IntegraCare Clinic — Patient Policies
To help us provide safe, timely, and appropriate care, please review our office policies regarding medications, appointments, referrals, medical records, and other patient services.
Medication Refills and Prescriptions
Routine Medication Refills
- Patients must have had a visit with the doctor within the past three months, measured from the date the refill is requested, to qualify for routine medication refills.
- Patients who have not been seen within the past three months may receive a one-month supply or enough medication to last until their next appointment, as determined by the doctor.
- The doctor may require an appointment sooner than three months based on the medication, the patient’s condition, or other clinical considerations.
- Steroids, antibiotics, and certain pain medications require an appointment before refills are issued.
- Patients must contact the office directly to request medication refills. We do not accept blanket or automatic refill requests from pharmacies.
Controlled-Substance Prescriptions
- New patients who have previously taken controlled medications or are requesting controlled substances must arrange for their pharmacy to fax records of prior use to our office.
- The doctor will review the patient’s history and determine whether the requested medication is medically appropriate.
- If the doctor determines that a controlled medication is not medically justified, the patient may be referred to a pain management specialist for further evaluation and recommendations.
Controlled-Substance Refills
- Patients requesting refills of controlled pain medications, including tramadol, hydrocodone, and codeine, must be seen in person for each refill.
- These medications cannot be refilled based solely on a telephone request.
- Other pain medications, such as meloxicam and methocarbamol, may be refilled without an appointment when clinically appropriate and approved by the doctor.
Appointments and Follow-Up Care
In-Person Appointments Only
- All appointments must be conducted in person. We do not offer telehealth appointments.
Hospital Discharge Follow-Up
- Patients discharged after an overnight hospital stay should schedule an appointment to see the doctor within one week of discharge.
- Patients who visit the emergency room without an overnight hospital stay are encouraged to schedule a follow-up appointment.
Referrals
- An appointment is generally required for referral requests unless the referral has already been discussed with the doctor.
- If a referral needs to be changed or resent to a different specialist, patients should contact their insurance company to identify an in-network provider.
- Patients should provide our office with the new specialist’s information so the referral can be updated or resent.
- Our office may provide specialist recommendations; however, patients are responsible for confirming network participation and coverage with their insurance company.
Laboratory Results
- Patients may request copies of their laboratory results from our office.
- Patients who wish to discuss their results with the doctor must schedule an in-person appointment.
Forms, Letters, and Disability Evaluations
Forms and Letters
- Requests for medical forms, letters, and other medical documentation require an appointment with the doctor.
Disability and Functional Capacity Evaluations
- Our office does not provide functional capacity evaluations (FCEs).
- We do not perform formal disability evaluations or determine a patient’s eligibility for disability benefits.
Medical Records
- A written authorization signed by the patient is required before medical records can be released.
- Medical records cannot be sent by email. Authorization forms may be sent and received electronically.
- Patients may access available medical records through our patient portal.
- Patients requesting a large volume of records or their complete medical record should contact the office for assistance.
- Printing, copying, and medical record handling fees may apply in accordance with applicable state law.
Death Certificates
- Death certificates will not be signed unless the appropriate police report or medical examiner’s report has been received and reviewed.
Communication With Family Members
- To protect patient privacy, the doctor does not discuss a patient’s medical care with family members over the telephone without appropriate authorization.
- Family members may accompany patients to in-person appointments, subject to the patient’s authorization and applicable privacy requirements.
- Any communication with family members regarding a patient’s care will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements.