Telehealth (Video Visits) Update

The Rinehart Clinic Care Team now offers video visits, phone visits, and we are expanding our in-person visits as the COVID-19 restrictions are being cautiously lifted in phases throughout Tillamook County. 

We know these have been anxious times, and you may be hesitant to come in to the clinic for an appointment. We have been concerned about the safety of our patients, too, and have encouraged folks to stay home and stay safe. But we also know how important it is to your health and well-being to stay connected to your health care providers, and we want to make sure you know we are here for you.

Here are the options you have for meeting with your Rinehart Clinic provider:

• Video visits from home – Have a web-cam and Internet access? If you have a computer, smart phone, or mobile device with a camera and an Internet connection, you can meet with your provider via video. It’s easy, and our staff will walk you through it.
   
• Video visits from the parking lot – No device or Internet? Our staff can meet you in the Rinehart Clinic parking lot and you can have a safe, secure visit with your provider from your car using one of our iPads. (Want more information on telehealth visits? Watch the demonstration videos below!)
   
• Need to see your provider in person?  Our Primary Care Providers are still doing in-person appointments at the clinic for appointments that need a physical exam, following all the necessary guidelines to ensure a safe visit. Over the coming weeks, we will begin to welcome more patients to the clinic for appointments, depending on the treatment needed. Patients will be scheduled so the number of people in the clinic at any one time is limited. And masks are still required for patients and staff. If you do not have a mask, we will provide one.
   
• By telephone from home – Are video visits not possible for you?  You can schedule an appointment to speak with your provider over the phone.

Rinehart Clinic & Pharmacy seeks additional board members

Rinehart Clinic’s Board of Directors is recruiting for additional volunteers to join the board. The Board Development Committee has issued the following call for candidates:

We seek candidates who support the mission of the clinic and who can help us achieve our goals. The Rinehart Clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center whose mission is to provide accessible, effective and comprehensive medical care and education, assuring optimal health and well-being for all in our community, regardless of health or financial circumstances.

Candidates would need to reside in the Rinehart Clinic’s service area (from Manzanita to Tillamook). Board members need to attend monthly board meetings and participate in subcommittee work that takes advantage of their experiences. The board is seeking people with an enthusiasm for volunteering and who also may have expertise in the medical field, communication, law, fundraising, or construction and design.

If you are interested in serving on the Rinehart Clinic Board of Directors, please submit a letter of interest that includes information about yourself, your background, and why you want to volunteer to serve on the board. Email your letter and any backup materials to boardofdirectors@rinehartclinic.org.

If you are interested in learning more about Rinehart Clinic, visit www.rinehartclinic.org.

Inside Rinehart Clinic:  Meet Nicole, Our Biller/Coder/Front Office Supervisor

Nicole Townsend-Treber is our resident expert on electronic health records, coding for proper insurance reimbursement, and billing, and that expertise has played a key role in keeping things on track at Rinehart Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nicole has worked behind the scenes to adjust on the fly as we implemented phone and video visits, staying up to date with all the rapid changes, and working to educate managers and our medical providers on how these visits should be noted in the health records system.

Normal busy days are a thing of the past for Nicole. Now, her work moves at lightning speed and she gets interrupted 15-20 times most days. Keeping up with the billing changes has been challenging – the rules and guidelines can change every month during normal times; these days, the changes can be weekly, or even daily. “The sticky notes on my monitor are my brain right now” she jokes.

Still, she likes that she is constantly learning, and she appreciates the people she works with. “It has been heartening to watch the entire staff come together to address the challenges that have come with this public health emergency to ensure we are all able to care for our patients,” said Nicole. 

Coronavirus Information Resources