How do I make an appointment?

Some insurance plans require that your primary care physician provide them a referral for specialist care. Please check to determine what coverage your plan will provide so necessary documentation can be in place before your appointment.

Appointments are made by calling the main scheduling number directly at 503-246-2212. Scheduling is available Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

The scheduler will need to know the reason for your appointment, your insurance information, and whether there are special factors to consider, such as the need to schedule an interpreter for the appointment. Every effort is made to accommodate a patient's need and physician requests.

Are The Ankle and Foot Center facilities accessible by wheelchair?

All facilities for Ankle and Foot Centers are accessible by wheel chair and comply with ADA requirements.

The Hillsdale parking lot can be difficult to maneuver, but we have a special parking area between our building and the "ESP" building, for patients who need it.

Is there convenient parking at The Ankle and Foot Center facilities?

Both facilities for The Ankle and Foot Centers have convenient, off-street parking. Though parking is available at the downtown clinic in the building, we offer free parking a block away at the "Smart Park" structure, on 10th and Yamhill.

For more specific information for a particular facility, or a map to the parking, please see LOCATIONS on this web site.

What happens on my first visit?

Your first visit is a consultation. Ask your primary physician or referral physician to send us any parts of your medical record that is relevant to your visit.  These records will provide background and will help avoid redundant testing.

During this visit, our providers will talk with you to understand your medical and family history, with specific emphasis on the present problem bringing you to our office. A relevant physical examination is done as well.

Follow-up visits are usually of shorter duration, unless necessitated by the present problem.

How do I get a follow up appointment?

The practitioner will document in your progress notes when a follow-up visit is necessary and will let you know the need for this follow-up.

You can either make your follow-up appointment at the front desk after your visit or call later. It is recommended that you make your follow up visit at the time of your departure, in order to insure you are able to get an appointment for the time you and the Doctor would like.

Often you will get a telephone call the day before your scheduled visit.

How can I find out the results of my tests?

Patients are asked to call the physician's office for results of lab work and x-rays, if they do not hear from our office within one week, after performing the lab work or other studies.

In the event of an abnormal result requiring intervention, the physician or their designated staff person will notify the patient for follow-up or further testing.

How do I find out more about my condition and treatment?

During your examination and treatment, information on your condition will be provided by the physician and licensed staff involved in your care.   We also have health education pamphlets, videos and books available for some conditions.

You may also be referred to educational classes at various hospitals as appropriate.  Referrals to community resources may be made with assistance from the Social Service Department of a specific hospital.

Patients are encouraged to ask questions to be sure they understand and are understood.

Can I see my medical record?

The information in your medical record is available to you by contacting our office. No information will be released by Ankle and Foot Centers to insurance companies, attorneys, or other parties without your written permission.

How do I reach my doctor in an emergency?

If it is a serious medical emergency,  call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room. 

Remember your health plan may require approval from your primary care physician before an emergency room visit.

If you need to talk to your physician, call your physician’s office and describe your problem or need. Leave the phone number where you can be reached and we will respond to your call as soon as possible. After hours, you will be given an emergency only contact phone number. Please only call this number in case of an emergency. In doing so you may need to leave a message for the on-call physician to call you back.

How can I get my prescription refilled?

To have a prescription refilled, contact your pharmacy.  They will contact us if there are any questions.

If there is a problem with your medications or you need a refill earlier than usual, call the clinic and explain the situation so we can have any changes approved by your physician before the Pharmacy calls us.

How do I make a complaint?

If you have concerns, we encourage you to let us know, so we can improve our service and care - call: 503-246-2212. You can contact us by calling the clinic,or by using the CONTACT US email option on this web site, or by mail to:

Dr. Steven G. Tillett

c/o Ankle and Foot Centers
6327 SW Capitol hwy, Suite B
Portland OR 97239

Are The Ankle and Foot Centers a part of a particular Health Care System?

No.  Our physicians are affiliated with Providence, Legacy, and other facilities but The Ankle and Foot Center physicians practice independently of any specific hospital system.

Billing and Insurance Information

Where do I send my payment?

All payments are sent to our Office directly.

The address is:          

Dr. Steven G. Tillett

c/o Ankle and Foot Centers
6327 SW Capitol Hwy, Suite B
Portland, OR 97239

How do I reach Ankle and Foot Centers if I have a question on my bill?

The Ankle and Foot Centers' Financial Counselors can be reached at 503-597-3437 from 8:00 am through 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.  After hours, you can leave a voice mail message and your call will be returned by the next day.

What insurance does The Ankle and Foot Centers accept?

The Ankle and Foot Centers accept most insurance and will bill both primary and secondary insurance plans as a courtesy for our patients.

Some insurance plans have restrictions or a specific provider panel that patients must access. Please check with your insurance carrier for specific eligibility, benefits, provider panel and/or referral requirements as they apply to you.

If you have insurance related questions, you can reach The Ankle and Foot Centers Business Office by calling 503-246-2212.  The operator will direct you to the appropriate Insurance Specialist to assist you.

Please ask when you call to be sure your care is likely to be covered. However, despite our best efforts we can not fully predict when your insurance plan may not pay for your care.

Why do I need to show my insurance card at each visit?

A patient's insurance plan may change many times so to be sure we have current information, we ask to see your card if it has been over a month since your last visit.   Inaccurate insurance information can delay payment and may lead to increased medical costs for all patients.

Why haven’t I received a bill yet?

We do not send statements until after your insurance carrier has been billed and processed your claim.  Your statement will then show what your insurance has paid and any portion of the balance due from the patient.

Why did it take so long for my insurance to pay?

Insurance billing requires many steps and can take many weeks to complete. We are available for questions that you may have about our bill.  We work with the insurance company to ensure correct claims processing.  However, questions about how your insurance processed a specific claim should be directed to your insurance company. They can answer questions regarding how your policy and coverage apply to your care. Of course, we are also available to answer any questions you may have regarding a specific claim, or about your bill as well.

Why does the bill show a balance forward, instead of claim detail?

The first billing is always itemized.  Future bills will have the current itemized detail, but the prior billings will show as a balance forward.  Please keep all itemized statements for your records.

If at a later date you need an itemized detail summary, please call our business office at 503-246-2212.

What if I can’t pay my bill in full?

We request that all balances be paid upon receipt, or broken into three equal monthly payments. If you are unable to do either of these options, a payment plan may be offered.  Please contact our Financial Counselor Department at 503-246-2212 for details.

Do you offer charity discounts?

If a patient is experiencing a financial hardship and provides us with income verification, we may be able to offer a charity discount. Our decision is based on the poverty guidelines by family size as defined by the federal government.  Please contact our Financial Counselor Department at 503-246-2212 for details.

What does HMO mean?

An HMO is a type of insurance coverage called a “Health Maintenance Organization.”  Typically it is structured so that your primary care provider is a gatekeeper and approves / referals for all non-primary care.  If you have chosen an HMO plan, you need to be familiar with any rules for obtaining care or for co-payments so you can minimize any expense to you or your family.

Most HMO plans require you to have a referral authorized by your primary care provider at least 10 days before seeing a specialist, though emergencies are an exception. Some surgical procedures require a second opinion before they are performed.

The Ankle and Foot Centers will use the laboratories and other facilities as required by your plan, but you are ultimately responsible to ensure that you stay within your plan’s network.