Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is included in a preventative exam (physical) and an office visit?
What’s Included in a Preventive Visit?
ü Complete Physical Exam
ü Blood Pressure, Blood Glucose & Cholesterol Screening Tests
ü Pelvic Exams, Pap Smear
ü Order Mammogram/DEXA
ü Discuss Prostate & Colorectal Cancer Screenings
ü Discuss Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing
ü Thorough Review of Medical History
ü Vaccination Review & Update
ü Developmental Screenings
ü Evaluations of Future Risks
These visits are intended to prevent health concerns as we age.
What’s Included in an Office Visit?
ü Diagnosing of New or Worsening Symptoms
ü Follow-up on ongoing issues
ü Revising Treatment Plans
ü Post Hospitalization Discharge Care
ü Medication Changes
ü Specialist Referrals
ü Review of Test Results
If you wish to discuss a new concern that does not fall under these
categories, the diagnosis and treatment of this issue will be billed separately
as an Office Visit in addition to your Preventive Visit.
2. Where should I get COVID-19 tests and/or vaccinations?
COVID-19 testing is available at several local pharmacies; you can find more information on the CDC website: https://www.maine.gov/covid19/testing
COVID-19 vaccines are available at several local pharmacies; you can find more information on the CDC website: https://www.maine.gov/covid19/vaccines
3. How soon can I get my medications after I call?
Non-urgent refill requests are sent to the pharmacy within 48 hours and urgent refill requests are sent within 24 hours. Please plan ahead for your prescription needs. We recommend that you call the pharmacy to see when your prescription will be ready to pick up.
4. Are you closed on holidays and if so, who will take care of my needs if I am sick?
We provide 24-hour coverage for our patients. When the office is not open, patients can call our phone number at 207-533-3366 and be directed to the on-call service. For emergencies, we recommend that you visit your local hospital ER.
5. What if my insurance is not listed on your insurance list?
We recommend that you call your health insurance company to see if our office or providers are on their list, or if you have an open plan. Then call our office to verify we can take your insurance plan.
6. If I am sick can I call and get in the same day?
Our daily schedule allows for urgent care appointments. If none are available we will try to work you in or get you in on the following day.
7. Do you take MaineCare patients?
We do take MaineCare patients but do not participate with the PCPlus program (formerly known as PCCM). If you have MaineCare and want to become a patient, please contact MaineCare and ask to be opted-out of the PCPlus program. (Please ask about any benefits that could be affected due to this action.) Call a MaineCare service representative if you are unsure of your coverage at 1-800-977-6740, or to get a list of participating PCPlus providers.
8. Is there a charge if I missed my appointment?
Yes, there are charges related to missed or no-show appointments, see policy below. Should you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment please contact our office as soon as possible. This gives us time to schedule other patients who may be waiting for an opening.
Cancellation/No Show Policy:
· Any patient who arrives more than 10 minutes past their appointment start time will be considered a no-show and charged a $50.00 fee and will need to be rescheduled.
· Any established patient who fails to show or cancels/reschedules an appointment without 24 hours’ notice will be considered a no-show and charged a $50.00 fee; a second time will result in a $75.00 fee. This fee is charged to the patient, not the insurance company, and must be paid before any further appointments can be scheduled.
· If a third no-show or cancellation/reschedule with no 24-hour notice should occur the patient may be dismissed from the office.
· Any new patient who fails to show for their initial visit will not be rescheduled and discharged from the practice.
9. My child has a school form that needs to be signed; can the provider just fill that out for us without an office visit?
If your child has recently been seen, within 3 months, by the provider and we have the information the form is requesting, the provider can do this without an appointment. Otherwise you will need to schedule an appointment for your child.
10. Can the provider fill out health related paperwork for me?
If you have been seen recently by a provider, within 3 months, and we have the information the paperwork is requesting, the provider can fill out forms without an appointment. Otherwise you will need to schedule an appointment to have the provider fill out the form.
11. How do I know if my insurance will cover the cost of my office visit and any procedures I have done?
Insurance coverage varies for each person. The best way to know if your medical costs will be covered is to contact your health insurance carrier.
12. How much will my office visit cost?
Each visit is dependent on several factors, such as time, complexity and procedures. Please call the front desk if you need an approximate price range for certain types of visits.
13. How do I know which medical provider I will see?
As a new patient, you can choose which provider you would like as your primary care provider (PCP) based on who is currently taking new patients. If you have an acute issue, we will attempt to schedule you with your PCP first, if this is not possible, then with the provider who has the first available appointment.
14. I have no insurance. What are affordable health care options?
We have cash pay discounts, when you pay at the time of the visit in full. You can also contact Consumers for Affordable Health Care at http://mainecahc.org/
15. How do you handle overdue accounts?
We make every effort to collect outstanding balances within a reasonable time frame. If after every effort, we are unable to collect, it is the policy of the practice to discharge the patient from the practice for failure to pay. The cost of sending certified letters, in an attempt to collect outstanding balances, will be added to the patient’s account.