Grain Integrative Health

07/12/2025

Dear Patients and Oregon Citizens:

Providence has announced their decision to use American Specialty Health (ASH) as a go-between for integrative naturopathic doctors and patients beginning 9/1/25. Unfortunately we will not be able to continue providing in-network care to Providence patients if this moves forward.

ASH is notorious for limiting patient access to visits by requiring Prior Authorizations to be filed PRIOR TO EVERY VISIT with reduced doctor payments as low as $45/visit when with inflation since the pandemic, the staffing time to acquire a PA can reasonably cost $30+/PA in staffing costs. This does not include the cost to staff scheduling, checking benefits prior to visits, real estate and medical supplies, billing costs, physican salary costs. We won't bore you, but you understand how unsustainable this immediately becomes.

This is a reimbursement rate that requires our providers to work for free, not even covering the overhead for a single visit.

Why should you care?
It limits your access to providers with experience, generally. If you have Providence insurance you will no longer have access to any integrative health providers (chiropractic, naturopathic, acupuncture, and massage) on a reasonable timeline. Many of your providers will likely drop Providence panels. GIH doctors will be forced to eliminate our participation in Providence panels.

It's unethical middle management at a time where patients will be forced to find a new P*P when waitlists are well over 12 months long in Oregon.

What You Can Do?
If you have Providence insurance, your voice matters MORE than ours. Insurance companies listen to members. Consider calling Providence directly to express that these changes create unreasonable barriers to your ability to access timely primary care.

This is an email that Providence has provided: PHPAppealsAndGrievances@providence.org

You may also submit a complaint to the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (ODFR). This is the body that regulates insurance in Oregon and your access to care is being restricted.
https://sbs.naic.org/solar-web/pages/public/onlineComplaintForm/onlineComplaintForm.jsf?state=or

Sign the petition below!

Donate to the Oregon Association of Naturopathic Doctprs who politically advocates for appropriate patient and provider access legislation:

https://www.oanp.org/donations/donate.asp?id=4505

There is a dangerous trend we must stop. You deserve access to good primary healthcare in Oregon.

Providence Health Plan: Don’t Let ASH Block Our Access to Care

02/20/2025

Reading is healthy!

One retired teacher is spreading the joy of books using his tiny mobile library.

02/11/2025

This is a crisis for Oregon healthcare, (regardless of your personal politics).

Our clinic serves a large portion of the Medicaid population in SE Portland and the Gorge. Our clinic and other clinics don't have the margins to expand into when payments are delayed weeks or months. Please support your local healthcare providers and the citizens of Oregon. This impacts the most medically fragile patient population fantastically.

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden address significant delays in federal funding for community health centers.

07/10/2024

We have a new provider! He is a licensed acupuncturist and also practices Alexander Technique. We are proud to bring you a team of accomplished providers who are educators and leaders in their field. Jameson has relocated to the PNW from Austin, TX to join the Grain family. This week he is leading within his community by presenting at the Alexander Technique Annual Conference on "AT Physicality Related to Emotions."

He has a special interest in mental health, pediatrics and,of course, sees a whole age spectrum of patients. He's been very popular since he joined this month. Please join us in welcoming him to the community!

06/26/2024

Our phone lines are down right now, we apologize for the inconvenience. We are open.

Update: our phones are working again. We are closed for lunch from 1-2pm. Thank you for your patience.

02/17/2024

Did your family earn less than $30,000 last year? Even if you had no earnings last year, you can still claim the credit.

01/18/2024

For those who are struggling to access affordable food, or to leave their homes in this storm (or otherwise), this is a local company that will deliver to your home with $100 minimum. The prices are incredible. They have fresh produce, meats, and already made frozen foods. We are not affiliates.

01/18/2024

Did you have to throw away food you purchased using your SNAP benefits due to a power outage or other damage from winter storms? You may ...

01/13/2024

Warming centers are opening up around Oregon to help keep you safe during winter weather. If you need help staying warm, call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.211info.org/winter-and-severe-weather-shelters/ to find a center near you.

If you need help finding transportation to shelter, call 211info to talk through your options.

01/13/2024

To our homeless community, we recommend you seek shelter through this freezing storm. Trimet fare is free to warming shelters as long as they are kept open. No one will be turned away. If you are able to donate used or new waterproof footwear, -20 degree or colder sleeping bags, or winter coats please contact the resources listed in this article or look up drop off times on their websites.

Dangerous wind chills will make this storm particularly dangerous for people living on the streets. Even in Portland, those wind chills will drop below zero.