Abdelrahman
Expert responses are provided by professionals from the Oregon Health Authority, along with other state agencies and community partners. These interactions are shared with permission.
Q: I’m a 70-year-old man who has been a patient of Oregon Medical Group in Lane County for many years. Unfortunately, I lost my primary care doctor last year and have been unable to schedule my annual wellness check and lab tests. I’ve been told I would be assigned a new doctor, but it hasn’t happened yet. I know many others in our community are encountering the same issue due to the doctor shortage. Do you have any recommendations? I’m enrolled in Medicare with a United Healthcare Medigap plan. – Rich, Eugene
A: Rich, your experiences mirror those of many individuals facing changes at Oregon Medical Group. In Lane County, while there are limited primary care providers currently accepting new Medicare patients, we have identified a few potential solutions for you.
For immediate care, Zoomcare clinic in Springfield offers appointments within 24-48 hours, aligning with their service model for both primary and urgent care needs. You can reach them at 844-966-6777.
Additionally, several Lane County Community Health Centers provide services for Medicare members. While the wait for your initial appointment might range from one to two months, clinics accepting new patients include Delta Oaks, Brookside, and Charnelton in Eugene, alongside the Riverstone clinic in Springfield.
For long-term care, consider the Kaiser Permanente Chase Gardens facility in Eugene by calling 541-225-3410. Transitioning would necessitate the cancellation of your Medigap policy in favor of a Kaiser Senior Advantage plan, which can only be initiated during the annual open enrollment period starting on October 15, for coverage effective January 1, 2026. Be aware that this would require you to use Kaiser’s network for providers and pharmacies. For specialized services not offered at the Chase Gardens facility, Kaiser has partnerships with local organizations like PeaceHealth, minimizing the need to travel outside Lane County for your healthcare needs.
Keep in mind that if you switch from Medigap to an Advantage plan, you will have a 12-month trial period to revert back to the same Medigap plan if needed. After that period, switching back would no longer be possible. For additional insights on this option, we recommend contacting Oregon’s Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) team at 800-722-4134 for impartial guidance.
Anyone on Medicare can find nearby providers by calling 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) or using the online search tool by entering their zip code. Don’t forget to check out Oregon’s 2025 Guide to Medicare for more essential information.
Q: I noticed my pharmacy now offers a test kit for Influenza A and B. Are these the flu strains that are currently circulating? – Kathy, Roseburg
A: Yes, Influenza A and B are the two main strains that circulate each flu season among humans. This year, Influenza A has represented around 97% of the cases reported in the U.S. It spreads more rapidly and mutates more frequently than Influenza B, making it a more significant concern for potential pandemics. While there are other flu strains that do not impact human health, you can find more information about them here.
Regardless of which flu strain is detected through at-home testing, the symptoms and recommended treatments remain the same. It’s important to take care of yourself by resting, staying hydrated, and avoiding public exposure. Health care providers may prescribe antiviral medication such as oseltamivir (commonly known as Tamiflu). The Cleveland Clinic provides a thorough overview of Influenza A and B.
If you have health-related questions for the Oregon Health Authority, feel free to submit your inquiry here. While the agency may not be able to respond to every question, it aims to address those that are of interest to a wider audience. Please note that OHA cannot offer specific medical advice tailored to individual health conditions.
