We know you have a choice when it comes to your healthcare and we are glad you are either considering us or have chosen us. You may have questions that we will be glad to answer. To help you, we have compiled a list of our most frequently asked questions. This is only a reference for you. A member of our staff will be glad to speak with you regarding any concern.

What insurance companies do you participate with?

We are in-network with most commercial insurance companies. The list is extensive and always changing as new coverage options become available. We do not participate with Medicaid. Please call our office for the most up-to-date insurance information.

What do I need to bring with me to my appointments?

Please bring your insurance card, photo ID, and all prescription bottles of the medicines you are currently taking. A list of all over-the counter medications you take regularly is also helpful.

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

A lot of insurance cards change yearly. We want to make sure we have the most up-to-date information available so your insurance company will pay the claim for your visit, your lab work, and approve referrals.

Can I walk-in without an appointment?

We see patients by appointments. If you are sick or injured and walk into the office we will work you in if our schedule will allow.

Can I make payment arrangements for my bill?

Yes. If you are unable to pay your bill in full, we would like to work with you. We can even set up an automatic monthly draft of your payment if this would help.

Do you accept credit card payments over the phone?

Yes. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. There is no charge for this service.

How can I get a referral to another doctor?

Some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician’s office and others do not. Some specialty physicians require a referral from your primary care physician’s office even when the insurance does not have this requirement. Check with your health insurance plan and the specialist’s office first to determine if a referral is required. If you need a referral, you need to schedule an appointment at our office. We only do referrals to other physicians after the appropriate documentation in your medical chart.

How can I get my lab results?

Most routine lab tests are done at a “lab-only” appointment prior to your visit with the provider. We will go over your lab results at your appointment and provide you a copy of the results. Our nurses will call you with results on other lab tests. Please allow at least 48 hours for test results. Some results can take up to two weeks.

How can I get refills on my medicines?

Refills of prescriptions should be done at your visit and last until your next appointment. Should you need something in between appointments, please call our office and follow the prompts for prescription refill requests. We will only consider refill requests that come from patients and not their pharmacies since many pharmacies send out auto-renewal requests regardless of whether you actually need the prescription or are still taking the medicine.

How often do I need an appointment?

We recommend that everyone should be seen at least yearly for a physical exam. For those individuals with on-going medical conditions this answer is determined on an individual basis. As a general guideline, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and/or depression/anxiety should have visits every 3-4 months. People with high cholesterol or thyroid problems should have visits every 6 months.

I need to have fasting labs before my next appointment. What does that mean?

You need to come to our office during one of our lab draw times. You should have nothing to eat or drink (except for water) for 8 hours prior to having your blood drawn.

What are the times and days for having labs done?

We have lab draw on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8:30-9:00 am. During this time our staff is completely dedicated to lab work. You do not need an appointment. Labs are done on a first-come, first-serve basis. If these days and times do not work for you, you may come any other day of the week, but our staff will have to work you in between patients who have appointments and your wait time may end up being a little longer.

My pharmacy said the doctor’s office needs to call my insurance company so they’ll pay for my medicine. What happens now?

Normally the pharmacy will contact us and let us know your insurance company is requiring a “prior authorization” (or PA) for your medicine to be covered. This process normally involves more than just a quick phone call. A member of our staff will provide documentation and reasoning to your insurance company so they will consider covering your medicine. Many times once a “PA” has been done, the medicine is covered and you will be notified either by us or your pharmacy when it’s been approved. Some medicines do not get approval and will not be covered on your insurance plan. If your medicine is denied, we will call you to discuss other options. Please allow at least 48 hours for a PA to be completed. Once everything has been completed on our end we still have to wait for the decision from the insurance company.

What should I do if I have a problem and it’s after normal business hours?

If you are having an emergency, please call 911 or go to a hospital. Our providers are on-call after-hours for urgent problems. Call our regular telephone number and follow the prompts for paging a healthcare professional. We do not provide routine refill requests after-hours.

Why can’t I have all the lab tests done that I want?

Your insurance company is only going to pay for lab tests which have an appropriate corresponding diagnosis or reason for the test. You can have lab tests not covered by your insurance done if you are willing to pay out-of-pocket at the time of the test.

Can I just have some medicine called in?

If you have recently been seen in our office we may be able to call you in some additional or other medicine depending on the circumstances. We do not routinely call in prescriptions for antibiotics without an office visit. An office visit is required so our provider can evaluate you and determine the best treatment.

Can I speak with a nurse?

Yes, but please remember our nurses are very busy during the day with patients in the office. In most instances the best thing to do is to leave a message for the nurse so she or he can call you back. Please remember to leave your full name, date of birth, and a phone number and the reason for your call. They check messages throughout the day, but may not get to return calls until near the end of the day. If you are having an urgent problem, please speak with our front office staff who can give you further instructions.

How can I allow someone else to have access to my private health information?

We have a form that you can sign which allows another person or persons to have access to your information. A written consent is required for any release of information.

What is a family physician?

Family physicians are dedicated to treating the whole person. They treat each organ, every disease, all ages, and both genders. The cornerstone of family medicine is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.

Following medical school, family physicians complete a formal three-year residency during which they receive training in several major medical areas and patient populations.

Family physicians adhere to the highest standards of medical care. The American Board of Family Medicine requires recertification by examination every six years. To maintain board certification, family physicians are also required to complete a minimum of 150 hours of continuing medical education every three years.

What is a Physicians Assistant?

Physician Assistants (PAs) are healthcare professionals licensed to practice medicine alongside a physician supervisor. PAs take a national certification examination developed by the National Commission on Certification of PAs in conjunction with the National Board of Medical Examiners. The "C" in PA-C stands for Physician Assistant - Certified, and it means that the person who holds the title has met the defined course of study, and has undergone testing by the NCCPA. To maintain certification, the PA must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and take a recertification exam every six years.

How does the care of a physician assistant differ from a physician?

What a PA does varies with training, experience, and state law. In addition, the scope of the PA's practice corresponds to the supervising physician's practice. In general, a PA is trained to care for the same types of patients as the physician. Referral to the physician, or close consultation between the patient, PA, and physician is done for unusual or hard to manage cases. An essential part of PA training is for them to "know their limits" and refer to physicians appropriately.