Q. How will you provide enhanced accessibility?
A. The typical Internist maintains a practice size of greater
than 2000 patients. I have reduced my new practice to fewer
than 25% of that number. With a substantially smaller number
of relationships to maintain, I will be available to you
when you need me. For your convenience, I may be reached
by phone, fax, or email. If I am busy with another patient
when you call, I will return your message promptly.
Q. What services will I receive for the Annual Fee?
A. The Annual Fee provides for a Comprehensive Preventive
Medical Examination and a Personal Wellness Plan. In
addition, you will benefit from the following: appointments
that conveniently fit your schedule, same-day or next-day
appointments, minimal or no wait time, unhurried visits,
round-the-clock physician availability via phone, fax,
or email, enhanced coordination with specialists, house
calls when necessary, prescription facilitation, and
travel medicine services.
Q. What if I’m a Medicare
patient?
A. Medicare will not be billed for the services that are
included in the Annual Fee; the Comprehensive Preventive
Medical Examination and Personal Wellness Plan, because
they are not covered benefits. Other services, such as
follow-up office visits, will be billed to Medicare as
usual and co-pays and deductibles will be charged as
they have been in the past. As in the past, you will
continue to use your Medicare coverage for laboratory
fees, x-rays, other specialist physician services, and
hospital services.
Q. Will I be reimbursed for my Annual Fee? Is it tax deductible?
A. If your work has a "Cafeteria Plan" for
employee benefits, the Annual Fee may be reimbursable to
you. There is a new type of health insurance plan combined
with a savings account called a Health Savings Account
(HSA). Using a Cafeteria Plan or an HSA may allow Annual
Fee expenses to be paid with pre-tax dollars. You should
review these and other options with your benefits manager,
tax advisor, and insurance agent.
Q. Will I still need health insurance?
A. Yes. Your health insurance will be necessary if you
should need additional office visits, hospital visits,
or procedures that are not covered by the Annual Fee.
Additionally, you will want to maintain your insurance
coverage for services outside my office, such as specialist
visits, hospitalization, lab tests, X-rays, and prescriptions.
Q. What happens if I need to see a specialist or go to
the hospital?
A. If the need arises for you to see a specialist or you
require services outside my office, I will help to guide
you through the process. I will personally oversee all
of your care and coordinate with other professionals to
ensure that you receive the personal attention and care
that you need. If hospitalization is required, I will make
timely arrangements for your hospital admission, provide
daily care, and supervise all services to optimize your
care.
Q. I am healthy and only need to see a physician for an
annual examination. How does this new type of practice
benefit me?
A. An annual examination, although essential and beneficial,
does not account for the unpredictable nature of medical
illness. If you become ill, my services will be available
immediately. Because of the limited size of my practice,
I will be able to manage your health issues with a level
of personal attention unavailable in a conventional Internal
Medicine practice.
Q. Will I be healthier?
A. I will assist you in developing a healthy lifestyle
to promote your long term good health and well-being,
and to reduce the risk of problems that develop as you
grow older. My goal is to be a partner in your health
care and make a difference in your life.
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