What is a PCC?
Your Patient Care Coordinator
A VIP in the CARE of YOU!
Debbie Stiles, PCC and Cristy Westbrook, PCC

Many patients visit Tri-Valley Orthopedic Specialists and hear terminology which is, at times, confusing.  For instance, you may have heard your doctor refer to his "PCC", or had a receptionist tell you that you’ll need to speak with the doctor’s "PCC", or an X-Ray Tech says please wait for your "PCC".  If you’ve wondered who they are referring to…it is your Patient Care Coordinator.

Quite simply, the PCC or Patient Care Coordinator is your doctor’s assistant.  However, within our office practice, the PCC is the most important assistant for any one of our physicians at Tri-Valley Orthopedic Specialists.  The PCC has been referred to as the "third arm of the doctor","the conduit of communication from the patient to the doctor",  "the single most important individual between the patient and the doctor". Your Patient Care Coordinator is there to assist you, the patient, and your doctor in coordinating every level of your care.

You will encounter a PCC on your initial visit to Tri-Valley Orthopedic Specialists.  Your physician’s PCC may take you to an exam room, and make you comfortable by explaining what might occur during your visit.  After seeing the doctor, the PCC may help facilitate treatment which has been recommended by the physician.  For example, you may need help in scheduling procedures or tests, getting prescriptions re-filled, understanding procedures, or maybe getting directions to physical therapy!  Your PCC will address all of your concerns as a patient, and take care of all your needs associated with your particular physician’s treatment recommendations.

While it is the patient’s responsibility to know their insurance benefits, the Patient Care Coordinator is often instrumental in assisting the patient with authorizations and medical necessity requirements associated with a variety of insurance plans.

The Patient Care Coordinator is an extremely valuable asset at Tri-Valley Orthopedic Specialists, and is essential in creating quality care.  They are always available to answer your questions and assist you in managing your health care issues.

The following is a list of each Tri-Valley Orthopedic Specialists Physician and their Patient Care Coordinators: