Big News- I'm joining a group medical clinic

As of the end of this month, I will be leaving Apex Wellness Center and joining Heart Spring Health.  Here are all the details, taken from my notification letter mailed to all patients who I have seen recently:

I am writing to update you on my practice information.  I have tried to update those who I have seen since the move has been planned, but this may be news to a lot of you.  As of Monday, November 3rd, 2014 I will be joining the group practice Heart Spring Health in inner SE Portland.  I will be practicing at Apex Wellness Center only through the end of the month.

This will be a positive move for my patients and myself.  Heart Spring Health is home to other Naturopathic Doctors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, a holistically-minded nurse as well as full office reception, billing, medical assistance and clinic management.  So in addition to seeing me for your Naturopathic and/or Primary Care needs, you can also get acupuncture, massage, physical medicine and hydrotherapy all under one roof.  See www.heartspringhealth.com for more information on this clinic.

For my patients, this means to now call Heart Spring Health to schedule your next appointment.  Call if you need a supplement refill. Call if you have questions about your last treatment plan.  Call if you have billing or insurance questions.  Call if you need labs ordered prior to your next visit.  Call if you need a prescription refill and the pharmacy has said that they cannot fax over a prescription refill request (as they normally do) but need the refill called in.  The receptionists are there to help you!

Insurance coverage for private healthcare plans will be the same, so whatever co-pay or co-insurance you are used to will not change.  In fact, I will soon be In Network with Moda and perhaps a few more soon! The only changes that will affect patients are that I will no longer be a participating provider with Oregon Health Plan and the Patient/Physician Co-operative.  For OHP, they have been an incomprehensible burden that does not actually pay for visits no matter what they say.  Heart Spring Health has many care/visit package options (that any receptionist can explain when calling) which makes the PPC unnecessary- and simpler for both provider and patient.

Please use the contact information at the bottom of the page to update the best way to get a hold of me.  My current practice number will still exist, but the phone will be on silent during business hours and Heart Spring Health has their own after-hours/urgent protocol so use their main phone number for all needs instead of my current number from here on out.   Also, please use the full reception assistance instead of texting or emailing- there are quite a few issues with both modes of communication (texts and emails getting lost, lag in response when reception can handle questions much more quickly, absolutely no security in email conversations with the legal burden being on my head, the list goes on).

For your first visit at Heart Spring Health, you may be scheduled as a “New Patient.” That is only so that the reception team can email you the consent form which will be needed to be signed.  Do not fill out the Adult Intake Form (aka New Patient Paperwork)- that is not necessary.

I look forward to seeing you at Heart Spring Health real soon!

p.s. Here are a few glimpses inside to hold you over 'til I see you there!