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How does a concierge practice differ from a traditional practice? What am I paying for? What do I do when I need to see a specialist? What if I have to go into the hospital? Where do I go to get lab tests, x-rays and other diagnostic services? What if I need prescription medicine? What if I move away or leave Signature Health? Will you be able to see my family members that are visiting me from out of town? Will I have access to my records? How do I communicate with Signature Health? How do I schedule an appointment?
How does a concierge practice differ from a traditional practice? In a traditional medical practice a doctor serves thousands of patients. The doctor has a limited amount of time to devote to each scheduled appointment, making it difficult to address all concerns and questions of each individual patient. Patients often face long waits when scheduling appointments and inconvenient delays in crowded waiting rooms. Signature Health is a patient-oriented, membership-based practice which limits its total patient base to only 600 individuals. This design allows for same or next-day appointments and adequate time with Dr. Spiegel. Because of this exceptional environment, you will have your questions and concerns addressed by your doctor without feeling rushed or ignored. Wellness and prevention are stressed in conjunction with ongoing or acute illness. What am I paying for? (A wellness physical exam is one that is provided to you not in connection with any illness or injury. The wellness physical will not include any item of service that is covered by your health insurance or Medicare, which will be billed to your insurance company or Medicare). Do I still need my insurance? Does my insurance cover my membership fee? No. Neither Medicare nor private insurance will pay for or reimburse a patient’s membership fee at Signature Health. Signature Health has been advised that the payment of your annual fee may qualify to be paid by or through certain tax-favored health plans or accounts, like a Health Savings Account (HSA). However, whether or not you are permitted to pay your annual fee by or through such a plan or account is up to you and your tax advisor (and your employer if your particular plan is employer- sponsored). What do I do when I need to see a specialist? Dr. Spiegel will coordinate your care with the appropriate specialist(s) to best address your particular medical condition. You are encouraged to continue seeing any specialists that you currently see. Dr. Spiegel has a full spectrum of specialists he consults with and will be able to closely monitor your progress while under a specialist’s care. Signature Health hours are 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Thursday and 8:30 to 12:30 Friday, closed over the 12:00-1:00 hour. Accommodations are frequently made on a case-by-case basis for after-hours visits. Dr. Spiegel is available 24/7, except under special circumstances (i.e. when Dr. Spiegel is on vacation). What if I have to go into the hospital? Dr. Spiegel will admit and supervise patients at St Vincent's Hospital Birmingham. If a patient chooses a different hospital for an admission, Dr. Spiegel will arrange for a hospitalist physician to supervise care and he will serve on a consultant basis to ensure appropriate management and progress. Where do I go to get lab tests, x-rays and other diagnostic services? We operate a full service medical office and provide a number of in-office tests when appropriate. We can also draw blood samples for laboratory testing. EKG’s and spirometry can be done in-office as well. For advanced diagnostic tests, we will work with your insurance provider to find the most appropriate and convenient provider and location. Radiology services will be referred to outpatient diagnostic locations. Insurance will be billed for these covered services and are not covered by the annual fee. What if I need prescription medicine? Often we can give patients starter samples for long term prescription medication. In the long run, prescription coverage via your insurance is the most appropriate method of sustaining medication supplies. You will be able to request refills from a secure web site by email. What if I move away or leave Signature Health? May I come in for a tour or informational meeting? Dr. Spiegel and his staff will arrange a tour and discuss our services at your convenience. Please call us and arrange a tour. Will you be able to see my family members that are visiting me from out of town? At Signature Health, the concept of family is very important and, like you, we desire the best medical care for our families. With that in mind, we will make arrangements to see the visiting family of our members in times of need. The family of our members will be charged for the visit (which we will submit to their individual insurance providers) but they can expect the same level of care and service that our members enjoy. Dr. Spiegel is board certified in Internal Medicine. The focus is on adult medicine. Dr. Spiegel will see children the age of 16 and older. In fact, teenagers and college students belonging to Members of Signature Health will be seen without an annual fee. Usual charges for medical care will be submitted to insurance. Will I have access to my records? Yes. Each member will have access to a secure web site with their medical history and medications. The site will be accessible anywhere there is web access. Therefore, if you are traveling and have to go to a hospital or emergency room, your history and medications will be available to your physicians if you give them access. In addition, you will be able to view your lab and radiology studies online after Dr. Spiegel has first reviewed them. How do I communicate with Signature Health? Signature Health will be accessible by phone, text messaging, fax, and secure email. Members will be given cell phone access to Dr. Spiegel. How do I schedule an appointment? You actually have two ways to schedule. The first is the traditional method of calling the office for an appointment. The second method is through the secure web site where you will be able to see the schedule and what appointments are available. You will then be able to reserve an appointment online. |
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