FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
About Concierge Care
How is concierge care different from a traditional medical practice?
In order to devote more time to each patient’s care and individual needs, we have intentionally limited the size of our practice. We also offer certain non-covered amenities and benefits designed to personalize and enhance the health care experience. In-office appointments will start promptly, with little or no waiting time; virtual visits via telemedicine are offered as an option upon patient request. This practice model also enables us to schedule longer patient appointments. If an issue requires extra time for evaluation or discussion, we will accommodate you to the best of our ability. Also, after hours for urgent issues, you will be able to contact us easily and directly.
Do I still need health insurance if I enroll with you?
Yes. Your annual fee only pays for the non-clinical, non-covered amenities and benefits that are described in the Highlights & Details document. Neither the fee nor the amenities take the place of general health insurance coverage. You are advised to continue your Medicare or other health insurance program coverage.
What if I have questions about my concierge enrollment or membership?
You can access your membership payment information, track invoices, download receipts, or update credit card information quickly and easily, at any time by using our Concierge Membership Portal located at the top-right of our website.
Need more help?
Please call (847) 432-4502 to be connected with Specialdocs Consultants, LLC, the outstanding company long respected for its expertise in concierge medicine which manages the membership aspect of our practice. They can help answer your questions related to enrollment, membership billing and renewals.
About Creekside Medical
What is "Med Peds"?
What is “Med Peds”? Each of Creekside Medical’s doctors are pediatricians who have been certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. They are also each internists who have been certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Our doctors have all completed an intensive four year residency combining training in Pediatrics AND Internal Medicine. Med/Peds doctors see the same types of patients as family and general practitioners. However, Med/Peds doctors receive more intensive training in pediatrics and internal medicine, enabling them to provide specialized care for the whole family. What’s exciting about Med/Peds doctors is that parents can have a board certified pediatrician for their children and can see the very same doctor as a board certified internist for their own health care needs.
What happens if a patient needs to be admitted to the hospital?
While the doctors at Creekside Medical all have admitting privileges at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital, we utilize the hospitalist team for both our Internal Medicine as well as our Pediatric patients, apart from newborns.
A hospitalist is a specialist who provides medical treatment to patients while they are in the hospital. They specialize in all aspects of a patient’s care – from admission until discharge. Because hospitalists don’t maintain a private practice, their time is devoted solely to caring for hospitalized patients. Should our patient’s condition change rapidly there is always a hospitalist on site who can assess the patient quickly. We work closely with the hospitalists and make every attempt to ensure that they have access to all information from Creekside that would be helpful in their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. The hospitalists keep us abreast of our patient’s hospital course so that we may work as a team, ensuring a smooth transition out of the hospital.
Where do I get my labs drawn?
Phlebotomy services are available 8am to 12pm Mon-Friday through quest labs.
Please call your insurance company PRIOR to your scheduled appointment to see which lab your insurance plan prefers.
Where do I get my x-rays and other radiographic studies done?
Again, please check with your insurance company to see where your coverage is best. Most of our patients get their studies done at Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital, or PeaceHealth Southwest Washington Medical Center.
What do I do if I have an after hours emergency?
If you believe that you or your child needs emergency care, please either call 911 or proceed directly to the emergency room—you do not need to call us first. We do our best to provide thorough advice during regular office hours. We respectfully ask that you limit your after-hours calls to issues that are urgent and cannot wait until the next business day. For any urgent need that cannot wait until regular clinic hours, please call the nurse advice line printed on your insurance card. If they direct you to call your doctor, then please call the clinic and the outgoing voice message will direct you to our answering service. They will promptly page the physician on call. Please note that we do not do routine refills after hours, nor will we call in antibiotics or narcotics under any circumstances.
What if I need forms completed?
There is typically a $25 dollar charge on all forms. Depending on how extensive the form is, there may be a greater charge. One exception includes sports physical forms, which we are happy to fill out for your student provided that they have had a complete physical within the prior one year here at Creekside. Another exception is Medication in School forms which can be filled out free of charge, provided we have seen your student within the previous year for their medical condition. Please allow us up to two weeks to complete your forms
What if I need to cancel an appointment?
Please contact Creekside Medical as soon as you know that you will be unable to make your appointment. We request at least a two business day’s advanced notice for cancellations and reschedulings. We make every effort to make sure appointments are available for you and your family when you need to be seen. When you call at least two business days in advance to cancel or reschedule your appointment, this allows us to offer that appointment time to other sick patients who would like to see their doctor. Missing appointments or not canceling with a minimum of one business day’s notice can result in being billed a $50 no show fee that your insurance will not cover.
My child needs a sports physical. How do I set this up and is there a charge for this?
We are happy to fill out your child’s sports physical forms during his or her general physical/well child check. Two weeks notice is requested for forms.
Who will I see when I make an urgent visit for illness?
We make every effort to schedule you with your primary care provider. However, if he or she is unavailable, you may be offered an appointment with one of his or her partners.
How do referrals work?
We would like to see you in our office before we refer you to a specialist to decide if there is anything we can offer for your medical issue. Many insurances require a referral from your primary care physician, and may not pay for your referral if you have not been evaluated here first. Creekside Medical’s referral coordinator will handle your referral. While we make every effort to ensure that the doctor to which we are referring is covered by your insurance, it is ultimately the patient’s responsibility to make sure the specialist is covered under his or her plan.
What is your policy on antibiotics?
Each of the doctors at Creekside Medical believes in the judicious use of antibiotics. Antibiotics only work for bacterial infections, not for viral infections. Prescribing antibiotics when they are not necessary will not only NOT help you heal faster; it will increase your chance of developing a serious antibiotic-resistant infection and may cause you unnecessary side effects.
What over the counter cough and cold products do you recommend?
The FDA has removed over the counter cough and cold products for children under the age of two. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against the use of these products in children under the age of six, as these products have never been proven to be of benefit in this age group and are potentially harmful in overdose. Nasal saline, bulb syringe, and a cool mist humidifier may be helpful in children of this age group.
Can I just bring my child in for shots without a physical?
Although, vaccines are an important part of a well child check, we do much more at your child’s physical than administer vaccines. This is an important time to assess growth, development, health, and safety. For this reason and to ensure we have reviewed your child’s immunization record and determined which shots are due, we administer routine vaccines during a well child check. If your child is unable to receive shots the day of their physical, we will arrange a visit for him or her for the necessary shots. As a general rule we do not do immunization-only visits for children who have not had a physical within the previous year.
What are some of the services provided at Creekside Medical?
- Well woman, pap smears, and routine gynecologic care (with the exception of obstetric care, IUD placement, and diaphragm fittings)
- Annual physicals for men
- Well child checks
- Newborn care
- Chronic disease diagnosis and management
- Sick visits
- Health education