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Asher Community Health Center (ACHC)
712 Jay Street ~ PO Box 307, Fossil, OR 97830
Phone:  541-763-2725          Fax: 541-763-2850          Se habla espanol para telephono.
Website: AsherHealth.org

To meet the wonderful Staff, click here: ACHC Staff

As the only Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Wheeler County, Asher CHC is pleased to provide both Medical and Dental services at all three of our County locations. We operate an outpatient primary care Medical and Dental clinic in Fossil 5-days a week with satellite clinics in Spray and Mitchell offering Medical services two days per week and Dental services on a rotating basis.  The Spray and Mitchell sites are each open 2-days per week for primary medical outpatient care: Wednesday and Friday in Spray, and Tuesday and Thursday in Mitchell.  Dental care hours are daily in Fossil, Mitchell once a month, and Spray twice a month.

In 2024, we took over management of the health center in Christmas Valley, Oregon (Lake County). It offers primary medical outpatient care 4 days a week, Monday through Thursday.

Call for available times and to make an appointment.

This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 U.S.C. 254b, and an FTCA deemed facility. This Health Center is a deemed Public Health Service (PHS) center, and receives Health & Human Services funding and has Federal PHS deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.   

This facility is a member of the National Health Services Corps: NHSC.hrsa.gov.

As a National Health Service Corps site, we promise to:

• Serve all patients
• Offer discounted fees for patients who qualify, based on family size and income
• Not deny services based on a person's: race, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, inability to pay, or the disease diagnosis
• Accept insurance, including: Medicaid, Medicare, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)  

We have a variety of services and many partners to assist you in your health care journey ~ Explore our website and learn what we have to offer!

Click to read Mission Statement

Click to read Privacy Policy

Good Faith Estimate:  You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost 

     Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. 

• You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.

• Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.

• If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.

• Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 888-877-4894  

GFE ~  Spanish: 

 Tiene derecho a recibir un “Estimado de buena fe” donde se explique cuánto le costará la atención médica. 

De acuerdo con la ley, los proveedores médicos deben darles a los pacientes que no tienen seguro o que no usan seguro un estimado de la factura por los servicios y artículos médicos. 

• Usted tiene derecho a recibir un Estimado de buena fe del costo total esperado de cualquier servicio o artículo que no sea de emergencia. Esto incluye los costos relacionados, como pruebas médicas, medicamentos recetados, equipo y tarifas de hospital.

• Asegúrese de que su proveedor médico le dé un Estimado de buena fe por escrito al menos 1 día hábil antes de recibir su servicio o artículo médico. También puede pedirle a su proveedor médico, y a cualquier otro proveedor que elija, un Estimado de buena fe antes de programar un artículo o servicio.

• Si recibe una factura de al menos $400 por encima de su Estimado de buena fe, puede disputar la factura.

• Asegúrese de guardar una copia o imagen de su Estimado de buena fe.

Si tiene preguntas o desea obtener más información sobre su derecho a recibir un Estimado de buena fe, visite www.cms.gov/nosurprises o llame al 888-877-4894.

CHOOSING A PROVIDER THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

Internal Medicine or Family Medicine?

What is Internal Medicine:

Internal medicine physicians use scientific knowledge and clinical expertise for the diagnosis, treatment and compassionate care of adults, ranging from preventive care to complex illness. Did you know that many nonsurgical specialists, such as cardiologists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists and rheumatologists, had to be trained as an internal medicine specialist before they could get their subspecialty training?  Because of this model, general internal medicine physicians are broadly trained in the management of disease affecting all organ systems. As such, Internal Medicine physicians are experts in complexity. They see EVERY connection in the adult human body. – This information reworded from the American College of Physicians website.

Asher Community Health Center in Wheeler County currently offers two types of providers for our patient population: Family Medicine Providers and an Internal Medicine Provider. But, what is the difference between the two?

According to Google Searches AI Response when asked, internal medicine vs family medicine:

Internal medicine and family medicine are both primary care medical specialties, but they have different approaches to patient care: 

Internal medicine

Focuses on adults, diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions affecting internal organs: 

• Conditions treated: Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, spinal column, nerves, muscles, and joints 
• Specialties: Gastroenterology, endocrinology, addiction medicine, cardiovascular disease, and more 
• Best for: Adults who need specialized attention for complex medical problems or chronic health conditions 

Family medicine

Focuses on patients of all ages, genders, and diseases: 

• Services provided: Preventive care, routine check-ups, vaccinations, management of chronic conditions, minor surgeries, and referrals to specialists 

For more on Internal Medicine check out the American College of Physicians website:(https://www.acponline.org/about-acp/about-internal-medicine/what-is-an-internal-medicine-physician-or-internist)

For more on Family Medicine check out the American Academy of Family Physicians website: (https://www.aafp.org/about/dive-into-family-medicine/family-medicine-speciality.html)

Which is RIGHT FOR YOU and YOUR FAMILY? The choice is yours.