We are committed to helping our senior patients lead active, healthy lives. That means we work with you to create a plan of care that is focused on your specific health needs and making sure that we are aware of any changes. Seeing one of our providers on a regular basis allows us to focus on your wellness goals and manage any chronic conditions with constant oversight and intervention.
If you are not feeling well, we encourage you to call us or stop by Ideal Express Care during business hours. No appointment is needed.
If you visit an emergency room, please call our office and let us know. It is important you schedule an appointment shortly after your visit to the ER so that we can see how you are doing and to manage your care.
If you are being hospitalized or need to go to a rehab facility, please call our office and let us know. We want to collaborate with your hospitalist (the physician that manages your care in the hospital). And when you are discharged from a hospital or rehab facility please make an appointment with us as soon as possible. We leave openings in the schedule to accommodate same day appointments.
For your convenience, we offer many services at our office including laboratory draw, spirometry and ePrescriptions directly to your pharmacy of choice. In addition, sign onto your patient portal to receive your health information quickly.
Medicare
“Welcome to Medicare” Prevention Visit
Once you have enrolled into Medicare Part B you can schedule your “Welcome to Medicare” prevention visit. There is no out-of-pocket cost for this visit as long as you are seen by your provider within 12 months of your initial enrollment.
The www.Medicare.gov website offers lots on information on how to navigate Medicare. Here is some helpful information to get the most out of your “Welcome to Medicare” prevention visit as recommended by Medicare.
What to expect during your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit
Your provider will
- Record and evaluate your medical and family history, current health conditions, and prescriptions.
- Check your blood pressure, vision, weight, and height to get a baseline for your care.
- Make sure you’re up-to-date with preventive screenings and services, like cancer screenings and shots.
- Order further tests, depending on your general health and medical history.
Following the visit, your provider will give you a plan or checklist with free screenings and preventive services that you need.
What to bring to your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit
- Medical records, including immunization records. Gather as much medical information as you can to make sure nothing is overlooked.
- Family health history. Try to learn as much as you can about your family’s health history before your appointment. The information will help you and your provider better understand what screenings you need to get and what to watch for in the future.
- Prescription drugs. Bring a list of any prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements that you currently take, how often you take them, and why.
Medicare and Prescriptions
Medications can be expensive. That is why we will work with your health plan to maximize your Medicare Part D benefits. In addition, we will try to prescribe medications that are found on your formulary and order generic medications whenever possible. Remember you have a limit to your pharmacy benefits.
If you have a lot of medication expenses, you may enter the Doughnut Hole. The Donut Hole or Coverage Gap is the portion of the Medicare Part D plan where, after a certain point, the Medicare beneficiary is 100% responsible for the costs of the medication. Once you go over that amount you will be out-of-pocket until you reach the maximum allowed for out-of-pocket contribution to prescription medications. At that point you will automatically receive “catastrophic coverage.” This coverage phase assures you only pay a small coinsurance amount or copayment for covered drugs for the rest of the year.
If you are in the doughnut hole, don’t panic there are some things we can do to assist you in keeping your prescription expenses affordable so that you can continue taking your necessary medications as needed.
Have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our team members while you are at the office or by phone. We are here to help you.