OFFICE RELATED
What is a Primary Care Provider (PCP)?
Primary Care is the first step in addressing your healthcare needs and preventing future complications.
Primary Care Providers will help you direct and coordinate all aspects of your health care – physical, emotional, and mental. They listen to your questions, assess symptoms, recommend treatment approaches, prescribe medication, and refer you to the proper specialists, treatments, and services when needed.
What medical conditions do you care for?
We treat all kinds of common everyday problems like colds, flu, strep, rashes, etc. We also treat more complicated long-term medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and thyroid disorder. If a condition requires more in-depth care, we will refer you to specialists who can take care of you.
What information is require to schedule an appointment in our office?
Please have the following patient information ready when calling our office to schedule an appointment:
What should I discuss with my provider?
Be open and honest with your provider regarding what’s going on with your health. Don’t hold back if something is bothering you. Any information you can give to the provider can help him/her assess better your condition. This information can have a positive impact on the care you receive.
Will I always see my own provider?
When you have an appointment with your provider, that is who you will see during the visit. If you need to schedule a visit and your provider is not available, we can schedule you with another doctor or a nurse practitioner in the office. It will help you to be seen sooner and taking care of.
How often should I see my provider if I consider myself in overall good health?
Seeing your Primary Care Provider once a year for a physical exam is an excellent way to manage your health if you have overall good health. Many health insurance plans classify an annual physical as preventive care and cover them at no charge. But if you have a chronic condition, it would be better to see your provider regularly to address and monitor your condition.
If I call with a question for the provider, when can I expect a call back?
Our providers are with patients throughout the day, so it is usually not possible for them to immediately answer phone calls. We will return your call in twenty-four (24) hours. To help us get back to you quickly, leave us your full name, date of birth, the reason for the call, and current phone number.
What happens if I need to see a specialist?
For insured patients, a referral to a specialist is made by your provider and paid by the insurance. We will help you to find the best specialists we know that will accept your insurance. We will communicate directly with the specialist to make sure they have all the information needed. Depending on the level of care and the expertise required, we may rely on them to help manage your treatment on an on-going basis.
How do I schedule transportation for appointments?
You should contact your insurance and confirm if they offer transportation for medical appointments. Usually, you may need to call the transportation service up to three (3) days in advance so they can schedule it for your next appointment.
Can I get a flu shot at the doctor’s office?
Yes, our patients can get flu shots in our office during flu season.
What if I need to be hospitalized?
Our skilled hospital-based providers, known as hospitalists, will care for you while admitted to Florida Medical Center. Our hospitalists will oversee your inpatient care and work with your Primary Care Provider after discharge. Also, Dr. Oscar Mendez has hospital privileges at Florida Medical Center, can admit patients and follow them in the hospital setting.
When you are admitted to the hospital, please identify yourself as a patient of our practice who wants to see one of our hospitalists. They will communicate directly with your Primary Care Provider and share details about your inpatient medical care.
IF YOU GO TO ANOTHER HOSPITAL:
Please notify your admitting physician we are your Primary Care Provider. Request them to call us at the time of admission. We want to be involved and aware of your care from the start. Please call our office to schedule a hospital follow-up as soon as you are discharged.
ON-SITE LABORATORY
Our on-site lab will draw blood work for patients who are part of our office. If you have an order from a specialist, we will draw the blood work for you.
Our staff will help you with your lab order, draw your blood and collect other specimens, in an anxiety-free environment.
How does insurance coverage work with lab tests?
Insurance plans vary and your coverage depends on your specific policy. While most tests are covered by insurance, you may want to contact your insurance carrier if you have any questions.
Why do I need to fast before some lab tests?
Some tests are accurate only if you have been fasting before having your blood drawn. If your provider tells you that you need to fast before your tests, you should not eat food or drink anything besides water. If your blood work is done early in the morning, DO NOT eat or drink anything besides water after midnight. You may take medications while fasting and you should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and help make your blood draw easier. If your blood work is done in the afternoon, please DO NOT eat or drink anything besides water for at least six (6) hours before the appointment.
Do I need to make an appointment for lab tests?
Appointments for our patients are required. “WALK-INS” are welcome; however, lab tests must be ordered by your provider.
What if I want to go to an off-site lab for testing?
If you prefer, you can go to an off-site lab such as LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, or any local medical center for your tests. Please notify us if you are going to an off-site lab to send the lab orders. Call our office at least one (1) week before your scheduled appointment. Contact the off-site lab directly to schedule an appointment and find out about their respective locations/hours.
How long does it take to get my lab test results?
We usually receive your lab results within seven (7) to ten (10) business days of the date of your test. Your provider will discuss the lab results on your next scheduled.
OFFICE HEALTH DISCOUNT PLAN
So how much does the Health Discount Plan cost?
Our office offers a Health Discount Plan that requires a non-refundable enrollment fee of $95.00 per year. The plan includes yourself (Primary Member) plus five (5) additional family members or friends who will receive the same discount as you. You will need to notify us who are the members you want to benefit with the membership.
The Primary Member makes the first payment of $145.00. The payment will include an enrollment fee ($95.00) and the initial consultation fee ($50.00). Charges are required to be paid in full before services are done.
Every time you visit the office, you will pay a consultation fee ($50.00). Separately, you will pay a reduced price on labs and some service(s) that you receive in our practice. The membership only covers services performed by our providers at MENDEZ MEDICAL CENTER and is renewable every year.
What does the Health Discount Plan fee cover?
The fee covers excellent primary care by our providers through office visits, which include services such as annual physical exams, chronic care office visits, and follow-up visits. The fee also covers direct communications with your provider via phone.
Our patients with the Health Discount Plan have access to discounted labs, medications that you can purchase in our on-site dispensary, and some imaging studies.
When do I pay my fees for non-covered labs and services?
Charges will be applied to your preferred method of payment (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and debit card) or collected in cash BEFORE receiving the service. We don't accept any type of check.
What if I decide to cancel?
We expect to have an open, honest, and respectful relationship with you. If you a complaint that we cannot satisfy together, we will gladly allow you to terminate your membership.