Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Patient Centered Medical Home?
According to the National Center for Quality Assurance, "The Patient Centered Medical Home is a health care setting that facilitates partnerships between individual patients and their personal physician and when appropriate the patient's family. Care is facilitated by registeries, information technology, health information exchange and other means to assure that patients get the indicated care when and where they need and want it in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner."
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Do you do routine GYN care, including Pap tests?
Family physicians and Family PA's ( Physician Assistants) are well trained in the routine care of women, particularly Pap tests, breast exams, birth control methods and frequent problems such as vaginitis, pelvic pain, menstrual irregularities, and menopausal sysmptoms. With our focus on the entire person, we are unique in providing care for women.
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Do you treat children?
Many people don't realize that family physicians and PA's are well trained to care for children - from newborn to adolescents. The Academy of Family Practice and the Academy of Pediatrics follow the same developmental screening and immunization guidelines. Therare two big differences,though. The first is that we can treat all of the members fo your family when they are sick, eliminating the need for different doctors visits. The second is that the child is never too old for us to stop taking care of.
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Can you see my entire family?
Our Family doctors and Physican Assistants are uniquely trained to care for the entire family. Consider allowing us to care for your family - from newborn up to any age. If you have any questions, please fell free to discuss them with us.
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What is a PA?
A PA (Physician Assistant) is a health care professional licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PA's conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery and can write prescriptions in the state of Virginia.
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What is a PA-C?
Physician assistant-certified. It means that the person who holds the title has met the defined course of study and has undergone testing by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). To maintain certification, a physician assistant must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and take the recertification exam every 6 years.
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Can I see you even if you do not participate with my health insurance?
Even if we do not participate with your health insurance, we are happy to provide your care. You are responsible for payment at the time of service. We will give you the necessary information for you to submit your insurance claim so that you will receive the reimbursement you are entitled to.
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What is the HIPAA Privacy Rule?
The HIPAA Privacy Rule controls the use and disclosure of what is known as Protected Health Information(PHI). Many of the applications of the Privacy Rule are simply common sense. Others are somewhat more complex and afford you, the patient, a great deal of flexibility in accessing the content of your medical record and gives you more control in how that content (PHI) is used. In addition the Privacy Rule enables you to control the disclosure of your PHI to certain entities.
