• A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illness. Nurse Practitioners prescribe medications, treat illness, and administer physical exams. NPs differ from physicians in that they focus on prevention, wellness, and education. NPs specialize in providing all encompassing individualized care.

• Obtain medical histories and perform physical examinations
• Provide immunizations and other preventative child care
• Diagnose and treat illnesses
• Identify, treat, and manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests such as x-rays, blood work, and EKG's
• Prescribe medications
• Prescribe physical therapy, massage therapy, and other rehabilitation therapy
• Provide education to allow patients to make decisions about their own health
• Perform procedures such as suturing, casting, cryotherapy, and skin biopsy
• Refer to other health care providers

From npcentral.net

The cost of processing insurance claims would necessitate higher costs to our uninsured neighbors. Additionally, insurance companies pay only a percentage of the bill submitted. So, hiring additional staff to process claims would mean that many more people would have to be seen per work day, meaning shorter appointment times.

Rushing through a medical visit could mean missing important information and possibly missing a diagnosis.

Most laboratory tests are done on site. We collect samples during the office visit. There is a cost associated with lab work. See the price list on this website (subject to change). The labs must be paid for at the time the sample is taken.

I work closely with Vancouver Radiology and order radioligic tests through them. They will provide a 25% discount if the bill is paid in full at the time of the study.

Sometimes a very expensive test, like an MRI is needed. 25% off $4,000 is still too much for many people. In those cases I work with Southwest and Legacy for charity care.

If your lab results are abnormal, we need to discuss what this means and possibly institute medication and/or lifestyle changes and/or other therapy modalities.

If your lab results are normal we need to discuss what this means. If you are still having symptoms that brought you to the clinic, we need to decide what further diagnostic testing needs to be done and if you need to be referred to a specialist.

Several specialists (some connected with the local hospitals) have agreed to take my patients at reduced cost and/or payment plan.