FAQs
For Facilities:
Q. Does Physicians Eldercare follow patients in hospitals?
A. No. Physicians Eldercare works with local physician practices to provide hospital services when needed and if a hospitalist is not available. These arrangements can provide a smooth transition between the hospital and the long-term care facility. The name of the Physicians Eldercare clinician and our telephone triage number should be included with the contact information that accompanies a resident to the hospital.
Q. How are referrals to specialists made?
A. Physicians Eldercare relies on its physicians to recommend specialists to residents. Our clinicians respect the ultimate decision of the resident, family and facility in making these decisions.
Q. How does a funeral home get in touch with Physicians Eldercare after the death of a resident?
A. The funeral home should forward the death certificate to the facility where the person resided and the physician will sign it on their next scheduled day.
If a signature for a “cremation” death certificate is needed, call our office at (336) 251-1114 and press 0 for the operator, who will provide a fax number for you to send the certificate for the physician to sign.
For Residents and their Families:
About Resident Care
Q. How often does a Physicians Eldercare clinician visit each nursing home or assisted living center?
A. At each facility we serve, the level of care we provide and the frequency of our on-site visits is determined by the needs of residents. In most cases, members of a Physicians Eldercare team visit a facility multiple times each week.
Q. How can I contact a provider for an appointment?
A. Please contact your nurse in the facility where you or your loved one resides and request that an appointment with your physician or physician extender be scheduled the next day they are in the facility.
Q. Does Physicians Eldercare follow patients in hospitals?
A. No. Physicians Eldercare works with local physician practices to provide hospital services when needed and if a hospitalist is not available. These arrangements can provide a smooth transition between the hospital and the long-term care facility. The name of the Physicians Eldercare clinician and the telephone triage number should be included with the contact information that accompanies a resident to the hospital.
Q. How are referrals to specialists made?
A. Physicians Eldercare relies on its physicians to recommend specialists to residents. Our clinicians respect the ultimate decision of the resident, family and facility in making these decisions.
Insurance Information
Q. Who pays for Physicians Eldercare services?
A. Fees for Physicians Eldercare’s services are billed to the individual’s insurance company and/or to the individual themselves. The Patient Information Sheet, once signed by the legally responsible party, allows Physicians Eldercare to bill Medicare, Medicaid or any other insurance company and to balance bill the patient if needed.
Q. Will insurance cover the entire bill?
A. Most insurance companies do assign a patient liability for services, such as a co-payment or deductible. A call to the insurance company should provide an answer on eligibility and coverage. Physicians Eldercare is a contracted provider for Medicare and Medicaid. For PPO and HMO insurance plans other than Blue Cross/Blue Shield, such as PARTNERS, the responsible party must notify the plan and request a change in the primary care physician. For help with questions, call Physicians Eldercare at (336) 251-1114, option 2, between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Q. Can the co-payment be waived?
A. Insurance companies and federal regulations require service providers to bill for co-payments. Failure to bill for co-payments assigned by insurance companies is considered insurance fraud. Physicians Eldercare is permitted, however, to waive co-payments on a case-by-case basis for individuals who demonstrate that they do not have the financial resources to pay the co-payment. For individuals who do not qualify for waiver of co-payments, payment plans can be arranged by calling Physicians Eldercare at (336) 251-1114, option 2, upon receipt of first bill.
Q. What about self-payment?
A. Residents who are classified by the facility as self-pay may be considered for our indigent care program. Application may be made by the financial POA through the facility admissions office.
