1. What is an infectious disease?
2. What is an Infectious Disease Physician?
3. Will I still need my family physician?
4. Do I need a referral?
5. How do I schedule an appointment?
6. What information do I need to bring to my first visit?
7. What are your payment options?
8. What can I expect during my first visit?
9. How can I get a prescription refill?
10. How can I get my medical records transferred to another office?
1. What is an infectious disease?
An infectious disease, also referred to as a communicable disease, occurs when an organism, such as a virus, bacterium, fungi or parasite, invades your body. While many microorganisms colonize in our bodies and are usually harmless or sometimes helpful, they can sometimes cause disease. Learn more about how infectious diseases are transmitted and if you are at risk for developing one on our “What is an Infectious Disease?” page.
2. What is an Infectious Disease Physician?
An Infectious Disease Physician is an Internal Medicine doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. They have completed at least four years of medical school and postgraduate residency in Internal Medicine, as well as an additional two to three years of infectious disease specialty training. Infectious Disease Physicians are skilled in treating infectious diseases that may affect anywhere in the body including the sinuses, heart, brain, lungs, urinary tract, bowel, bones and pelvic organs.
3. Will I still need my family physician?
Unless your Infectious Disease Physician is your primary physician, you do need to continue seeing your primary care provider. These follow-up visits will likely continue until your infection has been cured.
4. Do I need a referral?
Yes, you will need a referral from your primary care physician or specialist in order to schedule an appointment with our office.
5. How do I schedule an appointment?
In order to schedule an appointment, you will need a referral from your primary care physician or specialist. Either your doctor can fax the referral form to us or call our office to schedule an appointment for you. In the event you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, we ask that you provide us with at least a 24-hour notice.
6. What information do I need to bring to my first visit?
We ask that you arrive 15 minutes early as well to complete the necessary paperwork to assist us with delivering optimum care. Some important items that you need to bring with you include:
- Photo ID
- Insurance card
- Co-pay
- List of symptoms
- List of medications
- Prescription bottles with instructions for daily dosage
7. What are your payment options?
We accept cash, check and major credit cards for your convenience. While it is the patient’s responsibility to be familiar with his/her insurance coverage, our staff will help you file insurance claims as a courtesy. We request co-pays be paid at the time of your visit. If you do not have insurance, please contact us to discuss payment options. Please visit our payment portal for online payment options.
8. What can I expect during my first visit?
Infectious diseases can be contracted in many different ways, so depending on how you may have contracted the disease will determine what type of exam will be performed to achieve an accurate diagnosis. We will thoroughly discuss your medical history, symptoms and current medication you are taking. Possible blood tests, and x-rays may be ordered. We will also like details about your history with being around other ill people, recent travels, foods recently eaten or insect or animal bites you may have received. All the information collected during your first visit will assist us in determining an accurate diagnosis.
9. How can I get a prescription refill?
If needing a prescription refill, please contact your pharmacy directly. Please allow 72 hours for request to be processed. A follow-up appointment may be required before medication can be refilled.
10. How can I get my medical records transferred to another office?
In order to protect your confidentiality and to uphold HIPAA Guidelines, we are required to obtain a Medical Records Release form that has been signed and dated by the patient before we can release any and all medical records.