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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