Charlottesville Wellness Center
Family Practice

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1 Making Appointments

Please schedule elective appointments such as periodic screening exams, several weeks ahead. If you have an acute or urgent problem, we will either schedule a regular appointment, or "work you in". This may require that you wait to be seen. When speaking with our front office staff, please give them a short, general idea of why you're coming, (such as "flu-like symptoms" or "GYN problems") so that you are scheduled with enough time. If you say you're coming in for a sore throat, you will not be scheduled with enough time to address a list of issues. If you have a list of concerns you've been saving up, please let our staff know so that we can accommodate you. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please provide us 24-hour notice or you may be billed. Insurance will not cover this fee.

2 Emergency Care:

We provide coverage for emergencies on a 24-hour basis. Medical providers share call on a rotating basis. Please limit after hours calls to urgent medical problems. You can reach us after hours by calling the office number, 434-977-3140 or the Martha Jefferson Hospital Answering Service, 1 800-594-0630. We will return your call. If we cannot be reached immediately, or the situation is a pressing emergency, go to the Martha Jefferson Emergency Room. Call 911 if you wish to summon the rescue squad, police or fire department.

3 Payment:

We expect that you pay for your services and copays on the day that you are seen. Nonetheless we want to be certain that our patients receive all needed care, and will make special provisions when necessary. Our fee schedule is available for your inspection, and is consistent with insurance fee schedules and prevailing charges in Charlottesville. After an application and review of your finances, we may provide reduced fees if your situation warrants.

4 Medical Records:

We comply with all laws regarding your medical records. Your permission is needed to share your medical information with others. You have the right to review your file and provide corrections if necessary. Please call to arrange a time in advance if you wish to do so. A copying and handling charge is made for chart copies. This is not covered by insurance. A charge is also made for filling out extended forms for disability, multiple insurances etc.

5 Insurance:

There are numerous insurance companies, offering many types of insurance coverage. Plans change frequently. We are happy to help file for claims, but ultimately it is your responsibility to know if we accept your insurance and what your particular plan covers . We accept assignment on Medicare claims. New Medicare and Medicaid patients are considered on a case by case basis.

6 Communications:

Please call from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. for non-emergency matters. Our office staff can provide most of the information you need. A triage person, or a health care practitioner, reviews medical calls. If you are ill, please come in for an office visit. It is not in your best interests for us to practice medicine over the phone. Calls that we personally return are made around noon or after office hours. Messages can be left with our answering service for calls to be returned the following day.

7 Prescription Refills:

Please give 24 hours for your refill to be processed. Leave a request with the receptionist or put the prescription on voice mail. Please leave your name, telephone number, the medication name, prescription number, and the pharmacy to which you wish it called. It will be forwarded to the appropriate practitioner who will either call the prescription to the pharmacy or contact you to discuss it. Contact the pharmacy to be sure it is ready before you pick it up.

8 Parking:

Parking is provided for you in the lot adjoining the building. The entrance is from Rose Hill Drive. Handicapped parking is provided right next to the building.

9 Bus Service:

The Route 1 and Route 6 City buses stop at the corner of Preston Avenue and Rose Hill Drive just outside our building.

10 Facilities:

Our offices occupy the third floor of the Charlottesville Wellness Center Building and part of the first floor. They are handicapped accessible. Our office rooms feature threatened cultures and ecosystems, as a reminder to cherish diversity and our planet.

Other occupants in our building include many experienced healing arts professionals. They are independent of our practice.

11 In-office Procedures:

We do sigmoidoscopies, nasolarygosocpies, minor surgical procedures, electrocardiograms, pulmonary function testing and some labs in our office.