PDX Monthly has named Dr. David Westerdahl one of Portland’s Top Sports Medicine Doctors for 2024

Dr. Westerdahl is proud to be presenting and teaching medical providers on ultrasound guided procedures at the 2024 Musculoskeletal Galaxy Conference in Portland, Oregon

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FAQs


 

FAQ Categories

 

Before Your Visit

At Sports Health Northwest, we believe that preparation is the best strategy for success and your visit is no different. Your experience is a top priority for our team.

If you are a new patient, please take a few minutes to log in to our portal and complete your New patient forms online. This is easy and saves time at check in. 

We will provide you a reminder notification regarding your upcoming visit. Please expect either a text, email and/or a voicemail from Sports Health Northwest. Please See Arrival information below.

 

Arrival Information

Patients are expected to make the required payment (either co-payment, co-insurance or the entire procedure) at the time of check-in. Please bring your insurance card and a government issued form of identification.

Due to Covid 19 precautions, please notify our office if you are feeling ill or have been recently been exposed to someone who is Covid 19 positive. Please wear a mask and expect to answer a few screening questions upon arrival. We ask that only the patient enter the office and other family members wait in the vehicle. The exception to this is for minors as parent(s) are welcome to accompany minors.

Why do I need to check in so early?

We are aware that checking in early for your appointment is not always ideal and we appreciate your patience. There are many steps in the registration process and arriving early for your appointment helps us stay on time as we try to process and verify information and be as thorough as possible. 

How much does regenerative treatment cost?

The price varies depending on the material we inject (such as cellular treatments or PRP), the number of locations injected, and the target tissue that’s injected.

We are dedicated to providing financial transparency. Before any therapies are prescribed or treatment initiated, we clearly lay out the costs for you. Bundling treatments can be more efficient. For example, doing both knees the same day costs less than doing one at a time.

 

During Your Visit

Our team members are dedicated to communication and caring throughout your experience with the clinic. During each interaction, Sports Health Northwest team members strive to set clear expectations and make sure patients are informed about what we will be doing and actions they may need to take. Compassion and competency are the foundation of our team member’s professional standard.

 

How do you determine the number of treatments I have to do?

The number of treatments may vary. For example, for a torn ligament or tendon, or a rotator cuff injury, you may need one to two treatments; for knee arthritis, it is usually one to three treatments. If your issue starts to come back, then we may retreat you to re-start or continue the healing process. Somes chronic degenerative processes may require lifelong therapy, with injections every so often. On the other hand, many patients will see continuous improvement. Sometimes patients get to zero pain, and sometimes they don’t.

Is there a limit to how many locations you can treat in one session?

Yes. It is important to allow your body to heal after each treatment. Treating too many areas at one time may overload the body’s ability to heal.

How much does regenerative treatment cost?

The cost depends on many factors and ranges from $750 for the most basic PRP injection in a single site to several thousand dollars for complex bone marrow aspirate injections. The price varies depending on the material we inject (such as cellular treatments or PRP), the number of locations injected, and the target tissue that’s injected.

Before any therapies are prescribed or treatment initiated, we want to carefully explain the costs for you. Bundling treatments can be more efficient. For example, doing both knees the same day costs less than doing one at a time.

 

After Your Visit

 

Why do I need a driver for certain procedures if I'm not getting sedation?

We want to make sure of your safety and the safety of others on the road. Your ability to drive might be affected by placement of a cast or brace, and certain injections may cause transient changes to local nerve sensation and if an injection is painful, that may be distracting. We don’t take safe driving lightly.

Why is the follow up scheduled 4 to 6 weeks out? Isn't that too long?

We find it works best to sync our treatment with how your body responds. Most often, we do an injection and then wait 6-8 weeks to see how it works. On your follow-up visit, a 25-30% improvement tells us we’re on the right track.

How many days will I need to take off work?

Your time off depends on where the treatment is directed, whether it’s cellular or PRP, and of course the nature of your work.

When can I start walking/exercising again?

That will depend on your procedure and the state of your overall health. Please consult with your provider at the time of your injection and again at your follow up visit.

What medications can I take over the next day or week or month?

Please be sure to speak to your provider after your procedure. You will leave with specific instructions that must be followed. For example, over the counter pain relievers may impair your healing. It may seem counterintuitive, but inflammation HELPS the healing process.

 

Billing FAQs

 

Who can I call with billing questions?

Please call 503-747-6376 to speak with our billing department

How much will I owe for my visit?

For office visits, the patient responsibility is usually your Co-Pay and depends on your specific insurance Co-Pay amount. However, some insurance plans are applying office visits to patient deductibles. It is always best to check and verify your responsibility with your insurance plan. Procedures are generally co-insurance and applied to your deductible.

What is a deductible?

A deductible is the amount that each patient must pay out of pocket each calendar year prior to the insurance provider paying for treatment.

What is co-insurance?

Co-Insurance is based on each patient’s individual insurance plan. This is the amount that is the patient responsibility based on an allowed amount, after your deductible has been met for the calendar year. For instance; a common co-insurance plan is 80/20. The insurance will pay 80% of the allowable and the Patient is responsible for 20%.

What is a co-pay?

A co-pay is the designated amount that a each patient pays for an office visit. This can vary between Primary Care and Specialists.

What is an allowable?

An allowable is the contracted amount that the practice has agreed to accept from insurance and the patient, with the understanding that the difference between the amount and the amount charged will be written off.

Does Sports Health Northwest accept patient payment plans?

In some circumstances our clinic will allow a patient to make payments. However, if a payment is missed, the plan is cancelled and full payment will be expected.

What are my payment options?

We accept cash, checks and all major credit cards. Payments can be made in person, sent via mail, phone, or through our secure patient portal.

What if my insurance does not cover the procedure?

We will help to determine your benefits but it is the patient’s responsibility to understand and verify insurance coverage. Patients are responsible for any balance on the account. Insurance may or may not cover all procedures.

How long do I have to pay my bill?

Within 30 days from receipt of the bill.

What happens if I don't pay my bill?

Patients are submitted to collections after 30 days of non-payment.

If I'm paying out of pocket, is there a guarantee?

Your success is incredibly important to us. We’re happiest when you’re happy. Unfortunately, we cannot offer any guarantees. We do everything we can, using the best-available treatments, to produce the best-possible outcomes. We educate and equip you with whatever it takes to ensure that you heal. The source of your payment does not does not influence our commitment to helping you.

 

General FAQs

 

Do I call Sports Health Northwest when I need a prescription refill?

If it is a prescription ordered by Sports Health Northwest, you may contact our office by phone or message us through our portal to request a refill. Another option is to contact the pharmacy that filled the prescription and they can contact us for verification.

Who calls me to schedule my MRI?

MRI’s commonly require an authorization from your insurance provider. Some insurance plans require a pre-authorization number to proceed. A Sports Health Northwest team member will work with your preferred and in-network imaging facility to obtain the insurance authorization and keep you informed about its approval and scheduling. At that time, it is your responsibility to schedule the MRI. Once the MRI is scheduled please contact Sports Health Northwest to schedule a follow-up appointment in person or via telehealth to review the MRI results.

Will you contact me after my procedure when I need to schedule my follow up visit?

The follow-up visit should be scheduled at the time of the procedure or when the procedure is scheduled. 

Do I need to sign a release to forward my records to another medical provider?

No. The law permits providers who are involved in specific care to exchange your medical records.

How do I get a procedure?

Sports Health Northwest: This question has two parts: 1) Sports Health Northwest performs diagnostic procedures when ordered by medical specialists: Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Neurology, Rheumatology, etc. 2) A Sports Health Northwest physician will order a procedure based on an in-depth review of history, physical exam/provocative testing, advanced diagnostic imaging (MRI, Ultrasound, CT) and interpretation of the imaging. The correlation of history, physical exam, advanced diagnostic testing and interpretation will guide our providers to the most effective procedures and outcomes.

Does Sports Health Northwest offer pain medication management?

The goal of Sports Health Northwest is identifying and resolving the root causes of your pain. Currently, we do not treat pain with opioid or narcotic management. This requires a complex process, which should always involve a mental health specialist and proper controls. We offer alternatives forms of pain management.

Location

Sports Health Northwest, Inc
12672 NW Barnes RD, STE 100
Portland, OR 97229
Phone: 503-747-6376
Fax: 503-530-8406

Office Hours

Get in touch

503-747-6376