Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the patient portal?
Sign in with practice code: FIIGCA
If there are any issues with signing in, please call the office to make sure that your account is web enabled.
You can also download the Healow app for easy access on your mobile device: App Store
What ages do you see?
Family Medicine encompasses all ages. However, we do not keep vaccinations for newborns up to age 2 in the office. If you want to schedule Well Child Checks for that age range, be aware that you will need to go to the Health Department for those vaccinations.
Where do I go for blood work?
We work with outpatient lab companies. Labs are sent electronically to one of the following:
You may go to any of the listed locations for your lab company. Labs for an upcoming appointment need to be performed at least 5 business days before your visit.
We can offer strep, flu, and pregnancy testing in office. We do not do Covid testing.
Does your office complete FMLA, Short Term or Long Term Disability Paperwork?
No. If you need paperwork completed for an extended leave of absence from work, check with your human resources department for a facility that can complete that for you.
After Hours Care
When the office is closed the on call service is available for emergencies. The on call service will triage most medical issues. If the on call service determines that your issue needs additional care, an on call provider will contact you.
Bad Weather Days
We make every effort to staff the clinic on bad weather days, but in the event that the weather makes it unsafe for our staff to be in the office, the clinic may close. Thank you for your understanding.
Missed Appointments and Late Arrivals Policy
The physicians and staff of Lake Arlington Family Medicine make significant effort to assure that we respect our patient’s time and maintain a reasonable appointment schedule. We avoid overbooking of patient appointments and schedule the appropriate amount of time to manage the patient’s designated condition. Because we do limit the number of appointments, it is important that all patients commit to keeping their appointments as scheduled. A missed appointment may prevent a sick patient from obtaining immediate care. The following guidelines apply equally to Telehealth/Virtual Visits. All patients that are unable to maintain a scheduled appointment are instructed to call Lake Arlington Family Medicine 24 hours in advance to reschedule or cancel the appointment. Failure to notify the physicians office within the 24 hour period will result in a NO SHOW fee of $50 . This fee will not be billed to the insurance carrier and is the patient’s responsibility. Patients that miss three or more appointments without notice will be subject to termination from the practice. This applies to the patient’s entire household. Patients that arrive 15 minutes or more past their scheduled appointment time may be required to reschedule their appointment or may be seen as a work in appointment. Patients that have arrived as scheduled will be seen with priority. If the schedule is full and conditions do not allow for work ins, the late arrival may be asked to reschedule to a different date. We do appreciate your assistance in maintaining an accurate appointment schedule and will continue to do our best to honor your time.
Do you do weight loss management?
Yes. Maintaining a healthy weight is an important factor in overall wellness. With a combination of diet, exercise, and medical interventions, many patients have had success improving their health through weight loss. Medical interventions may include, but not be limited to, an injectable prescription or a compounded variation of that prescription. Many insurances will not cover weight loss services, especially if Lake Arlington Family Medicine is not the primary care provider on your plan. If you choose to pursue a weight loss journey with us and your insurance does not cover it, there is the option to pay for services out of pocket. It is the patient's responsibility to know their insurance coverage.
How do I get a referral to a specialist?
Some insurances do not require a referral from us to see your specialist. If your insurance company does require a referral, then we can provide that for you. First, in order to provide the referral, the specific medical issue for which you are being referred must have been discussed with your physician at an office visit. If our office has not seen you for this issue, you will be need to schedule an appointment. Your provider will start the referral, and we MUST get it authorized by your insurance company before you can see the specialist, or you will have to pay for the visit out of pocket. Getting insurance authorizations can take up to a week. It’s up to your insurance company to approve the referral. If you change the provider after we have started the process, it will delay the referral. As soon as it is approved we will forward the authorization to your specialist.