About Us
Lynchburg Internal Medicine was established in 1980 and acquired by Centra in August 2008. Our doctors provide quality primary care and internal medicine services for patients 18 years of age and older. The practice consists of physicians and physician assistants.
APPOINTMENTS
Please make your appointments in advance so that we may offer you a time that is most convenient to you. We try our best to see patients on time, but emergencies do arise which may disrupt the schedule. When you come to the office for a visit, we encourage you to bring a list of all your medications with you, so that your physician can review these and ensure that dosages and directions are correct.
If you are seeing the doctor for a routine or wellness physical and expect appropriate insurance coverage, YOU MUST NOTIFY BOTH THE DOCTOR AND RECEPTIONIST AT THE TIME OF YOUR EXAM.
NEW PATIENTS
We do accept new patients. Please contact our office to schedule a convenient time for your visit and to obtain a patient information form to complete. We require routine blood and urinalysis testing and a complete physical so that we have a comprehensive understanding of your health status. At the time of your visit please bring your insurance cards and any current medications you are now taking.
CANCELLATIONS
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance so that we may use this time for another patient who may need to be seen. Failure to notify our office 24 hours in advance may result in a charge of $50.00.
FEES AND INSURANCE
To reduce the high cost of billing, we require payment of copayments, deductibles and any other self pay balances at time of service. If you cannot pay, we request that you talk to our patient account specialist to make payment arrangements. Please bring your insurance cards with you to each visit, and always notify this office of any changes in your insurance coverage. It is your responsibility to know your insurance benefits and coverage. Your insurance is a contract between you and your insurance company.
REFERRALS FOR TREATMENT OUTSIDE OUR OFFICE
If your insurance company requires referrals or preauthorization’s for tests, procedures or to be seen by a specialist, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY THIS OFFICE EACH TIME YOU MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THESE SERVICES.
NOTIFICATION OF TEST RESULTS
It is our policy to notify the patient, either by mail or telephone, of the results of any lab, x-ray or other test results that were ordered by your physician. If you do not hear from us within 7 to 10 days after the test was done, please contact our office.
TELEPHONE CALLS
Patients may call during office hours with questions about medical treatment. However, it is not possible to interrupt the doctor for each call. Please leave your name, telephone number and reason for your call with the receptionist. A staff member or doctor will return your call as soon as possible. If you have an emergency, please tell the receptionist so that we can make the appropriate arrangements for a prompt evaluation. If you are calling for an appointment, please talk to a receptionist and be specific about the reason for the appointment.
MEDICATION AND PRESCRIPTION REFILLS
Please call your pharmacy for any prescription refills. The pharmacist will notify our office. We do reserve the right to refuse to refill prescriptions if the physician feels it is in your best interest for you to be examined. We do not routinely prescribe antibiotics over the telephone. If you feel you need a medication, please call the office and make an appointment to see your physician to ensure proper treatment.
NOTE: No pain medication, sleep aids, anxiety medicines or other controlled substances will be prescribed or refilled after office hours, including weekends.
EMERGENCIES
Our physicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To reach a doctor after hours or for an emergency, please call the office number – this will connect you with our answering service. We do ask that patients not call after hours for routine matters such as prescription refills, appointments or billing questions. These matters are more easily and efficiently handled during office hours.
If you have a problem of the utmost urgency, we ask that you go immediately to Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Room or call 911.
