Quaker Medical Policies
Based on information from clinical studies, provider expertise, and patient feedback, the following policies have been developed and put in place as best practices.
Quaker Medical has these policies in place to encourage a positive patient experience. Policies improve our workflow which in return helps the practice to run smoothly, and, more importantly, helps us to provide our patients with safe, quality care.
Policies are listed here in the interest of clarity and transparency.
ANNUAL PHYSICALS POLICY
Quaker Medical has partnered with your insurance carrier to improve the quality of healthcare. It is our policy that all of our patients both adults and pediatrics are seen on an annual basis. Our schedule is always open for the following year, so please schedule your physical at the time of check out, otherwise our staff will be reaching out periodically to schedule your next appointment.
Childhood is a time of rapid growth and change. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and numerous other professional sources, children should have a yearly well visit until age 21. The medical community believes so firmly in the importance of these well visits that they have become one of the few medical services for which there is no copay.
Failure to adhere to this policy could result in a discontinuation of care. Thank you in advance for seeing your provider on an annual basis and entrusting us with your health.
WALK-IN POLICY
Quaker Medical is not a Walk-In clinic. If you have an immediate and unforeseen injury or illness, and the time needed to contact your physician may result in permanent damage to your health, you should seek treatment from the nearest emergency room or call 911 for assistance. If you need to schedule a sick appointment, then please call our office and follow the prompts to discuss your symptoms with our clinical staff, at which point we will discuss your needs of seeing a provider. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
INSURANCE
We participate with most local and many national insurance plans.
It is your responsibility to understand whether your insurance has limits on the doctors you can see, or the services you can receive.
Once provided with complete and accurate insurance information, we will submit claims to your insurance carrier. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be responsible for co-payments, co-insurance, or other deductible amounts which are due at the time of service. We accept Cash, Check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Please contact our billing office at 716-662-8510 or call your insurance carrier should you have questions.
If you do not have insurance, or your coverage has lapsed call our office to see what options you may have.
FORMS
Effective October 1, 2018, Quaker Medical Associates will require a form fee of $10.00 for all forms. Please allow our office 7-10 business days to complete the form request. Expedited forms can be completed in 1-2 business days for a fee of $25.00, Same Day guaranteed forms are a fee of $50.00. Payment is expected in full at the time of the request. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
PATIENT PORTAL
The patient portal was designed to communicate with the staff at Quaker Medical for non-urgent issues only. You can access your medical chart by signing up for the patient portal by calling 716-662-8510 option 4. Our representative will provide you with an activation code today!
LATE TO APPOINTMENT
If you are 10 minutes late for your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule. If the physician’s schedule allows, you may be able to be seen later that day or the next, however, this will not always be possible.
Our office strives to stay on schedule, as it facilitates higher quality care and lower costs. One or two late patients cause the entire daily schedule to fall behind. We ask that you are punctual to your appointments. The physicians, staff, and your fellow patients thank you.
MISSED APPOINTMENT OR “NO-SHOW” POLICY
While we make every effort to provide a reminder call at least 24 hours before your appointment, it is ultimately the patients' responsibility to remember the appointment date and time. We do charge a $50 missed appointment fee to patients who do not keep their scheduled appointment time or who cancel less than 24 hours in advance. All fees must be paid before a new appointment can be scheduled.
After (3) missed appointments, the practice may, at its discretion, choose to discontinue your care. Patient non compliance is taken very seriously as it impacts the quality of care you receive. We strive for excellence, and highly encourage our patients to keep their scheduled appointment times.
OUT OF STATE PRESCRIPTIONS
Quaker Medical Associates will only prescribe to pharmacies within the State of New York.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AGREEMENT
Every patient who is prescribed a chronic controlled substance medication, such as an opiates, stimulants, mood enhancers, sleep aids, and all others not listed here are required to sign the Quaker Medical Controlled Substance Agreement. No Exceptions. This agreement is a patient/provider contract which states the patient agrees to medication adherence as prescribed by their provider and consent to random urine toxicology screenings at the discretion of the practice.
Please refer to your insurance carrier for information regarding billing questions/coverage pertaining to these screenings.
YEARLY CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA URINE TESTING
Quaker Medical will, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) screening guidelines, test the urine of all individuals aged 13-24 at least yearly for chlamydia and gonorrhea infections.
Please refer to your insurance carrier for information regarding billing questions/coverage pertaining to these screenings.
PRESCRIPTIONS OVER PHONE
Quaker Medical Associates does not prescribe medication for illness over the phone. We want to see you to ensure you are receiving the correct treatment.
Exceptions:
Urinary tract infections in women over the age of 21 without concerning symptoms
Pink eye
Probable strep throat when a household contact was had a very recent case confirmed by testing