Policies and Procedures

Minimally Invasive Specialty Center for Animals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment at MISCA?

Yes, MISCA is a referral-based specialty practice.

To begin the scheduling process, your primary care veterinarian must submit a formal referral along with your pet’s relevant medical history. Once our clinical team reviews these records, our staff will contact you directly to schedule your pet’s initial consultation. After your appointment is confirmed, new clients will be provided a link to complete an online client intake form prior to arrival.

How can my primary care veterinarian submit a referral to MISCA?

Referring veterinarians can easily submit patient records and case details through our online referral form.

Our website features a dedicated submission portal for veterinary partner practices across West Linn, Portland, and the broader Pacific Northwest. Referring clinicians can upload medical records and diagnostics directly through the portal to ensure a seamless transfer of care.

What are MISCA’s phone hours and consultation schedules?

Phones are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturdays.

Consultation Day: Thursday

Procedure Days: Wednesday and Friday

How should I prepare my pet for surgery or a specialized procedure?

Pre-procedure preparation and fasting guidelines are set at the attending doctor’s discretion and will be communicated directly to you prior to your appointment.

Because every patient and procedure is unique, specific instructions regarding food, water, and pre-visit care will be provided by our clinical team during your pre-procedure communications.

Should I give my pet their regular morning medications on procedure day?

Please consult with our team before administering any morning medications prior to a scheduled procedure.

Certain medications require specific adjustments before anesthesia or diagnostic imaging. Our clinical team will review your pet’s active medications prior to admission and provide exact instructions on what to administer or hold. 

What payment methods are accepted at MISCA?

MISCA accepts all major credit cards, debit cards, and CareCredit, but does not accept cash or personal checks.

To protect account security and prevent fraud, payments must be made directly by the authorized account holder listed on the client account. If family members or crowdsourcing platforms are assisting with costs, those funds must be transferred to your personal account so payment can be made directly by the primary account holder.

Learn more about accepted payment methods at MISCA on our Policy and Procedures Page.

How do deposits and procedure pre-payments work?

A $50 deposit is required when booking an initial consultation, and pre-payment based on the high end of your estimate is required prior to procedures.

Consultation Deposit: A $50 deposit is collected upon booking and applied directly to your final consultation invoice. Your deposit will be forfeited if you miss your scheduled appointment or cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice.

Procedure Pre-Payment: Following your consultation, you will receive an itemized treatment estimate. Payment matching the high end of the estimate is collected prior to the procedure, and any remaining credit balance is refunded upon final discharge reconciliation.

Learn more about accepted payment methods at MISCA on our Policy and Procedures Page.

Does MISCA offer direct billing with pet insurance providers?

MISCA participates in Trupanion VetDirect Pay as our sole direct-billing option at checkout.

For all other pet insurance providers (such as Healthy Paws, Pumpkin, or Nationwide), MISCA operates on a direct client payment model. You will pay for services upfront at the time of care, and our staff will provide complete itemized invoices and diagnostic records so you can submit your claim for prompt reimbursement.

What time will my pet be discharged after a procedure?

Discharge timing is determined on an individual basis based on patient recovery.

Our medical team will monitor your pet closely throughout recovery. Once your pet is fully awake, comfortable, and cleared for discharge, our staff will contact you directly to set up a pickup time and review home care instructions.

How does MISCA collaborate with my primary care veterinarian, other specialists, and emergency doctors?

MISCA maintains continuous communication with your family veterinarian, other specialists, and emergency doctors throughout your pet’s care.

Following consultations, procedures, or hospital stays, detailed medical summaries, surgical reports, diagnostic images, and follow-up plans are sent directly to these providers to ensure complete continuity of care.

Does MISCA offer overnight hospitalization and post-operative care?

Yes, MISCA provides short-term overnight care for select procedures when deemed medically necessary by our attending veterinarians, up to a maximum of one night.

For complex surgical or interventional cases requiring extended post-operative recovery, our clinical team oversees scheduled, single-night hospitalization and monitoring. If a patient requires hospitalization beyond one night or requires continuous multi-day critical care monitoring, our team coordinates a transfer to a local 24-hour specialty hospital.

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