Nothing signals the change of seasons like a mailbox full of ‘back to school’ advertisements. When it’s time to dust off backpacks and binders, don’t forget to schedule doctor’s visits for your kids, your loved ones, and yourself. At Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC), skilled physicians see patients for a range of outpatient surgical needs. They handle all manner of podiatry, orthopedic, urology, gastroenterology, and general surgery issues for patients from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Don’t postpone a procedure that might help you—or your student—dive fully into the new season. We know that for active kids who play sports, mandatory physicals are part-and-parcel of your late summer schedule. But everyone can benefit from taking a step back and looking for […]

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The insurance market can feel like too much of a good thing. There are options galore but choosing the right one for your budget, family, and specific needs is often confusing. More than 100 years ago, writer and wit Ambrose Bierce called insurance “an ingenious modern game of chance,” and that’s still true today. In Washington State, census data shows that 49% of residents receive insurance through their employer, echoing the American national average. The next 44% fall into Medicaid, Medicare, other (military or Veterans Administration), and uninsured categories. That leaves 7%, approximately 500,000 people, who purchase coverage outside of work, whether individually or with fellow employees or associates. Counter-intuitive as it may seem, sometimes it’s cheaper to keep the policy ID […]

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We all know the benefits of saving for a rainy day. But what if, despite years of planning and organization, you find yourself with a gap in your insurance? If this is the case, don’t postpone much-needed outpatient surgery. There are options galore at clinics like Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC). Insurance gaps can arise at all ages, states of employment, and for a number of reasons. Younger people can stay on their parent’s plan until the age of 26 but may not find full-time, fully-insured work right away. For American’s taking a chance on the rising ‘gig economy,’ acting as a delivery service or on-call driver, it may be difficult to establish a regular monthly income. This can make budgeting for […]

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Insurance plans often come with a variety of incomprehensible initials, rules, fee schedules, and red tape. HMO versus PPO, fully- or self-insured, employer-funded or health savings account…it’s like learning a new language. Add that to doctor-speak medical jargon and facing an injury or surgery is doubly daunting. But it doesn’t have to be that way. More and more providers, clinics, and outpatient surgery centers are dedicating themselves to up-front transparency pricing. That way all fees are delineated beforehand and costs are kept low. Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC) can meet all your general surgery, urology, orthopedic, podiatry, and gastroenterology needs whether you choose to pay cash or bill the insurance company. PSC’s Transparency Pricing Marketing Coordinator Melodie Wilson has worked […]

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More Americans have medical insurance than ever before. With increased coverage, it can seem counterintuitive to NOT use it for an upcoming outpatient surgical procedure. But as with any major purchase, shopping around can save you money. Medical billing is both complicated and confusing. A simple operation can involve fees for the physician, nurses, anesthesiologist, operating room, medication, recovery room, pre- and post-operative lab testing, and devices like implanted plates and screws or casts, crutches, and slings. Melodie Wilson, Transparency Pricing Marketing Coordinator at Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center, illustrates how their up-front pricing simplifies the process. At PSC, costs are clearly posted and include all charges for the facility, physician, and anesthesiologist. “Some patients have very high deductible plans and […]

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They say good things come to those who wait. But when dealing with ongoing pain from injury or health issues, long waits can be more than just an annoyance. Sometimes waiting too long means physical and mental stress, decreased job performance, and unexpected medical complications. Our Canadian neighbors have access to world-renowned health care. But their medical system often requires extensive waits for service, especially for those surgeries not officially sanctioned as ‘priority procedures.’ More and more Canadians are choosing to visit American clinics like Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC) for comprehensive outpatient care of their orthopedic, urology, gastroenterology, podiatry, and general surgery needs. At PSC, patients can complete lab work, physician consultation, surgical treatment, and follow-up care with up-front transparency pricing. All costs are […]

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When Ben Franklin said, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ he probably wasn’t thinking of 21st-century medical insurance. We maintain coverage in case of catastrophic illness or injury, but sometimes the best care can be found by shopping around. If Franklin’s ounce of prevention (sports, exercise, or outdoor activities) result in injuries best served at an outpatient surgery center, Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC) can help. Their physicians quickly and professionally address an array of orthopedic, urology, gastroenterology, podiatry, and general surgery needs. But why not just use regular insurance at your neighborhood hospital? What’s the benefit of transparency pricing, outpatient surgery, and comparing fine print? Transparency is becoming the norm in many healthcare circles.At the Robert Wood […]

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Life is all about repetition. Our day consists of chores, routines, work, and play that take a toll as the years go by. Add in outdoor activities, computer keyboards, and portable devices and our poor hands don’t stand a chance. Thankfully Pacific Surgical Center’s (PSC) Dr. AJ Lauder is here to help. He is a Board-Certified Orthopedist who focuses on wrist, hand, and elbow surgery in all its forms. Dr. Lauder has been a surgeon for the past 12 years, 8 of those with PSC. Dr. Lauder completed his medical school and residency programs in 2005 but went on to a hand surgery fellowship at the University of Washington. He now specializes in fractures and reconstruction of the hand, wrist, and elbow. […]

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When a machine runs smoothly, we almost forget it’s there. The same is true of our body’s often overworked joints. Whether through aging or sports injury, our knees take the brunt of physical movement and everyday wear-and-tear. Five of the top seven sports injuries are leg-related and many arise from repetitive movement. Even if your activity is limited to walking—chasing a golf ball, window shopping, or wrangling the dog’s daily exercise—our knees can cause problems as we age. At Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC), orthopedists offer “advanced, minimally invasive treatment for most musculoskeletal (bone, muscle, joint, cartilage, ligament, etc.) disorders or injuries. Each doctor is highly trained and experienced and uses the latest surgical technologies across all orthopedic specialties.” Furthermore “At PSC, […]

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Our bodies are complex machines. And like most machinery, we don’t always know why things break…until they do. Whether athlete or accident victim, constantly moving or preferring a quiet life, the day will come when your knees, shoulders, and creaky joints need attention. At Longview’s Pacific Surgical Center (PSC), Dr. Tony Lin is ready and willing to address any and all orthopedic needs. His extensive training, education, and experience are paired with a passion for transparency pricing and first-class patient support. Dr. Lin has traveled extensively but never lost focus. “I was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the United States at a young age. I grew up in California and was fortunate to travel to different parts of this […]

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