AMY H. GORDON, M.D., LLC
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is a “retainer practice? Why did Dr. Gordon choose to practice with this model?
The practice is a “retainer” or “membership” model, in which each patient pays an annual fee to be a member in the practice and enters into a private contract with the physician.
Dr. Gordon chose to create this new practice based on her belief in the critical importance of melding both the art and the science of medicine to create the most effective patient care. Fundamental to this concept is the recognition that health promotion as well as disease prevention and illness management are best addressed in an intimate and caring collaboration, built over time, and unhurried.
2. I already have good health insurance–why should I pay extra to join this practice?
Even people with excellent health insurance can find themselves frustrated and overwhelmed in navigating their current medical care. While the insurer “covers” office visits and other services, patients often have difficulty in gaining timely appointments with their doctor, and rarely have adequate time for their concerns to be heard and addressed. Additionally, “covered exams” are often no more than a 15-minute wellness visit, not a traditional comprehensive physical.
Despite their best intentions, physicians are frequently left feeling rushed and are unable to fully address wellness and preventive health approaches. This results in patients, as well as physicians, feeling frustrated and disappointed.
Dr. Gordon’s practice is a return to a traditional medicine practice. There is ample time for new and follow up office visits. Appointments for acute issues are quickly available. Dr. Gordon is available to her patients by phone or email. She welcomes calls, especially ones that will alleviate a concern or allow a small issue to be addressed early to prevent a more serious condition later.
Dr. Gordon encourages patients to consider all aspects of their lives including diet and exercise and emotional and environmental stressors that may contribute to vulnerability to acute or chronic medical conditions. Dr. Gordon works collaboratively with patients to anticipate and identify risks and address ongoing medical conditions. Her intent is to assist patients in realizing their potential to live a healthy, vigorous and peaceful existence-at any age.
3. What services are included in the Annual Fee?
The Annual Membership Fee covers all of the following with no additional cost to you or your insurance: Annual Comprehensive Preventive Health Assessment including a Complete History and Physical Examination, nutrition and exercise counseling, immunization recommendations, wellness and lifestyle assessment and wellness counseling.
You will also receive five additional office visits per year. Dr. Gordon’s consultative services include telephone consultation for follow-up of medical issues or acute medical problems, review of test results and appropriate counseling, and coordination of your care with specialists or other providers.
Administrative Services include prescription refills- requests accepted via office email or office phone. Scheduling of appointments with physicians and facilities for tests and consultations. Prior authorization of medications required by your insurance company. Pre-authorization forms for medical services (except where in-plan physician referral is necessary).
4. What is the best way to reach Dr. Gordon for routine matters?
For routine concerns, please call the office during business hours. Email may be used, but emails received after 5 pm will be returned on or before the next business day.
5. How do I reach Dr. Gordon for urgent concerns?
For urgent issues during office hours please call the office.
Outside of office hours, please call Dr. Gordon’s cell phone for urgent issues.
Please note: If a patient has a concern that requires urgent evaluation outside office hours that cannot be resolved by telephone consultation with Dr. Gordon, she will assist in the appropriate referral such as Patient First or to a local emergency room.
If Dr. Gordon is unavailable by telephone (vacation/continuing medical education), she will arrange for coverage with a colleague who is a Board Certified Internist.
6. Are there additional services provided by Dr. Gordon that are not covered by the Annual Fee?
Additional services provided by Dr. Gordon outside of the scope of the annual fee are billed based on time and level of complexity. This includes office visits (in excess of 5 per year), hospital visits and house calls exceeding amount stated in contract.
7. If I am admitted to the hospital will my medical insurance cover this?
Your medical insurance will cover hospitalization as per your individual contract benefits allow (check with your insurance company for exact coverage). If you are eligible for Medicare Part A (hospitalization), nothing in Dr. Gordon’s practice agreement interferes with your Part A eligibility or coverage.
8. Will Dr. Gordon treat me while I am an inpatient?
Dr. Gordon is on the Active Medical Staff of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Patients will be admitted to the Johns Hopkins Hospitalist service. Although the Hospitalist will be the attending physician, Dr. Gordon will be in phone contact with the Hospitalist to help ensure that you receive the best care possible. She will also work to ensure a seamless transition from the hospital to your home. If you are admitted to another hospital, Dr. Gordon will be in phone contact with you and your medical team.
9. Are there additional fees for hospital visits?
As part of the contract, Dr. Gordon will provide three (3) in-hospital consultations if needed. If further in-patient visits are required, patients will be billed based on time.
10. What do I do if I need to see a specialist?
Dr. Gordon will coordinate your appointment with the appropriate specialist(s) to best address your particular medical condition. Dr. Gordon will closely monitor your progress while you are under a specialist’s care.
11. If I am in Dr. Gordon’s practice, do I still need my private medical insurance??
Yes. You will still need insurance to pay for diagnostic studies such as laboratory tests, and X-rays, and to cover specialist services and hospitalizations. Dr. Gordon will be able to order all of these things for you, even though she does not participate with Medicare or any private insurance. She will not, however, be able to write referrals for HMOs requiring an in-plan physician referral.
12. I have a Flex Spending or Medical Savings Account through my employer. Can I use this for the annual professional fee?
In many cases, yes you may. Please check with your plan administrator. By using pre-tax dollars designated for medical expenditures, you may be able to reduce your out-of –pocket expenses.
13. What should I do if I participate with an HMO?
Please check with your employer or health insurance broker. You may have the option to make another choice during Open Enrollment that will make it easier for you to participate with her new practice. It may also be possible to continue your HMO coverage and participate in Dr. Gordon’s practice. In that case, you will need a designated primary care provider who participates with the HMO to write any necessary in-plan physician referrals.
14. Can I cancel my Physician-Patient Agreement with the practice at any time?
Yes. You may cancel your Physician-Patient Agreement at any time by sending Dr. Gordon written notice (a) stating that you wish to cease using the Practice for your medical services and (b) requesting that a copy of your medical record be sent to either another physician or directly to yourself. If your Physician-Patient Agreement is terminated prior to your renewal date, a pro-rata portion of the Annual Fee (based on whole months remaining in the Agreement) or of the most recent quarterly installment of the Annual Fee if you have chosen to pay quarterly (based on whole months remaining in the quarter) will be refunded to you within ninety (90) days after the effective date of termination. If you have already received your Annual Physical Examination for the year, then $850.00 will be deducted from any pro-rata refund owed to you.
15. If I have any questions or would like to obtain more information?
Please contact Robin with any questions or to obtain additional information regarding the practice.
Dr. Gordon is committed to maintaining a small panel of patients to ensure personalized care and service. Contracts will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.
Amy H. Gordon, M.D., LLC
10753 Falls Road
Suite 315
Lutherville, Maryland 21093
Office Email: robin@ahgmd.com
Office Phone: 410-583-2770
Office Fax: 410-583-2773