FAQs

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. 

Please see the Highlights & Details document for a complete list of amenities and benefits provided to our personalized care patients. Your annual fee pays for those non-clinical, non-covered services. Professional services that are covered by Medicare or a commercial insurance plan will be billed separately, and you will continue to be responsible for any applicable co-pays or deductibles relating to those services. 

Our office is located at 2057 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, AL 35244. 

All of the local hospitals now utilize hospitalists which means we do not admit to any hospital. Should you need to be hospitalized, we will be able to communicate with the hospitalists who care for you at Grandview Medical Center. If you are at any other hospital, we will do our best to make ourselves available to communicate with you and to serve as an advocate on your behalf, as hospital protocol allows. 

Our goal is to be available to our patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, there will be occasions when we are both out of town or otherwise unavailable. In these situations, a trusted colleague will serve as our covering provider. 

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. We do not participate as an in-network provider for BCBS of AL health insurance plans. 

We intend to remain in-network providers for Medicare and many major PPO insurance plans and will bill your insurance directly for professional services that are covered by those plans. (Professional services are not covered by your annual fee.) If the terms of your insurance plan require a co-pay, we are obligated to request payment at the time of service. Office visit fees that are not reimbursed by insurance will be the responsibility of the patient.

All medical procedures and services, whether performed in our office or by other providers or health care facilities, will be billed by the performing provider and/or entity. 

No. The annual fee is not covered by private insurance or by Medicare. 

In some instances, the annual fee, or part of the fee, may be payable through your HSA. You are advised to consult with your HSA or FSA plan administrator, employer, HR representative or tax adviser to clarify qualification in your particular circumstance. 

Your annual fee may be paid annually, semiannually, or quarterly by ACH bank account payment or credit/ debit card. The first payment will be charged upon enrollment. The remaining balance of your annual membership/enrollment fee (if any) will be charged automatically in installments, accordingly. Until we hear otherwise, payments will be processed continually. 

Yes. Paying your annual fee allows you to be a member of our practice and to be in touch with us whether you are sick or well. We strongly encourage you to utilize the benefits offered, regardless of your state of health, to proactively safeguard your well-being. 

Please know that you can contact us at any time. However, if you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. You can then call us or ask the hospital personnel to contact us so we may assist in your care. If you have a non-urgent problem, feel free to contact us first. 

If the problem is minor, call us first. However, if you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately – then you can call us. With the exception of controlled substances, we will seek to accommodate your prescription requests if state/local law allows. If you seek care at an emergency room or urgent care center out of our area, you should feel free to ask the doctor seeing you to call us for coordination of your care. If you should require hospitalization while away, at your request, we will attempt to establish regular phone communication with you and your attending provider(s) to ensure continuity of care. 

Should you request, we are available to help you decide which specialist to see and to coordinate such consultations. This will ensure the most appropriate resource is used, the earliest arrangements are made, and your applicable medical information is sent in advance of your specialist visit. 

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