linn, Benton and
Lincoln counties with care and compassion. And you have our pledge that we will continue to do so well into the future.
Actions you can take.
If you are affected by this change in accepting new Medicare/Medicaid patients, here are a few steps you may want to consider.
- If it is economically feasible, consider enrolling under senior insurance providers such as Regence Preferred Choice Sixty-Five or Secure Horizons.
- Contact your federal representatives about the need for government intervention in providing necessary funding for senior health care.
- Consider local physicians who are accepting new Medicare/Medicaid patients. A current list is available at our website at www.corvallis-clinic.com/Medicare, or you can call the Find-A-Physician line at 541-757-3757 or 541-791-2565.
- Other resources:
Community Outreach Medical Clinics, 541-758-3000
Lincoln School Health Center, 541-766-3546
Monroe Health Clinic, 541-847-5143.