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OFFICE VISITS EXPLAINED

You may find that your doctor or provider does not attend every office visit. And when you expect them to be there, it can be frustrating when they are not. Below, you will find an explanation of the types of office visits so that you know what to expect when you come in for your appointment. 

  • How do I contact my doctor? What if it’s after business hours?
    Call us at 970-259-3110. While our doctors are on the move seeing patients, a knowledgeable staff member often has just the answer you’re looking for. When they don’t, we’ll work to communicate with the docs themselves as soon as they can spare a moment between patients.
  • Do you accept my insurance?
    We accept most insurance carriers including Medicare and Medicaid. Check with your insurance provider or online tools to verify that we are in network. The LPFM team will confirm your insurance as part of the registration process. Be sure to bring along a copy of your insurance card to your appointment. Uncovered balances and copays are due on the day of service.
  • Can I schedule a consultation?
    Absolutely. We’re always happy to see new faces, and welcome the opportunity to learn about your health history, goals, and needs. As we get to know you better, we get to provide better and more customized care.
  • How do I get prescriptions refilled?
    A little notice goes a long way, as your doctor will need time to review and approve your request. Give us a call, allowing up to 72 hours processing time.
  • How do I request medical records?
    We're serious about protecting the confidentiality of your health information, which means several steps are involved before we hand over medical records. For this reason, please allow up to five days for fulfillment when you ask for your medical records. Call 800-560-3800, Ext 2.
  • When can I expect a call back after leaving a voicemail?
    We strive to answer your call live, however, during high call times we might not always be able to get to you right away. We are committed to return 100% of voicemails within 4 hours or by the end of the day, whichever is sooner.
  • What if I miss my appointment?
    In an effort to improve patient access, if you are unable to make it to an appointment and must cancel or reschedule, we request that you notify us, at minimum, 24 hours in advance. Services, if not cancelled per our office policy, or missed entirely, will be considered a no show which will incur a $25 fee. Three no shows in a running 12-month period will result in dismissal from our practice. In the best interest of all our patients, we have adopted this policy to ensure that open appointment time slots can be offered to other patients who may need them. We recognize that life happens, and sometimes things beyond your control will prevent you from making it to your scheduled appointments. We will review each of our patients no shows on a case-by-case basis to ensure dismissal is warranted and to give our patients the benefit of the doubt.
  • What if my bill doesn’t look right?
    If anything on your bill looks amiss, call 970-375-3637. While we do our very best to minimize mistakes in the first place, our billing team members are pros at righting wrongs. They’ll walk through your bill, identify errors, and make corrections ASAP.
  • I was seen by a doctor at this practice a few years ago – Why am I considered a “new patient?""
    If you have not seen one of our doctors in the past three years you will be considered “new” to our practice. All we would need out of the ordinary is your patient intake forms filled out again.
  • What if my diagnosis requires specialized care?
    Medicine is not one-size-fits-all. In some instances, to give you the best outcome possible, we call on the help of specialists. Together we’ll find the right expert for you and partner with them in seeing your treatment all the way through.
  • Are there resources available to help coordinate my care? Do you have anyone available to help me manage my conditions?
    Yes. We have a full team available to provide extra help in between visits with your doctors to coordinate referrals and orders, to coach diet, exercise, and track health related data.
  • If I see a different provider within the practice, can they see my health history and current treatment plans?"
    Yes. You can count on continuity between providers in our office even if you aren't seeing your usual provider at our office.
  • How do I provide feedback about my office visit and care?
    We take your feedback seriously. You will get a link for a survey associated with your visit. Please take time to fill this out and it will be reviewed and actions taken as necessary. To submit annonymous feedback, you can fill out "secret patient form" which will be reviewed by the Patient and Familiy Advisory Comittee team. You may submit your form by mail or by dropping it off at the office with ATTN: Quality Team.
  • How can I get involved / help / influence change at LPFM?
    Consider membership to the PFAC team (Patient and Familiy Advisory Comittee). This team meets at least quarterly, works on ways to improve La Plata Family Medicine, and acts as the "voice" of the customer.
  • Is your practice affiliated with another organization?
    No. We are an independent primary care practice, providing quality care for our community.
  • Is 316 Sawyer Drive, Durango, CO your only location?
    Yes. We have been located in Durango, CO at 316 Sawyer Drive since 2014. This is our only location.
  • Does your office participate with Colorado Immunization Information System?
    Yes, we participate with the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS). CIIS allows our providers to view vaccine history from you/ your child's past as well as receive recommendations for vaccines to administer based on CDC guidance. Immunization records are confidential, personal medical information and as such are subject to Federal standards. Click here to find more information about CIIS.
  • Does La Plata Family Medicine participate in any Health information Exchanges?
    At La Plata Family Medicine, we participate in CORHIO. COHRIO allows our providers to connect our digital records system with healthcare providers across Colorado regardless of where you go for care. Examples of providers we would receive/ share information digitally with include: Physicians Hospitals Behavioral and mental health centers Long-term care Home health Hospice Labs Imaging centers Urgent care clinics Emergency medical services You can find more information about CORHIO here. While we request that our patients participate in COHRIO to improve our providers' access to important medical information, we understand patients may want to understand more information about their rights to opt out. To view our immunization registry notice, click here. To opt out of the immunization registry, click here.
  • Does my provider participate in an Accountable Care Organization?
    Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are groups of providers that voluntarily work together with the goal of providing higher quality and more coordinated care. As your primary care provider, it is important to us that you receive the right care at the right time, and it helps us avoid unnecessary duplication of services. Click here to read more information about our participation in an ACO.
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