We hope our frequently asked questions help you navigate a complicated healthcare system.
What are your hours of operation?
Please check our website home page at www.sunshineclinic.org for up-to-date hours of operation. We occasionally close for intermittent weather and training days. Follow our social media platforms or call for updates on closures.
Do you provide services in Wasilla?
To be sustainable for our communities we had to make the tough decision to close our Wasilla location. If you have specific questions about your care, you can contact our Wasilla Closure Hotline at 1-907-376-1313.
Do you provide after-hours care?
Our phone calls are transferred to an answering service outside of our hours of operation. Patients calling our organization will be prompted by the after-hours message on how to obtain the after-hours answering service. Patients should NOT use the patient portal or other electronic communication for urgent concerns. To comply with federal guidelines, our providers cannot respond in person to provide services after-hours. Providers can assess and advise patients after hours by phone only.
How do I become a patient?
To become a patient with Sunshine Community Health Center, simply call either of our clinic’s scheduling team members (Talkeetna: 907.733.2273 ex: 2320 or Willow: 907.495.4100 ex: 8320) and ask for an appointment. Our team will work within your schedule and preferences to get you established with one of our Providers. When calling for scheduling, please be ready to provide your full legal name, date of birth, contact, and insurance information.
What services do you offer?
Our services are outlined on our website.
Do you accept my insurance?
We are in network with Aetna, Blue Cross, Premera, Delta Dental, Alaska Medicaid & Denali Care, Medicare, Multi Plan Network, TriCare, United Health Care, and Veterans Community Care Network.
We will bill out any insurance you provide but it may be considered out of network. Unfortunately, we are unable to bill out-of-state Medicaid.
What if I don't have insurance?
Sunshine Clinic offers a Sliding Fee Scale for patients that are not covered under insurance. Patients can ask for an application at the Front Desk of either location, print the application off from our website, or ask to schedule an appointment with a Patient Advocate. In order to complete the Sliding Fee Scale application, our Advocates will need patients to provide proof of income which can include ...
Wages
Self-Employment
Social Security, Retirement/Pensions
Unemployment
Rental Income
All dividends including the AK PFD, Child Support, Spousal Support, Foster Care, Public Assistance, Longevity Bonus, Worker's Comp Benefits, Disability Benefits & Veteran's Benefits.
For patients without insurance, the Alaska State Public Health Lab provides many tests free of charge or at a reduced cost. Specimens are collected in our offices and shipped to either Anchorage or Fairbanks.
Anchorage Public Health Labs: Tuberculosis (TB), Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Pertussis, Syphilis, Salmonella, Shigella, E.Coli )157, Campylobacter, Vibrio, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Haemophilus and Neisseria infections.
Fairbanks Public Health Labs: HIV, hepatitis A, B, and C, adenovirus, enterovirus, rubella, rubeola, mumps, varicella-zoster virus, herpes viruses, rabies virus, norovirus, RSV, parainfluenza, influenza A & B. Can my doctor send my lab orders here?
What if I can't afford my bill?
We will work with patients to create a payment plan where their bill is paid off within 12 months.
I don't understand my bill.
Utilize the patient portal to access your billing statement and/or make a payment on your bill. You may contact the billing team at 1-907-733-2273 extension 6420.
How do I share my records?
We will not share patient records without a signed Release of Information from the patient (or guardian). Pick up a release form at either of our locations, print one from our resources section, or log in to your patient portal to complete the form electronically.
Can someone else pick up my medications?
Patient medications can be picked up by individuals other than the patient, however, the patient must first communicate this with clinic staff. We can accept verbal consent for a one-time pick-up and will note this in the patient chart.
If patients would like to arrange for others to regularly pick up their medications, it is highly recommended that the patient sign a consent form available at either location’s front desk. This consent will be noted in the patient’s chart and on file for future use.
Sunshine Community Health Center
1-907-376-2273 (CARE)