ReadyCare

Wondering If ReadyCare Is Right For You?

ReadyCare is for acute and minor illness and injuries. If you are unsure if ReadyCare would be appropriate for your health concern, one of our clinic staff may be able to assist you! Call the ReadyCare line directly at 509-332-8847.

Please note that we are unable to provide medical advice over the phone. If you are a patient of Palouse Medical, please call the main line at 509-332-2517, and leave a message for your primary care provider.

For any other recommendations, we suggest coming by the office during ReadyCare hours and one of our clinical team members can triage your symptoms.

 

When using ReadyCare, please be aware that we may need to triage your health concern to determine if our minor care clinic is the best place for you to receive the care that you require. There are many variables that contribute to whether or not a minor care clinic is the most appropriate place to be treated for a medical concern.

It is important to remember that some health concerns cannot be properly addressed or treated in this setting and sometimes your care may require or be better suited for:

• An appointment with your primary care provider
  Some health concerns need to be addressed with a primary care provider who will be able to provide you with the follow up care that you require. Good examples of these types of concerns are chronic health conditions or if you are in need of medication refills.
• The Emergency Department
  Emergency rooms have immediate access to diagnostic equipment and technologies that our minor care clinic doesn’t have available. Other medical issues are beyond the scope of minor care. We want you to get the care you need.

Everyone!

You don’t have to be a current Palouse Medical patient to use ReadyCare. It is open to patients of all ages, whether you are a resident or visitor.

Do I Need an Appointment? Can I Call Ahead and Reserve My Spot?

ReadyCare is walk-in only. We assist patients based on a “first come, first served” waiting queue model. You must be present in the clinic in order to add yourself on the list.

• It is always our goal to deliver the highest quality of professional health care within a timely fashion to our patients. Please be aware that dependent on patient volume or the nature of the visits ahead of you, varying waiting periods can be anticipated.
• If wait times are unexpectedly long and you need to leave the clinic briefly, please let the front desk know. We may be able to reserve your place in line for a short period of time. If you leave without letting us know, we may have to remove you from the queue so that we may move on to assist the patients who are currently in the office waiting.

During the school year (and flu-season in particular), patient volume can greatly increase. ReadyCare may reach capacity and therefor have to close the line for patients for the rest of the day.

This means coming in later in the afternoon can be risky!

• We understand that people’s schedules can vary, however at this time we often only have one physician working ReadyCare. There are only so many patients that they are able to see in a day while still being able to maintain efficient walk-in healthcare for our community.
• ReadyCare will continue taking patients into the later afternoon at the provider’s discretion.

ReadyCare closes on weekdays from 12:00pm – 1:00pm

• The provider will not see any patients during this time but you are still welcome to get in line and guarantee yourself a spot for the afternoon.

How Do I Know if ReadyCare Is Still Accepting Patients?

If you plan to come in the afternoon, it is recommend to give us a call before heading in to ensure we are still able to accept patients.

• We update Google with any foreseeable closures and as best as we can when reaching capacity on weekdays, however calling is the most reliable way to find out if the line is still open.
  • While wait times can vary and change rapidly, we can generally provide you with a rough estimate of the current wait time if you give our clinic a call.
  • Depending on the time of day, we cannot make any guarantee that we will still be accepting patients when you arrive. Closures are at the provider’s discretion and patient volume can sometimes be unpredictable. If you are traveling from out of town, it is recommend you come in the morning if you would like to ensure a spot in line.
• Signs are posted on the doors when the line is closed for the day.

Check-in at the front desk

• You will need a photo ID and a copy of your health insurance card. Patients under the age of 18 must have their parent or guardian present with this information.
  • If you do not have your health insurance card, you will need to provide another form of proof of insurance. We likely will need your insurance ID number and the billing address for medical claims. Some plans we may be able to look up online, please call ahead of coming in to make sure you have all the necessary information.
  • A photo ID is required to be seen. We accept a state ID or drivers license, a passport, or any other form of ID that has your name and photograph on it (such as a Cougar Card).

Identify your chief complaint/main health concern or issue

Please notify us immediately if you believe you are experiencing an emergency and we will have one of our clinic team members come out to assist you.

Complete brief paperwork for billing and registration purposes and collect copay

• Registration paperwork is required for all new patients. We also require it be completed once a year for billing purpose, and in the case of a name or address change.
• Please make sure children or those who otherwise need assistance filling out paperwork have someone with them to do so.
  • If you are unable to write for any reason, please let our front desk know and we will do our best to assist you.
• It is also at this time that we will collect any co-payment set by your insurance, if you are paying out-of-pocket for the visit we will collect that at the end of your appointment.

You are then placed in a waiting queue to be seen by the provider

Remember, ReadyCare is based on order of arrival and waiting times may vary. If you are concerned your issue is more urgent and/or unsure if ReadyCare is the right place for your issue, please let our staff know and we will have a clinical team member triage your symptoms to ensure that they are not better suited for another location.

Don’t forget to check-out

After your visit, stop at the check-out desk. If it is on the weekend, please stop back by the front desk.

• It is at this time where will we assist you with any referrals or orders that were placed by the physician as well as take any payment from those who are paying for their visit fully out-of-pocket.

Those With Health Insurance

ReadyCare is more affordable than the costs incurred at an Emergency Room or an Urgent Care. We accept and can bill most commercial insurances, but would require payment-at-the-time of service if we are unable to.

If you’re not sure if we accept your insurance or are looking for an estimation of benefits, it is recommended that you contact your insurance company directly. In most cases, the number for customer service is located on the back of your insurance card.

You may also contact our billing office at 509-332-1229 with any insurance or billing questions. If it is on the weekend, call the ReadyCare line at 509-332-8847, as the front desk may be able to assist you.

Please remember that ReadyCare is a minor care clinic, and is not an urgent care facility. The billing and services provided by these two types of facilities are different.

 

Those With Medicaid Insurance

As of 2023, ReadyCare and Palouse Medical are contracted with Molina Apple Health of Washington, Coordinated Care of Washington, and some Idaho Medicaid plans (see disclaimers below). We are unable to accept any other out-of-state Medicaids. Unfortunately, Medicaid prohibits us from accepting payment for services from their members. This means if we are not contracted with your Medicaid plan, we are unable to see you at either ReadyCare or Palouse Medical.

If you have a state insurance plan that we are not contracted with, we recommended the following options:

• Call your primary care provider to see about scheduling an appointment
• Call your insurance company to see who is contracted closest to your location
• Seek emergency services

Disclaimers:

If you have Idaho Medicaid (and are not a current patient of Palouse Medical) please call and have us look into your insurance plan before heading in. We are not contracted with Idaho Medicaid Healthy Connections. If you have Healthy Connections, you will need to seek services in Idaho (such as Quick Care in Moscow), your primary care provider, or the emergency department.

If you have United Healthcare Apple Health and are a visitor or student, we may be able to see you in ReadyCare. If you have moved to Whitman County permanently and are still under this plan, it is recommended you call your insurance as soon as possible as this plan is no longer offered in our area.

 

Those With Medicare Advantage Plans

There are some Medicare Advantage plans that we are not contracted with. Depending on your plan, you may have to pay out-of-pocket for your services at ReadyCare. Please double-check with our billing office or the front desk before heading in to be seen.

 

Those Without Health Insurance

ReadyCare requires payment in-full at the time of service. We provide a 20% discount on the office visit to patients who are paying up-front.

 

Those Involved in a Motor-Vehicle Accident or Experiencing a Work-Related Injury

Motor-Vehicle Accidents

ReadyCare is unable to bill third-party insurances such as car insurance. Please know that if you are coming in to be seen for any injury pertaining to a motor-vehicle accident, you will need to pay for your visit in-full at the time of service. When doing so, keep your receipt as you may be eligible for reimbursement from the car insurance company.

Work-Related Injuries

ReadyCare is unable to bill a workman’s compensation claim for any patients that are not established with a provider at Palouse Medical.

• If you were injured at work and are not a Palouse Medical patient: Please reach out to your primary care provider for an appointment, or seek emergency services.
• If you are an established patient of Palouse Medical: Please call our billing office before coming in to ensure you have all the appropriate information needed for us to process your claim. In certain cases you may need to get a claim number from your employer before we are able to see you.

Unsure if you’re injury is work-related? Contact your employer! State laws provide you the right to receive workman’s compensation for injuries accrued while on the job.

 

For More Questions

If you have a concern about billing, insurance, or payments for services at ReadyCare, please call our billing office during Palouse Medical’s business hours (M-F from 8:00am-5:00pm) at 509-332-1229.

If you are calling before 8:00am or on a Saturday, please feel free to check with the front desk by calling the ReadyCare line at 509-332-8847.