A: Premier Patient Healthcare is a full service medical management company focused on delivering exceptional individualized, personal medical care to its members. What we have to offer is a return to old fashioned, patient-based medicine after years of insurance dictated, volume-driven treatment. We present our members with solutions to their frustrations related to the current healthcare crisis by making available enhanced services above those of a traditional primary care practice. In order to provide such exceptional services, we believe that it is important to remain focused on our core values. Patients come first—Premier believes that it is time to focus on you. A typical primary care physician has more than 3000 active patients. Premier will limit enrollment to 600 patients per participating physician, thus allowing us to exceed expectations by providing the physician with the time to focus medical attention on your issues. Multiple issues can be addressed, and therefore you are not forced to schedule more appointments and take time out of your busy schedule. Your time is valuable—we realize that your time is important and thus we allow you to schedule day or next day appointments, as well as schedule as much time as you need with your physician. Premier and your affiliated physician will always be available to you. Patients are provided access to their participating physician 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Premier provides the amenities that enhance the primary care experience.
A: Premier contracts with SFM to provide medical, insurance liaison, clerical and nursing support services, and office space. Premier physicians work for SFM. Since July 2006, Dr. Montalbano has been exclusively seeing Premier members limiting his practice to 600 Premier patients. In the spring 2009, at the request of his patients, Dr. Brideau contracted with Premier to provide services through the Premier Patient Healthcare model, but in contrast to Dr Montalbano, also sees patients through Springfield Family Medicine while also balancing his hospital responsibilities. Dr. Brideau will provide support to Dr. Montalbano when patients need to be seen and Dr. Montalbano is unavailable due to illness or vacation and vice versa.
A. Of course. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your health care needs and the benefits of a Premier Patient Healthcare membership. You may schedule a consultation with one of our patient liaisons by calling (703)373-3718. Our “Meet the Doc” visits are encouraged prior to signing up with the practice to discuss practice style, and assure mutual compatibility.
A: No. As these terms are generally used, they refer to a new approach to practicing medicine whereby physicians focus greater attention on wellness and preventive care through enhanced services to augment physicals, nutrition counseling, lifestyle improvements, etc. Due to the additional time allotted to each patient for this approach, physicians limit the size of their practice. In exchange for enhanced services, members pay an annual membership fee.
A: Premier Patient Healthcare will allow you access to an enhanced primary care experience. Our participating physicians will focus on you. In addition to wellness and preventive care, the limited number of patients that each physician may enroll affords several enhancements to the way you have experienced the interaction with your physician in the past. Your membership fee ensures:
• 24/7 physician access via cell phone, as well as access via e-mail or fax
• Same day or next business day appointments for any medical reasons
• Unhurried, 30 minute minimum appointments
• Your physician will conduct personalized research on your medical concerns
• Premier Health Record Captured in an Electronic Format – facilitating portability.
• Secure website access to request appointments, prescriptions or ask medical questions
• Newsletters covering topical and preventive healthcare issues
• Free Cosmetic Consultations. In addition, members get 15% discounts for professional services contracted for when you sign up for laser, Botox, Juvaderm skin fillers, customized Weight loss programs.
• Support personnel dedicated to assist members
• Private waiting area with access to internet, phone and refreshments
A: Currently, you may only need to see your physician when you are sick or need an annual exam. However, the Premier model allows you and your physician to focus on preventing illness and maintaining wellness, so you don't have to be sick to benefit. In addition, illness is unpredictable. If you do become ill, your physician will be available immediately. For many people with busy lifestyles, one of the biggest benefits to being a member is knowing that you have quick and easy access to your physician.
A: Yes. If you spend a portion of the year out of the area, we will coordinate your care with physicians and hospitals in that area. Additionally, we have the ability to provide your physician in Florida or elsewhere with an electronic version of your medical records to help ensure continuity of care among your providers. Further, remember we are only a phone call or email away or you can access our secure website to communicate specific health questions to your physician.
A: Please call Premier Patient Healthcare at (703) 373-3718. Our staff can forward you more information including a membership packet, as well as arrange a no obligation “Meet the Doc” visit with a tour of the facilities.
A: Yes. You may join us at any time, but each participating physician’s enrollment will be limited to 600 patients. You may join anytime as long as the panel is not full. We encourage you to make the decision soon. We will maintain a waiting list once we are fully subscribed.
A: Annual membership fees are as little as $4.00 a day. The annual membership fee is $1500 for each member. If both parents enroll and pay their $1500 fee, their children age 5-18 are enrolled in Premier for free.
A: Yes, and at the anniversary date of each successive year, we will bill the membership fee to the patient’s credit card to prevent a lapse in Premier service coverage. For your convenience, you may pay your initial membership fee by check, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard are accepted), but ask that a credit card number be provided for renewal purposes.
A: You may cancel your membership at any time and your annual membership fee will be refunded pro-rated on the length of your membership participation. A 30 day written notice is usually required.
A: Commercial medical insurance policies do not cover the annual membership fee. However, corporate benefit plans may reimburse all or a portion of the annual membership fee. Such plans include health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and medical savings accounts (MSAs). Your benefits administrator can tell you if this would be covered in your particular plan.
A. For many members the annual membership fee may be tax deductible. Please consult with your tax advisor for a final determination.
A: Yes, the membership is not a substitute for health insurance. All benefits provided by Premier Patient Healthcare are considered non-covered services and are not paid by commercial insurance plans. In addition to the annual membership fee, all members will continue to pay for medical services as they do in the current fashion. For example, our participating physicians will still bill insurance for office visits, hospital visits, consultations, lab fees and diagnostic fees and we will accept assigned payments for covered services and you will still use your health insurance for services outside our participating physician’s office such as specialist visits, hospitalization, lab tests, x-rays and prescriptions. Please be reminded that you will still be responsible for non-covered services according to your Premier physician’s standard policy with respect to such non-covered services. Your Premier physician will continue to accept insurance, including Medicare. Springfield Family Medicine participates in several major insurance plans. For questions regarding insurance coverage, please call (703) 373-3718 and we would be pleased to help you.
A: Although Medicare rules and guidelines are quite complicated, we do have the ability to accept you as a member, subject to Medicare regulations. Medicare will not be billed for the amenities that are included in the annual fee, because they are not a covered benefit under Medicare. Other services, such as office visits for primary medical care, will be charged as usual, co-insurance and deductibles will remain unchanged. As in the past, you may use your Medicare coverage for laboratory fees, X-rays, other specialist physician services and hospital services.
A: It is important to remember that we are not a substitute for calling 911 if a true emergency exists. However, if there is an unclear emergency situation, a call to your Premier Patient Healthcare physician is justified to help triage your situation. Your treating Emergency Room physician should be encouraged to contact your Premier physician for medical information and updates on your situation.
A: Dr. Montalbano admits his patients and will serve as your Medical Attending Physician at Inova’s Mount Vernon Hospital. If you are admitted to a hospital where Dr. Montalbano is not on staff, he can, with your permission, interface with your Attending Physician at that hospital and can play a role as your advocate.
A: In regular practices, patients reach the office’s on-call physician who may not know you and only provide emergency consultation. However, with Premier Patient Healthcare, your personal physician will be available for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During regular business hours, you can reach us at our office number. If you need to reach you physician after hours, you will be provided with your physician's personal cell phone number and email address. If your physician is not immediately available, he or she will call you back promptly. If your physician recommends you go to the hospital Emergency Room, he or she will be in close contact with the treating physician and will see you there if necessary.
A: It will be a rare case when your doctor is not available. However, at the times when your personal physician is not available, Premier Patient Healthcare designated physicians will be available as on-call backup coverage.
A: You can request appointments at any time online or you can schedule appointments by calling our office during normal business hours. For your convenience, you will have the ability to schedule same or next day appointments.
A: First of all, schedule an appointment electively with your Premier Physician. He has experience in matching your particular needs with the right specialists. Then our staff can assist you with obtaining specialist appointments.