The Biemer Clinic
Early Fall Updates |
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| Hello friends! I hope you've had a terrific summer. I wanted to send out a few updates and reminders. Dr Lam has been with us now for nearly 2 years and her practice is filling. I have been in communication with several physicians and would love to add 1 or even 2 doctors to the practice in 2027. We are looking at new space both in the current MOB 5 and also in the Peterkort buildings nearby, and I'm planning to stay at the same level of practice for the coming 5 years. My colleagues have helped me get away enough to visit the kids and grandkids (3rd coming in January) in NY. Dr Lam and Julia Jones both have a growing interest in the practice of menopause medicine, and I've continued to pursue the science of longevity, which along with AI is just blowing up over the past few years with new research and applications. We've closed the practice for the moment to new clients, but hope to reopen in early 2027 - we have a LOT of requests on a near daily basis. Lastly- two of the elevators in our building (closed for the past YEAR) have reopened- hurray!
So, on to a few notes... |
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Immunizations
Lots of questions are coming out way regarding shots as the Covid and Flu seasons ramp up. Bottom line- immunizations for Influenza, Covid and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) are meant to protect those of you who would be most vulnerable to these respiratory viruses. Definitely all over 75, and for those 50-75 with conditions that put you at higher risk for severe (or even life threatening) disease- this includes those with diabetes, significant heart or lung disease, low immunity either from conditions or acquired from medications, etc. RSV is usually given just once, not every year. Flu and Covid should be repeated at least yearly (you can now also get Covid boosters in the Spring), and yes I'm still strongly in favor of the vaccines made with mRNA technology. We have FLU shots in the office, you'll need to get RSV or Covid in the pharmacy. |
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| Insurance Updates
As many of you have heard, there will be a significant changes to the insurance landscape during open enrollment season this fall with the closing of Providence Health Plan. We wanted to provide a little bit of information about the insurance companies we are contracted with:
Aetna (commercial and Medicare)
Bridgespan (commercial)
Cigna (commercial)
First Health (commercial)
Healthcare Management Administrators (commercial)
HealthSpring (Medicare)
HealthNet/Centene (commercial and Medicare)
Humana (commercial and Medicare)
Medicare
Moda (commercial)
Regence (commercial and Medicare)
Trillium (commercial)
UnitedHealthcare (commercial and Medicare
While we are contracted with all the insurance companies above, please review the individual plans the companies offer since we are not contracted with every subplan the companies offer (especially for the commercial insurance plans).
Also PLEASE review whether the specific insurance plan you are considering contracts with your specialists and allows the prescriptions you are taking.
Especially for the Medicare-age patients who are currently under Providence Health Plan, please make sure to review this carefully since Regence and Aetna plans are generally not contracted with Providence Medical Group clinics. Also, The Oregon Clinic since the beginning of 2026 is no longer contracted with United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans.
One option for Medicare age patients who are currently enrolled in a Medicare Replacement (Advantage or HMO) plan is to consider going back to traditional Medicare as your primary insurance (and get supplemental plans D and G/N for prescriptions and supplemental coverage to your Medicare part B coverage). Traditional Medicare would not have the network restrictions that Medicare Advantage plans have, and most clinics around the area do accept Medicare so you would not have to worry about needing to re-establish with a new specialist. We are sadly well aware of how confusing all of these changes in the industry have made things for you.
Please contact our office with any further questions or concerns! |
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| Grail Gallery Testing
Some of you have already done Gallery testing, which allows you to screen for dozens of cancers with a single tube of blood through Quest labs. Apologies for the late notice, but the company is offering screening, if blood is drawn by October 2nd, at $599 (previously $799 to $999). More information is available below- and if you decide to do this at the reduced price give us a call right away so we can put in the order. |
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