Administrative
1. Would you recommend a physician to me?
To find a local physician, Valley Hospital provides a free
physician referral line at 746-8788 or click
here to access VHA's on-line physician referral resource.
The main line for Valley Hospital Medical Center at 352-2800
also gives a recorded message of all doctors in the building.
2. Where can I pay my Valley Hospital bill?
Payments can be made in various locations throughout the Valley
Hospital system:
- At
Valley Hospital in Palmer,
- At any registration (admission) station between 8
a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- In the Emergency Room registration station after hours
(4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.)
- In the drop box in the Emergency Room waiting area.
- At
Valley Hospital Medical Center in Wasilla,
-
At any registration (admission) station in AIC Urgent
Care from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- At any registration station or in the Patient Accounts
office in the Outpatient Center on the lower level from
8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m,
- In a drop box next to MydoKtor's Pharmacy (across
from AIC Urgent Care).
- In
the McKinley Building,
3035 Palmer-Wasilla Highway, suite 301 between 8 a.m.
and 5 p.m.
3. Do I use the new Outpatient Center entrance on the
lower level of Valley Hospital Medical Center for urgent care?
No, if you require urgent care (need same day service but
do not have a condition that is life or limb-threatening),
come in at the upper level entrance on Bogard Rd., and proceed
to AIC Urgent Care, which is on the left. If this is an emergency
and may be life-threatening (such as chest pains), please
call 911 or go directly to the ER at Valley Hospital in Palmer.
4. Where do I pick up and drop off a job application
and see a list of job openings?
Job Boards are located at all three campuses:
- At
Valley Hospital Medical Center in Wasilla, on the lower
level by the middle stairway
- At
Valley Hospital in Palmer, in the Medical/Surgical unit
and in the hallway past the fireplace
- At
3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. (the building with the blue
roof), inside the entry on the left
Completed applications can be dropped off in the Human Resources
department at 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway in Wasilla or
in suite 218 of Valley Hospital Medical Center in Wasilla.
You may also mail completed applications to the following
address:
Valley Hospital Human Resources Department
P.O. Box 1687
Palmer, AK 99645
5. Which physician offices accept Alaska Native Medical
Center insurance patients?
In the Valley, the Family Health Center accepts Alaska Native
Medical Center insurance patients. The Family Health Center
has offices in Palmer at 425 E. Dahlia, #L (745-1777) and
in Wasilla at suite 212 of the Valley Hospital Medical Center
(357-7771).
Admissions
1. Does Valley Hospital "pre-certify" surgical procedures
and inpatient stays?
Valley Hospital calls insurance companies for pre-certifications
as a courtesy to our patients. Ultimately, however, these
pre-certifications are the responsibility of the patient.
If your insurance carrier requires prior authorization for
treatment, please obtain written approval before your admission.
Admission personnel will ask you to sign an authorization
form. This form provides consent to treat and authorizes release
of billing data and assignment of benefits to VHA.
2. Can I pre-register by phone for my OB delivery?
Yes, patients are encouraged to call and pre-register by phone
for their upcoming OB stay. To pre-register by phone, call
746-8600 and ask for an admitting representative to assist
you in pre-registering for your delivery.
3. What are the visiting hours?
Visiting hours are daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. All visitors,
including children, will be expected to dress appropriately,
including shirts and shoes.
4. Are children allowed to visit patients in the hospital?
Yes, children accompanied by an adult are allowed to visit
patients. Children are not allowed on patient floors unless
supervised by an adult. Children must by 12 years of age to
visit in the Intensive Care Unit. Please ask for childcare
assistance from a volunteer if available.
5. What are the hours for the Espresso and Gift Shop?
Volunteers staff both of these businesses and donate the proceeds
to Hospice of Mat-Su. Because volunteers staff these enterprises,
the hours vary. The Espresso stand usually opens from 7 a.m.
to 10 a.m. seven days a week with variable hours after that.
The Gift Shop is generally open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with variable
hours after that.
6. Where can I pay my Valley Hospital bill?
Payments can be made in various locations throughout the Valley
Hospital system:
- At
Valley Hospital in Palmer,
- At any registration (admission) station between 8
a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- In the Emergency Room registration station after hours
(4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.)
- In the drop box in the main lobby.
- At
Valley Hospital Medical Center in Wasilla,
- At any registration (admission) station in AIC Urgent
Care from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- At any registration station or in the Patient Accounts
office in the Outpatient Center on the lower level from
8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m,
- In a drop box next to MydoKtor's Pharmacy (across
from AIC Urgent Care).
- In
the McKinley Building, 3035 Palmer-Wasilla Highway, suite
301 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
7.
Does Valley Hospital bill insurance?
Yes, Valley Hospital will bill your insurance. We do request
that any applicable deductible or coinsurance payments be
made at the time of service.
8. Can I pay my Mat-Su Radiology bill and/or my Mat-Su
Emergency Physician bill or my Anesthesia Care Associates
bill here at VH?
No, these are bills from separate private physician offices.
For Anesthsia Care Associates, call 746-2023 or mail this
bill to P.O. Box 4205, Palmer, AK 99645.
For Mat-Su Emergency Medicine, call Valley Physician Support
Services at 352-2872 or mail to 3035 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy,
suite 301, Wasilla, AK 99654.
For Mat-Su Radiology, call 745-5731 or mail this bill to P.O.
Box 600, Palmer, AK 99645.
Back To Top
Billing
1. Where can I pay my Valley Hospital bill?
Payments can be made in various locations throughout the Valley
Hospital system:
- At
Valley Hospital in Palmer,
- At any registration (admission) station between 8
a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- In the Emergency Room registration station after hours
(4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.)
- In the drop box in the main lobby.
- At
Valley Hospital Medical Center in Wasilla,
- At any registration (admission) station in AIC Urgent
Care from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- At any registration station or in the Patient Accounts
office in the Outpatient Center on the lower level from
8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m,
- In a drop box next to MydoKtor's Pharmacy (across
from AIC Urgent Care).
- In
the McKinley Building, 3035 Palmer-Wasilla Highway, suite
301 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
2. Does Valley Hospital bill insurance?
Yes, Valley Hospital will bill your insurance. We do request
that any applicable deductible or coinsurance payments be
made at the time of service.
3. Can I pay my Mat-Su Radiology bill and/or my Mat-Su
Emergency Physician bill or my Anesthesia Care Associates
bill here at VH?
No, these are bills from separate private physician offices.
For Anesthsia Care Associates, call 746-2023 or mail this
bill to P.O. Box 4205, Palmer, AK 99645.
For Mat-Su Emergency Medicine, call Valley Physician Support
Services at 352-2872 or mail to 3035 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy,
suite 301, Wasilla, AK 99654.
For Mat-Su Radiology, call 745-5731 or mail this bill to P.O.
Box 600, Palmer, AK 99645.
Back
To Top
Customer Service
Concerns
1. What process should patients and families use when
they have a complaint or concern about quality, customer service,
etc.?
First, if possible and you feel comfortable, please convey
your complaint or concern to the caregiver or to the manager
of that specific department where the complaint originated.
If this is not possible or not satisfactory, please go to
the Quality Risk Management (QRM) office, located in Valley
Hospital in Palmer. QRM can be reached by phone at 746-8670.
We will gladly document your complaint by phone or in writing.
Send written concerns/complaints to QRM, Valley Hospital,
P.O. Box 1687, Palmer, AK 99645.
2. Why is it important for me to complete the Customer
Satisfaction Survey that I receive in the mail?
We greatly appreciate your feedback. It allows us to take
a fresh look at ourselves from our customer's point of view
and to make important changes to continually improve our quality
of care and our service. We need your assistance to do this
and thank you for the time you take to communicate your concerns.
If you have an immediate concern, you may notify a manager
or supervisor in your care area or speak to a Quality Management
representative at 746-8670.
3. What are my rights?
Alaska State law provides that you have patient rights, which
include the right to privacy, the right to confidentiality,
and the right to information about your medical condition.
At Valley Hospital, you have the right to full participation
in medical decisions that affect you, including the right
to refuse any medical treatment you do not desire.
You also have the right to provide us with a written record
of your wishes to be used if you become unable to make decisions.
This record of your wishes is called an "Advance Directive."
You are not required to have or make Advance Directives in
order to receive care at Valley Hospital. A full listing of
patient rights can be found posted in admitting areas of Valley
Hospital and in the Patient Admission Information brochure,
available by calling 746-8600.
4. How do I get a copy of my Medical Record?
The Medical Records Department is responsible for the maintenance
and storage of the final copy of the medical record of any
care you received within Valley Hospital. As a patient, you
may need to obtain a copy of this record for yourself or to
be sent to a referring physician or facility. To obtain a
copy of your record or to release a copy to another provider,
send us a letter, signed and dated, that details which records
you need released and to whom they should be sent.
You can drop this letter off in the Medical Records Department
at Valley Hospital, fax to 746-8611, or mail to Medical Records,
Valley Hospital, P.O. Box 1687, Palmer, AK 99645. We would
like to receive this written authorization for the release
of your record at least 48 hours in advance of your need.
To receive an Authorization to Disclose Medical Records form
(to be used in lieu of a letter) or to receive additional
information, call Medical Records at 746-8607.
Back
To Top
Human Resources
1. Where do I pick up and drop off a job application
and see a list of job openings?
Job Boards are located at all three campuses:
- At
Valley Hospital Medical Center in Wasilla, on the lower
level by the middle stairway
- At
Valley Hospital in Palmer, in the Medical/Surgical unit
and in the hallway past the fireplace
- At
3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. (the building with the blue
roof), inside the entry on the left
Completed
applications can be dropped off in the Human Resources department
at 3051 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway in Wasilla or in suite 218
of Valley Hospital Medical Center in Wasilla. You may also
mail completed applications to the following address:
Valley Hospital Human Resources Department
P.O. Box 1687
Palmer, AK 99645
Back
To Top
Laboratory
1. What is "fasting?"
When a procedure requires you to fast, it means that you should
not take in any calories, whether food or drink. You may drink
water and take your medications only. NOTE: "Fasting" is not
the same as "NPO" (nothing by mouth).
2. What tests require fasting?
The following tests require fasting:
Lipid panel (cholesterol)
Fasting Glucose (blood sugar)
Glucose Tolerance Tests
Iron Measurement
Iron Binding Capacity Test
Cortisol Test.
3. What turn-around-time should I expect for my testing?
Testing performed and analyzed at VHA Laboratories will be
done within the shift, with the exception of Glycohemoglobins,
which are completed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings.
Some lab specimens must be sent to specialized labs, which
can take several days to release the results.
4. When and how do the reports go to my doctor?
Reports are either auto-faxed to your physician within the
shift, or, delivered by courier on the next courier run, which
occurs three times daily.
Back
To Top
Rehabilitation
1. Do we need a Doctor's order?
Yes, a doctor's order is necessary to commence rehabilitation
services.
2. How long do the visits take?
Evaluations typically last one hour, while recurring visits
are usually 30-60 minutes in length, depending on the type
of therapy being performed.
3. Do you bill insurance?
Yes, Valley Hospital bills insurance for all services and
procedures, except for elective procedures that are not covered
by insurance.
4. Do you accept Medicare and Medicaid?
Yes, Valley Hospital accepts and bills Medicare and Medicaid.
Back To Top
Volunteering
1. What is the youngest age someone can volunteer?
Our community, espresso and gift shop volunteers may be as
young as 15 years. All other services require a minimum age
of 18.
2. I want clinical job experience--may I volunteer to
obtain it?
Valley Hospital volunteers perform no clinical tasks in the
course of volunteering. We ask that all prospective volunteers
pursue membership because of their commitment to the volunteer
experience.
3. I need to do court-mandated community service, may
I perform it at Valley Hospital?
Much time and many resources are expended on training and
supervising volunteers and many of the tasks they perform
are delicate in nature. For these reasons, Valley Hospital
is most interested in individuals who volunteer in order to
positively impact the lives of others, not because of a court
order.
4. Do I need previous experience as a volunteer or in
a hospital to qualify for the program?
No! If you have a desire to help others and a willingness
to learn, we encourage you to pursue membership. We will provide
you with all the training you will need for the task you will
perform.
5. How do I place my crafts in the hospital gift shop
for sale?
Due to the time intensive nature of consignment, only hospital
volunteers and staff are able to consign. Other individuals
may make an appointment with the manager to discuss possible
purchase. The manager has discretion whether to purchase your
items at a wholesale price.
6. How many hours must I work?
For most of our positions we request 60 hours per year for
active membership. Many volunteers work regular shifts each
week; others work when they have time. Some volunteers work
steadily throughout the year, while others take summer or
winter months off. As long as you work often enough to maintain
an effective knowledge of your tasks and our operations, we
welcome you to choose a format that fits your schedule.
Back
To Top
|
|
