How do I get a prescription refilled?
We recommend that prescription refills be arranged during your visit with the doctor when you have the full attention of your doctor and the benefit of your records. If you are running low on your medication, we encourage you to call our Prescription Refill Line (231-487-9705) and allow two-to-three business days for your request to be completed. The interactive voice mail box will prompt you for name, date of birth, etc., so that we may assure that the request is properly completed. You should contact your pharmacy to verify completion before calling our office back. Our staff will contact the pharmacy provider of your choice or mail your prescription, as requested.

Is my insurance plan accepted?
We formally participate in most major insurance programs including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network, Priority Health, Medicare, and Medicaid. We will submit insurance claims for you and payment, in most cases, will be made directly back to our office. You maintain financial responsibility for any co-payments, deductibles, and/or non-covered services and are expected to promptly remit payment. Please be aware that late fees may be added for accounts that age beyond thirty days. A Professional Limited Liability Corporation

What are your billing practices and financial expectations?
We hold the relationship between you and the physician or provider in very high regard. As a matter of practicality, we will assist to expedite claims through most insurance carriers to resolve the matter of financial liability. As a patient, however, you maintain ultimate financial responsibility for the services, including CO-payments, deductibles and/or noncovered services. Balances transferred to patient responsibility are to be resolved promptly. As a courtesy, claims to secondary insurance may be completed - you may be billed for the outstanding balance if your insurance company does not respond with payment. Late fees and collection fees may be added for accounts that are not resolved within a reasonable time period. Payment is expected at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made. The federal government has suggested that all medical providers have an internal corporate compliance program to monitor adherence with billing standards. We practice within the laws and regulations outlined by HCFA, and value proper billing and correct coding for our services. We encourage contact with our administrative offices if you have questions about our billing practices. You may also contact our Compliance Hotline at 1-800-710-8265 (reference code 2460). Our billing staff is available to assist you with any questions you may have about your account; you may contact them at 231-487-9704 during business hours.

What is an internist?
Internists are doctors for adults who have had intensive training to deal with all the medical and health concerns of adults. - no matter how simple or complex. The internists at Internal Medicine of Northern Michigan provide all aspects of health care from disease prevention to annual physicals including gynecologic exams, to management of ongoing chronic illnesses and inpatient care. When necessary, we refer patients to specialists for testing or treatments, but we always continue to follow the course of a patient¡¯s health care along with the specialist. An internist is an appropriate choice as a health care provider for anyone over the age of 18.

How do I establish myself as a patient?
Simply call Internal Medicine of Northern Michigan at 231-487-2460 during business hours.

If I'm an established patient, how do I make an appointment?
We encourage you to make your next appointment before you leave our offices. This ensures that you will get an appointment on a day and time that is convenient for you. If you do not have the opportunity to do this, please contact us as soon as you know you need an appointment.

What are your office hours?
Our offices are generally open Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (except holidays); other hours by appointment. In the event that the office is closed when you call, you will be given instructions and contact information to reach the physician on-call.

What if I have an urgent problem and need to be seen today or very soon?
Call Internal Medicine of Northern Michigan when an urgent health issue is suspected. You will be connected to a nurse who is specially trained and will discuss your health concern with you. Certain lifethreatening problems will be referred to the nearest Emergency Room. Otherwise, you will be offered an appointment either that same day or very soon, depending on the severity of the problem. We always try to have you see your regular physician. If your health concern should not wait and your regular physician is not available, the nurse may offer you an appointment with one of our other physicians or the nurse practitioner. To eliminate unnecessary waiting and inconvenience to our regularly scheduled patients, we do not encourage walk-in appointments.

How do I hear about results of tests that may be ordered?
Your physician or provider may order diagnostic studies at your visit. After collection of all test results (usually within two weeks from the last test), the physician or provider will generally write a letter and inform you of the outcome of the studies. In the event of an abnormal result, the physician will usually contact you personally.

What if I have a problem after hours?
If you are having a medical problem after our regular business hours, please call our main number for recorded directions and contact information to reach the physician on-call.

What if I need to be admitted to the hospital?
All of our physicians have full hospital and ICU (Intensive Care Unit) privileges at Northern Michigan Hospital. An internist is on-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week to admit patients to the hospital. If you are admitted by another physician, your doctor will be notified and will follow your care during your hospital stay. If your regular doctor is not available, an internist will take care of you until your doctor is available. For more information or to make an appointment, please call: 231-487-2460.