Anne Marie's vision of quality health care has helped to focus her practice on her primary goals of respectful and compassionate care, ample time with her patients, and affordable health care for women age 12 and up. While the necessary, quality medical equipment, supplies, and procedures may be the same as other health care providers, her focus on patient care means there may be many differences in what you can expect during your visit.
Everyone likes to know what to expect, especially when visiting a new health care provider, so below you will find helpful hints about what a typical visit may be like and how you might compare it to your previous health care experience:
Once you have made an appointment, you will receive some forms to collect your general health history and perhaps details about your specific concerns. You should return the forms in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. You have almost certainly filled out forms like this many times (perhaps frantically while sitting in a waiting room) and may wonder why you have to often answer the same questions on several pages, what some of the questions actually mean, or whether anyone actually looks at these forms. You should find that the forms you receive do not ask the same question over and over, and you can feel free to simply circle any questions you are unsure of. Since Anne Marie will review your health history with you in person, you can be sure that these questions are resolved and that Anne Marie gets a good understanding of your health history.
Once you make your appointment, we will determine what services and tests your visit is likely to include and we will collect any health insurance information. You'll receive a letter confirming your appointment and it will include an estimate of your payment for the services and tests, and whether we will be able to send billing information to your insurance, whether we can assist you with filing for reimbursement from your insurance benefits yourself, or whether you may qualify for discounted fees for direct payment of charges. While other health care providers may have contracts with insurance carriers that handle all of the billing, it often prevents you from knowing in advance what your portion of the cost will be and may affect your treatment. Anne Marie hopes that her lower fees will be reasonable for all patients with or without insurance billing, wants you to make informed decisions about your care, and prefers to keep insurance carriers out of your medical decision making.
When you arrive, Anne Marie will plan to see you immediately at your appointment time. There is no reception desk, or waiting room, or staff to measure your height, weight, and blood pressure. Anne Marie will spend time with you to review your concerns and medical history, perform a physical exam as needed, discuss your treatment options, and arrange any tests or follow-up appointments. In the unlikely event that Anne Marie is still with a patient when you arrive, there will be clear instructions on the door about where you can relax briefly until she is available. Patient care and privacy is the highest priority.
You may be surprised how small the office is, since it is designed to provide only the office space for consulting with you and an exam space for examination and treatment. You will not be directed to exam room #12. Most health care providers maintain at least 3 exam rooms per provider, so that patients can be "stacked" so that the provider can move quickly from one patient to another. Your time with Anne Marie will be your own, and her goal is to spend the time needed to provide you with the best care. Keeping her office small and reducing staff means that she can charge lower fees and spend more time with patients.
Before you leave, Anne Marie will accept your payment for services, supplies, and tests by cash, check, or credit card. A detailed receipt will be mailed to you. If the office will be sending billing information to your insurance carrier or helping you file for insurance reimbursement yourself, that information will be sent out to you with your detailed receipt.
One of Anne Marie's goals is to serve all patients, regardless of their ability to pay for services. She maintains and contributes to a fund to help cover the cost of services, supplies, and tests for those without financial means. If you would like to help Anne Marie meet her goal of serving all patients, you will be invited to make a contribution to the fund in whatever amount you can manage.
Anne Marie knows that the only way a health care provider can know whether their diagnosis or recommended treatment was effective is to follow up with the patient. For many conditions or treatments, don't be surprised if Anne Marie calls or emails to check on your progress. Most health care providers gather feedback on their diagnosis and treatment of patients only when the patient takes the initiative to contact the provider. Anne Marie is genuinely interested in following your progress to wellness, and believes strongly in follow-up with patients.
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