FAQs
We’ve put together the following list of Frequently Asked Questions to help you better understand who we are and what you can expect when you visit a VCC health center. If you have a question that isn’t answered below or on our website, please contact us and one of our team members would be happy to assist you.
Questions
- What is VCC?
- What services are available at VCC?
- How does VCC ensure that I’m receiving the best healthcare?
- Is VCC a “free” or “walk-in” clinic?
- Do I need to make an appointment?
- How do I make an appointment?
- How do I cancel an appointment?
- Who can receive healthcare at VCC?
- What kind of payments does VCC accept?
- I’m uninsured – can VCC still help me?
- What can I expect during my visit?
- How do I get lab or imaging test results?
- What happens when I need to see a specialist?
- How do I refill my prescriptions?
- Does VCC offer services in Spanish?
- Can VCC help me apply for Medi-Cal or Covered California?
- Does VCC offer transportation?
Q: What is VCC?
A: Vista Community Clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center providing a wide array of medical services, dental services, and health education and community health programs in the cities of Vista, Oceanside, Lake Elsinore and La Habra, California. We maintain a strong quality assurance program and, as a nonprofit organization, are governed by a Board of Directors.
A: Vista Community Clinic is a Federally Qualified Health Center providing a wide array of medical services, dental services, and health education and community health programs in the cities of Vista, Oceanside, Lake Elsinore and La Habra, California. We maintain a strong quality assurance program and, as a nonprofit organization, are governed by a Board of Directors.
Q: What services are available at VCC?
A: VCC offers a wide array of health care and wellness services including Adult & Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Dental Services, Chiropractic care, Optometry, Family Planning, HIV care, Immunizations, Teen Clinic, Pharmacy and Health Insurance enrollment services. Our award-winning health education and outreach programs also provide health information and services to the community.
A: VCC offers a wide array of health care and wellness services including Adult & Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Dental Services, Chiropractic care, Optometry, Family Planning, HIV care, Immunizations, Teen Clinic, Pharmacy and Health Insurance enrollment services. Our award-winning health education and outreach programs also provide health information and services to the community.
Q: How does VCC ensure that I’m receiving the best healthcare?
A: We’re committed to ensuring that you receive excellent, friendly and affordable health care. We follow nationally established evidence-based clinical practice guidelines during every visit to a VCC health center. Using these guidelines and an Electronic Health Records system, our doctors and dentists ensure that you receive high quality health care at all of our health centers.
A: We’re committed to ensuring that you receive excellent, friendly and affordable health care. We follow nationally established evidence-based clinical practice guidelines during every visit to a VCC health center. Using these guidelines and an Electronic Health Records system, our doctors and dentists ensure that you receive high quality health care at all of our health centers.
Q: Is VCC “free” or is it a “walk-in” clinic?
A: We operate like any other medical or dental medical group, and ask that patients make appointments and pay utilizing insurance or a sliding fee scale. As such, we are not an emergency room, walk-in or free clinic. We are, however, a non-profit organization that’s committed to taking care of our community’s medical and dental needs.
A: We operate like any other medical or dental medical group, and ask that patients make appointments and pay utilizing insurance or a sliding fee scale. As such, we are not an emergency room, walk-in or free clinic. We are, however, a non-profit organization that’s committed to taking care of our community’s medical and dental needs.
Q: Do I need to make an appointment?
A: Yes. VCC patients must make an appointment to ensure they are seen by a doctor or dentist. However we do offer many same-day appointments.
A: Yes. VCC patients must make an appointment to ensure they are seen by a doctor or dentist. However we do offer many same-day appointments.
Q: How do I make an appointment?
A: You can call (844) 308-5003 to make an appointment in English or Spanish. We offer many same-day appointments and these are available on a first come, first served basis.
A: You can call (844) 308-5003 to make an appointment in English or Spanish. We offer many same-day appointments and these are available on a first come, first served basis.
Q: How do I cancel an appointment?
A: You can cancel your appointment by accessing your patient account on the VCC Patient Portal. You can also cancel by calling VCC at (844) 308-5003 or when you receive your confirmation phone call and/or text.
A: You can cancel your appointment by accessing your patient account on the VCC Patient Portal. You can also cancel by calling VCC at (844) 308-5003 or when you receive your confirmation phone call and/or text.
Q: Who can receive healthcare at VCC?
A: Our healthcare services are available to all residents in the community! For uninsured patients, we offer low-cost, discounted visits. We also accept most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal and Medicare.
A: Our healthcare services are available to all residents in the community! For uninsured patients, we offer low-cost, discounted visits. We also accept most insurance plans, including Medi-Cal and Medicare.
Q: What kind of payments does VCC accept?
A: Please be prepared to make your co-pay at the beginning or your appointment. We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and offer flexible payment options. We don’t turn anyone away from care based on ability to pay.
A: Please be prepared to make your co-pay at the beginning or your appointment. We accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and offer flexible payment options. We don’t turn anyone away from care based on ability to pay.
Q: I’m uninsured – can VCC still help me?
A: Anyone can receive services at VCC. No one is turned away, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. If you don’t have health insurance, your cost will be determined based on your income and your household size.
A: Anyone can receive services at VCC. No one is turned away, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. If you don’t have health insurance, your cost will be determined based on your income and your household size.
Q: What can I expect during my visit?
A: When you walk in the door at one of our health centers, you will be greeted by our friendly and welcoming front desk staff. We will get you checked in and process your insurance and/or payment. One of our Medical or Dental Assistants will bring you back to our clinical area and, depending on the type of care you need, we will gather relevant medical history, conduct an examination, perform diagnostic test(s) or administer a vaccination. Your doctor or dentist will review your results with you and provide instructions and recommendations. This may include a prescription that you can fill at one of our convenient VCC pharmacies or a pharmacy of your choice.
A: When you walk in the door at one of our health centers, you will be greeted by our friendly and welcoming front desk staff. We will get you checked in and process your insurance and/or payment. One of our Medical or Dental Assistants will bring you back to our clinical area and, depending on the type of care you need, we will gather relevant medical history, conduct an examination, perform diagnostic test(s) or administer a vaccination. Your doctor or dentist will review your results with you and provide instructions and recommendations. This may include a prescription that you can fill at one of our convenient VCC pharmacies or a pharmacy of your choice.
Q: How do I get lab or imaging test results?
A: You can access your lab results in the VCC Patient Portal. For imaging results, we will call you within two weeks of your test to let you know of your results and to schedule any required future appointments. Additionally, we will send you a message with test results on your VCC Patient Portal account.
A: You can access your lab results in the VCC Patient Portal. For imaging results, we will call you within two weeks of your test to let you know of your results and to schedule any required future appointments. Additionally, we will send you a message with test results on your VCC Patient Portal account.
Q: What happens when I need to see a specialist?
A: Your provider must order a referral for you to see a specialist. Once the referral is approved by your insurance plan, our referral department will contact you by phone to provide you the specialist information. If unable to reach you by phone, we will mail you a letter with the information.
A: Your provider must order a referral for you to see a specialist. Once the referral is approved by your insurance plan, our referral department will contact you by phone to provide you the specialist information. If unable to reach you by phone, we will mail you a letter with the information.
Q: How do I refill my prescriptions?
A: You can refill your prescriptions at VCC from your online account on the VCC Patient Portal. You can also do it by phone by calling (844) 308-5003 or by visiting one of our pharmacy locations. If you choose a pharmacy other than VCC, please contact that pharmacy directly for refills.
A: You can refill your prescriptions at VCC from your online account on the VCC Patient Portal. You can also do it by phone by calling (844) 308-5003 or by visiting one of our pharmacy locations. If you choose a pharmacy other than VCC, please contact that pharmacy directly for refills.
Q: Does VCC offer services in Spanish?
A: Yes, many of our staff is bilingual and able to speak English and Spanish, including both doctors and dentists. You can also read our website in Spanish and when calling for an appointment, press option 2 for Spanish.
A: Yes, many of our staff is bilingual and able to speak English and Spanish, including both doctors and dentists. You can also read our website in Spanish and when calling for an appointment, press option 2 for Spanish.
Q: Can VCC help me apply for Medi-Cal or Covered California?
A: Yes. Our Certified Enrollment Counselors (CECs) will guide you through the process of applying and reapplying for Medi-Cal. Our CECs are also available to help you enroll in a health insurance plan during Covered California’s open and special enrollment periods. Learn more about our insurance assistance programs. We can also help you enroll in other programs like CalFresh and SDG&E CARE energy bill reduction program.
A: Yes. Our Certified Enrollment Counselors (CECs) will guide you through the process of applying and reapplying for Medi-Cal. Our CECs are also available to help you enroll in a health insurance plan during Covered California’s open and special enrollment periods. Learn more about our insurance assistance programs. We can also help you enroll in other programs like CalFresh and SDG&E CARE energy bill reduction program.
Q: Does VCC offer transportation?
A: Yes, we’re happy to help our patients get to their appointments! We will pick you up and drop you home after your medical or dental appointment at VCC. This is a free service and you can schedule your ride by calling (844) 308-5003 at least 24 hours before your appointment. Your insurance may also offer free transportation. You can call the number on your insurance card for more information.
A: Yes, we’re happy to help our patients get to their appointments! We will pick you up and drop you home after your medical or dental appointment at VCC. This is a free service and you can schedule your ride by calling (844) 308-5003 at least 24 hours before your appointment. Your insurance may also offer free transportation. You can call the number on your insurance card for more information.