Sugarloaf Medical generally offers patients four types of visits: Annual Preventative Visits / Physicals, Visits for Management of Stable Chronic Disease, Acute Illness-Sick Visits, and Visits for Evaluation and Management of New Signs or Symptoms. Each type of visit is described in more detail below.
- Annual Preventive Visits / Physicals:
- Annual Preventive Visits / Physicals are recommended annually for all patients of Sugarloaf Medical.
- The annual preventive visits or physicals are often allowed by insurers once per calendar year. Some plans however may require one (1) year from the last physical. These annual tests are normally covered by most plans. Please check with your insurance if it is covered.
- Patients receiving their first Annual Preventative Visit / Physical are recommended to return for a follow-up visit to review the diagnostic results in person, to develop a treatment plan and follow up for abnormal findings, and to allow the patient to ask questions in person. If patients choose not to schedule a follow-up, they may still view results on the Patient Portal or a copy of the results can be mailed to them, and they can call the office at any time with questions.
- While we recommend a follow-up visit for first time physicals and new patients, this is not part of the physical exam and as such, copay, deductible and co-insurance applies.
- In preparation for your Annual Preventive Visit / Physical, please do not eat any food or drink any liquids (except water) for 10-12 hours. Please continue to take your prescribed medication and drink water as usual. If you are taking insulin please contact the office to make special fasting arrangements.
- Visits for Management of Stable Chronic Disease:
- Visits for Management of Stable Chronic Disease and follow-up visits will be determined based on the medical diagnosis and patient status. Visits for Management of Stable Chronic Disease and follow-up visits are usually scheduled for the entire year during the Annual Preventive Visit.
- Visits for Evaluation and Management of New Signs or Symptoms:
- Visits for Evaluation and Management of New Signs or Symptoms and visits for unstable or uncontrolled disease will vary. Undiagnosed signs or symptoms may require multiple follow-up visits until properly diagnosed and stabilized. Abnormal test results or diagnostic findings that require counseling, follow-up testing, the prescription of medications, or subspecialty care may require an office visit.
- Acute Illness-Sick Visits:
- Acute Illness-Sick Visits are usually scheduled for the next available appointment. These are usually quick visits for upper respiratory infections or acute non-life threating minor symptoms.
- If the issue is not resolved or the patient does not respond to therapy as expected, a follow-up visit is recommended.
- General Follow-Up Visit Information:
- Generally, patients are expected to follow-up with the therapy, diagnostic testing, and office visit recommendations
- Follow-up visit after initiating new treatment is usually recommended within 2-4 weeks to ensure adherence to the treatment plan, check for physical and clinical side effects, make dose adjustments as necessary, and evaluate disease control and medication effectiveness.
- An uncontrolled medical condition such as newly diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus or Hypertension may require multiple visits to adjust treatment to achieve control.
- Follow-up visits are often recommended on medical conditions to ensure control. Most conditions are controlled and not cured and therefor require regular visits to physician office, usually every 3, 4, or 6 months once controlled/stable depending on the number of conditions being treated, medication used, and status of the patient.
- Follow-up visits are common for abnormal laboratory test results or diagnostic imaging that may require repeat testing, further diagnostic work-up, or treatment.
- Follow-up visits are common for unimproved or recurrent conditions that are not responding to standard first line/common therapy.