Making Appointments
It is a good idea to make an appointment to see your new provider as soon as you receive your Oregon Health ID and CCO cards. If you have not been to the doctor in a year or more, it is even more important to do this.
- Your provider will learn about your health needs, and you will get to know your provider.
- Then it will be easier to get help if you have a health problem.
It may take some time to get your first appointment. You can get to know the provider and the people who work in the provider's office. Have your Oregon Health ID, CCO ID and any other health coverage ID cards handy when you call.
Before the Visit
Get these things ready so that you can bring them to your visit:
- A list of all medicines you take, including each one's dosage
- A list of the diseases or conditions you know you have
- A list of things you want to ask the provider.
- Your Oregon Health ID, CCO ID and any other health coverage cards (such as Medicare or private health insurance IDs). If you can't find your cards, you can still go to your health care visit.
Use the Doctor Visit Planning Tool to remember what to ask at your visit:
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Keeping your health care appointments is important. If you do not have your own car, you might:
- Take the bus
- Ask a friend or relative to drive you or
- Find a volunteer from a community service agency.
If you still need help, call your CCO or local ride service. Do this at least two days before the appointment. Find your local ride service.
Let your provider know ahead of time. Your provider's office will set up a new visit.
At the Appointment
Do this by giving them all your health coverage information — including private insurance, OHP and CCO information — at each visit.
- By law, OHP pays for health care costs last. This means that other insurance will pay for services first. OHP pays whatever costs are left, and when there is no other insurance.
- If you are getting treatment for a personal injury covered by Workers Compensation, auto insurance, or a personal settlement, tell your provider about this coverage.
- If your providers know about all your health coverage, they must bill the coverage. They also cannot charge you for any part of the bill that your coverage already paid.
- Your providers can only bill insurance or OHP if they know about it. If they don't know about your insurance or OHP, they may bill you and expect you to pay.
Listen carefully to everything your provider says, and answer all the questions he or she asks. Take notes of what your doctor tells you.
Here are four good questions to ask:
- Do you have ideas about how I can be healthier?
- What do I need to do?
- Why do I need to do this?
- When do I need to come back?
If you are confused about anything, ask questions. Your providers are there to answer them.
You may be asked to fill out or sign forms. If you do not understand them, ask for help. Your provider’s office must help you get information in the way that best works for you.
After Your Appointment
After your appointment, your provider will bill your health coverage, in this order:
- Private health insurance
- Medicare
- OHP (your CCO and/or OHA)
Your provider is responsible for billing correctly. If your provider knows about all your health coverage, you should not have to help your provider's office correct any billing problems.