UW Medicine surveyed UW employees and faculty to learn more about their perceptions of the healthcare provided by our health system. The Q & A below addresses some of the most common concerns.
Q: As an employee, can I be assured that my records are private?
A: UW Medicine takes its responsibility to protect patient information very seriously. We have strict policies that limit the use and disclosure of your medical information, and we require all workforce members to be trained on the principles of privacy protection. In order to safeguard your privacy, we routinely monitor and audit record access to assure compliance.
Q: What if I’m seen at one of your facilities and need additional care?
A: UW Medicine patients have the benefit of receiving care at eight (and soon to be nine) neighborhood clinics. If needed, they are referred to more specialized care at one of our medical centers. UW Medicine is one of the partners of
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) along with
Seattle Children’s and the
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. In fact, all adult SCCA inpatient encounters are at UW Medical Center; children are treated at Seattle Children’s.
Q: Will I be seen by real doctors or doctors in training?
A: UW Medicine is proud to be an academic health system, training the next generation of physicians and health professionals. You will always be seen by a fully-licensed physician. In all our medical centers, physicians are available 24/7. For many people, there is peace of mind knowing that their care will be reviewed not only by an attending physician but also by a fully-licensed resident and colleagues from other specialties.
Q: It is important for me to have easy access into the system. Can you assist me if I am not sure where to go?
A: Yes, we offer a special telephone number for staff. Please call 206.520.5050 to schedule an appointment or inquire about services. You can also e-mail
navigate@uw.edu.
Q: What about billing?
A: In August 2010, UW Medicine implemented a new patient billing system. This system provides statements that are timely and easy to read. Feedback from our patients has been very positive!
Q: What kind of insurance does UW Medicine accept?
A: UW Medicine accepts most major insurances. For UW employees, Uniform Medical is the insurance plan option that includes UW Medicine physicians on its roster of preferred physicians.
Q: What about Employee Health Services? Can they provide us with care?
A: Staffed primarily by registered nurses, Employee Health Services provide work-related preventive services, occupationally related vaccinations, screenings for TB, and consultations to employees that may become sick or injured on the job. Employee Health Services ensure a safe work environment, but should not be a substitute for seeking care from a physician or other healthcare professional outside of the workplace.