Clinic cuts the high cost of emergency care
Photo by Steve Dytees
Minor lacerations and breaks, sprains, and allergies are examples of common "minor emergencies"
that Med-i-clinic can treat
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By DAWN GARCIA
Of *«• EnwraM
People often pay more for minor emergency health care,
because expensive hospital emergency rooms are their only option,
says Dr Robert Lewis
Lewis recently opened Med-i-clinic at 362 E 12th Ave ,
Eugene's first alternative emergency room The clinic treats minor
emergencies and walk-in problems in less time than a hospital
emergency room and at one-third to one-half the cost, Lewis said
"We fit in between a doctor's office and an emergency
department.' Lewis says We re designed to treat minor emer
gencies that don t need a specialist or the emergency care a
hospital provides "
The rise of "convenience medicine — 24-hour clinics open
seven days a week — has people using expensive emergency care
for non-severe medical problems. Lewis says Minor lacerations
and breaks, sprains, and allergies are examples of common ' minor
emergencies' that Med-i-clinic can treat
Patients are seen on a first-come first-served basis in this new
walk-in clinic and although true emergencies always will be
handled first, "we try to keep the waits down. ' Lewis says
Med-i-clinic stresses the "humanistic, open' approach, Lewis
says adding that he and his staff relate well to students
"If you can have a good experience in a doctor s office we
think you can have it here ”
Costs are kept to a minimum by maintaining a small staff — one
physician one nurse assistant and one receptionist By asking
patients to pay at the time of the visit billing costs are almost
eliminated
Patients still can be reimbursed by their insurance companies
from the information Med-i-clinic provides
The clime is part of a nationwide movement to cut emergency
medical costs Lewis says, noting that the first of such clinics
sprung up four or five years ago Although this is the first in Eugene
many similar clinics exist in Portland, and there is one in Salem
Lewis is quick to note however that although Med-i-climc is
less costly than emergency hospital care it is not a tree clinic and
receives no federal, state or local subsidies True emergencies will
be seen regardless of method of payment but some arrangement
must be made for the services given
Since its opening Oct 12. Med-t-climc has seen the usual
sprains, minor cuts and bruises and some viruses but expects to
see more people coming in with flu symptoms now that flu season is
just around the corner. Lewis says To deal with these and other
medical problems Med-i-clinic utilizes its compact but competent
facilities
Depending on one s perspective. Med-i-clinic resembles either
an expanded version of a doctor s office or a scaled-down hospital
emergency room Facilities include two examining rooms a lab a
surgery room and an X-ray room
Besides treating the serious bumps and bruises. Med-i-clinic
can provide allergy and immunization shots pap smears and
physical examinations almost on a moment's notice Lewis says
Although he believes Med-i-clinic can fill in the gap between a
family doctor and a hospital emergency room. Lewis says that this
new clinic is not a substitute for either
"You should continue seeing a family doctor and we re not
competing with the hospitals, but when you do need us we ll
consider it a privilege to take care of you, Lewis says
Med-i-clinic is open from 10am to 8pm weekdays and 10
a m to 6 p m on weekends and is closed during all major holidays
For more information, call 484-5373
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