Frequently Asked Questions

How should I establish myself as a patient of the new clinic?

Patients may schedule appointments with Island Primary Care – Orcas by calling 360.293.3101

Please note: Patients will initially see an Island Hospital transition provider until they can establish care with a permanent Island Primary Care provider.

As Island Hospital builds the provider team, patients who are ill or who need to manage chronic conditions will be given priority. As such, Island Hospital will be limiting well visits and annual physicals to ensure patients with the greatest need receive priority.

Patients already established with Island Hospital may use the portal to request an appointment.

As an Orcas Island patient, how do I transfer my medical records to Island Health?

Patients who are currently patients of UW Medicine Primary Care or Orcas Family Health Center will be required to complete the Medical Records release form to transition their care to the new Island Primary Care – Orcas Clinic.

Please follow the instructions below:

Print the appropriate Authorization to Disclose/Obtain Protected Health Information (PHI) form.

Orcas Release of Information UW
Orcas Release of Information OFHC

Mail, email or fax the completed form to:

Island Health Medical Records Department
1211 24th Street
Anacortes, WA 98221
F: (360) 299-1347
E: records@islandhospital.org

Please allow up to two weeks for processing.

Have questions? We are here to help. Please call (360) 299-1326.

Why can’t I call the clinic directly?

Scheduling for all primary care clinics is centrally located on the Island Hospital campus. Orcas Island appointments are handled the same as all other primary care appointments in the Island Hospital network.

Utilizing a centralized scheduling team enables those who are working in the clinic to focus on patient care. Services such as scheduling that can be supported from the Island Hospital campus, allows our providers and staff to better meet the needs of patients when they’re in the clinic receiving care.

Let our scheduling experts assist you at 360.293.3101. Your call is important to us.

How can I set up my portal to see my records? How will I get access to the Island Health Portal?

The Island Hospital patient portal, called myIslandHealth, is a user-friendly online service that gives patients the resources to better manage their healthcare. A secure invitation link will be sent to the patient once an appointment is scheduled. If you’re already an Island Hospital patient and have questions about accessing the portal, please contact 360.299.1326.

What will I have access to the Island Hospital portal?

With myIslandHealth, patients have access to:

• Request appointments with their primary care provider
• Request prescription refills
• Review their personal health record
• Access lab results and diagnostic reports
• Securely message their healthcare team

If I need a prescription refill after the opening, yet before I’ve had an appointment, how will that work? Do I first need to see my provider, and/or only if I’ve chosen a new provider?

Beginning April 5, 2021, we encourage patients to contact the clinic with any prescription refill needs.

Does Island Health have an Open Notes policy so I can read the provider’s notes?

Our latest EMR update allows for Open Notes, and we are developing a system-wide adoption of this functionality.

How do I schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment on Orcas Island?

Orcas Island patients can go to the San Juan County Public Health website to schedule an appointment locally.

Please note that Orcas residents are welcome to schedule an appointment at Island Health for a vaccination; however, due to travel restraints, this may not be convenient. Our Orcas clinic team is collaborating with San Juan County Public Health to administer vaccines on the island.

If I change to a new provider, will I need to have a new patient visit?

A new patient visit will not be required if your last visit was less than three years ago and you were seen by a provider in the same specialty.

If I don’t get my care at one of the local clinics but need a blood draw or an x-ray how will that work?

Either you or your doctor’s office will be able to send the new clinic an order and we’ll set up a time for you to get your blood draw. We are working on the infrastructure and billing components required to provide courtesy X-ray. Stay tuned for updates on this service!

How do referrals work if I am currently seeking care from a UW Specialist? Will I have to be referred to specialists at Island Hospital?

Referrals decisions are made between the patient and their primary care provider. Insurance coverage may be a factor when selecting a specialist, but the patient ultimately decides which specialist to see.

What should I do if I have a medical problem after hours?  Will a provider be available to see me if needed?

Patients should call the clinic number, 360-293-3101, whether during or after clinic hours. If after-hours, the patient will be asked to provide relevant information. The on-call Island Hospital physician will return the call within 30 minutes to discuss the situation and provide advice on symptoms and conditions. If determined to be medically necessary, the Island Hospital physician will contact an Orcas Island provider to address urgent medical issues on the Island. This may result in an after-hours clinic visit or help in facilitating an appointment in the clinic the following day. The after-hours protocols ensure that those who cannot wait for treatment during standard hours of care have their critical medical needs promptly assessed.

If I choose to remain with my off-island provider as my PCP, and I end up needing urgent care while on Orcas, will I be able to go through the after-hours process and have the same options as a registered patient?

You will not be required to be a registered patient in order to access after-hours services in the same manner as someone who is a patient at the new clinic. With coordination of EMS, Island Hospital and local providers, acute after-hours care will be provided to minimize the need of transferring off island, when possible.

What insurance plans do you accept?

You may view the list of our most common accepted insurance plans here: https://islandhealth.org/billing-and-insurance/

What services are provided at the new clinic?

The following primary care services are offered at Island Primary Care – Orcas:

• Scheduled and same-day appointments
• Preventative care for adults and children
• Chronic condition management for adults and children
• Acute medical illness – including coordination of transportation for a higher level of care
• Acute and subacute injury management
• Laboratory services, including point-of-care testing and courtesy labs
• COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics
• Diagnostic testing – including EKG’s and X-ray services
• Immunizations for adults and children
• Prenatal support services