Internal Medicine Associates of Lawrence County addresses basic primary care needs as well as more serious complex medical issues. Please note that our practice is geared toward adult patients:
- On-site Vaccinations
- Ultrasounds
- EKG (Electrocardiogram)
- Blood Pressure Check
- Hemoglobin A1C Check
- Urine Testing
- Flu Testing, both A and B
- Flu Clinic
Office Visit Categories
- Sick Visits
- Emergency
- Follow-Up
- Comprehensive Physical Exam (Physical, CPX)
- Gynecological (Gyne)
- Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)
- Pre-Operative Clearance (Pre-Op)
See descriptions below to help you better understand the differences between certain types of office visits.
Sick Visit:
Includes acute or urgent illnesses or injuries such as: upper respiratory infection, fever, rash, UTI, animal bites, etc. This is a shorter time slot to address only the current illness/injury. You will be seen within 24 hours.
Emergency:
This type of visit includes: lacerations, allergic reactions. You will be seen immediately by a provider in our office unless that provider feels the hospital ER is more appropriate (i.e. severe trauma, severe bleeding, seizures, chest pain, etc). Walk-ins are generally seen for emergent situations. If possible, please call to inform us of your situation.
Follow-Up:
This type of visit covers chronic illnesses such as: diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. Lab results are reviewed. These visits are typically scheduled in advance and at least every 6 months. Some conditions require more frequent monitoring due to their severity or instability.
Comprehensive Physical Exam (CPX):
- Extra time to discuss patient concerns
- More extensive lab studies
- Age and gender specific cancer screenings
- Age and condition appropriate vascular screening
- Age and condition appropriate vaccinations
- Comprehensive skin examination
- Neurologic evaluation
- Recommendation of appropriate lifestyle changes
Types of physicals include: EPSDT, driver, sports, nursing home admission, new patient, and your annual physical. This type of appointment is also needed when certain forms need to be completed by a medical provider. Examples of forms: driver, camp, school/college, PIAA, etc. The fee applied to complete each form is based on its complexity. *Not all forms require a physical exam*
Most insurance companies now pay for an annual physical without copay. Call the number for member services located on your insurance card to inquire.
Gynecology (GYNE):
This includes your annual routine gynecological exam, Pap smear, HPV test, breast exam, pelvic exam, and hemoccult test.
Annual Wellness Visit (AWV):
This visit is a thorough and complete overview of your health. This is not a Physical. It covers everything from age-appropriate screenings to your living will/advanced directives. This ensures that we, your PCP, have your complete health record, which enables us to provide the highest quality of care to you.
*Due to insurance regulations and billing, this visit cannot be combined with any other type of visit, such as: sick short, follow-up, physical, etc.
Pre-Operative Clearance (Pre-Op):
Surgeons require a clearance from your PCP (Primary Care Physician) to ensure you are healthy enough to undergo a procedure. This clearance must be done within 30 days of the procedure.
Specific tests are ordered by the surgeon and need to be completed prior to your Pre-Op appointment. Such testing includes lab work, chest x-ray, EKG, and further cardiac testing (when necessary). Your PCP will review these results, complete your physical exam, then will decide if you are healthy enough to undergo the procedure. We will notify the surgeon if you are or are not cleared for surgery.
Preventative Exam VS Medical Exam:
If you have a preventative exam (complete physical or gynecologic exam), this does not include any “medical” issues (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc.) you may have. In accordance with insurance billing guidelines, preventative exams and medical exams are two different services even if both are performed during just one visit. We do everything we can to collect payment from your insurance; however, for most insurance companies we do not have access to your exact coverage. There are times when one of these exams may not be covered or may go to your deductible and/or coinsurance.
What this means to you is that when you receive the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company, you may see two office visits charged. You may also see that your insurance company has assessed two copayments for one visit. It is our office policy to charge our patients only one copayment. Any amount that is shown as not covered – patient responsibility, deductible, or coinsurance, will be billed to the patient/insured.