Patient Information

We believe that wellness examinations — for patients of all ages — are an excellent resource for preventing disease and maintaining optimal health. Age-specific complete physical examinations are designed to review and identify your current medical status, past medical history, family history, and social considerations and recommended age-appropriate screening tests or vaccinations. Maintaining optimal health is best achieved when potential medical problems are identified in the early stages. You and your family members are encouraged to schedule regular examinations and to actively participate in decisions regarding your good health and medical care. If during your annual physical exam, we address your chronic health issues and address new concerns, we will “split bill” your visit as required by the insurance companies and applicable co-pays or deductibles will be applied based on your coverage.

New patients are requested to arrive 15 – 20 minutes early to complete the necessary registration process. Prior to your first appointment with FAMILY MEDICAL CARE OF SMITHFIELD, be sure to contact your previous primary care physician to request that your medical records be sent to us. Please bring the following to your first appointment:

• All medications you are currently taking – including any herbal remedies and over-the-counter drugs
• Your current insurance card
• A photo identification
• A list of allergies to medications and/or dyes
• Immunization Record for Children
• Payment for any required co-payments and deductibles

If you need to change your appointment, please provide as much advance notice as possible, so that we may adjust our schedule and care for another patient’s medical needs. If you fail to cancel your appointment with 24 hours’ notice or you do not show up for your appointment, we will assess a $50.00 ‘no-show fee’ that will be charged to your on-file card or billed directly to you.

Test results will be communicated to you by one of three ways– by telephone, patient portal, or during a scheduled follow-up appointment. If your test result is abnormal, we will call you to discuss follow-up testing and directions. We encourage all patients to sign up for our patient portal so you may receive direct communication from your provider regarding results and instructions. If you have not received your results within two weeks of the test, please call our office at (757) 357-3331, option 1. Do not assume”No news is good news.”

FAMILY MEDICAL CARE OF SMITHFIELD physicians have opted not to maintain hospital privileges at this time. If you require hospitalization for a serious illness, you may be referred to the area hospital of your choosing. Many of these hospitals have Hospitalist Physicians, whose sole responsibility is to provide care to hospitalized patients — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — thus your hospital physician is readily available during your stay. We will make certain that your transfer of care for your hospitalization is efficient and that your hospital- based physician has a complete list of your medical problems and current medications. Once you are discharged from the hospital, we will obtain a summary of your hospitalization and resume your care.