Office Closure

Due to the inclement weather, and for the safety of our patients and staff, we will be closed today, Friday January 19, 2024. We will reopen on Saturday, January 20, 2024, for urgent pediatric appointments, weather-permitting.

FACE MASK POLICY

Masks are required for all sick visits, or if you have been exposed to anyone with COVID in the last 10 days. Masks are optional for all other appointments.

Scheduling appointments in the Patient Portal

We have a limited number of appointments available for online scheduling. All new patients must call the office to schedule their initial appointment. If you are a current patient, and do not see an appointment with your provider that works for you, please call the office for additional scheduling options.

No Surprises Act Notice

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills

 

What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?

When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.

“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.

Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care—like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.

 

You are protected from balance billing for:

 

Emergency services

If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of- network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.

 

Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center

When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.

If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers cannot balance bill you, unless you give written consent and give up your protections.

  • You are never required to give up your protections from balance billing.
  • You also are not required to get care out-of-network
  • You can choose a provider or facility who is in your plan’s network.

 

When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have the following protections:

  • You are only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay out-of-network providers and facilities directly.
  • Your health plan generally must:
    • Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (prior authorization)
    • Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.
    • Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on  what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your explanation of benefits.
    • Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network services toward your deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

 

If you believe you have been wrongly billed by a Privia provider, please call a Privia patient financial specialist at 1-888-774-8428.

 

You can also visit www.priviahealth.com for more information about your rights under federal law

 

YEARLY PHYSICALS AND WELL CHECKS

With life beginning to return to normal, and children returning to school this fall, we would like to remind everyone of the importance of having their yearly physicals and well checks done. Please call our office to schedule your appointments today!

COVID VACCINE INFORMATION

COVID – 19 vaccines are currently available for all Marylanders ages 12 and up. To find a vaccination provider near you, please register at covidvax.maryland.gov.

Your health is our priority. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice social distancing.

MEDICAL RECORDS

Please be aware that pursuant to the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), health care providers may require payment for the preparation, copying, shipping and handling fees and charges before turning medical records over to a patient or other authorized individual, including other medical providers. The fee for these records is $ 0.76 per page, and may take up to 30 days from the date the written request is received.

Our office does not charge a fee for vaccine records, or for records pertaining to a specific issue being sent to a specialist as part of continuity of care. Records being requested by the patient, or being sent to a new primary care physician will be subject to the records fees.

Virtual Appointments and Phone Consultations

Please be aware that during the Covid-19 crisis, charges may be incurred for Virtual Visits and Phone Consultations. 

Weather Delays

Please be advised, during inclement weather days, the office may open later than usual or be closed for the safety of our staff and patients. If you are scheduled for an appointment on one of these days, please call the office to check the status of your appointment before attempting to come in.

Answering Service Phone Number

Our answering service phone number is 410.879.2983.