What Does Establishing Care Mean?
Establishing care with an annual wellness exam allows your providers to see a full picture of your overall health and promotes safe, effective, and holistic care. You may need to meet these requirements before starting treatment with certain medications. Requirements for establishing care with us generally include one of the following:
Completion of an Annual Wellness Examination at Circle Medical
This can be either a virtual or in-person wellness exam at our practice within the last 12 months, classified under "Video Wellness" or "Annual Wellness" appointment types.
OR
Transfer of Medical Records from an Outside Primary Care Provider (PCP)
If you have an outside PCP, we require your medical records indicating an annual physical was completed within the last 12 months.
Circle Medical's Collaborative Approach
We are here as your healthcare partner, no matter where you receive care. While we love serving as our patients' primary care providers, we are aware that some patients have strong bonds with their existing primary care providers, while still turning to us for specific health concerns. In these scenarios, Circle Medical operates as a consultant or behavioral medicine specialist. In this role, we strive for:
Transparent Communication with Your PCP
When there's a change in your treatment plan—such as a new prescription or modification in medication dose—we keep your primary provider informed. This coordination ensures cohesive and continuous management of your care.Complete Knowledge of Your Health History
Regardless of whether we are directly treating a certain condition, understanding all of your diagnoses and medications is key to our patient-centered care. This comprehensive approach assures both safety and efficacy in your treatment.
In order to facilitate this communication, we may send and receive records between our practice and your outside provider(s). This is a standard, yet crucial, aspect of delivering high-quality medical care.
Why AWEs Matter
Empowerment Through Knowledge: AWEs provide crucial insights into your health. By reviewing factors like blood test results, we empower you with information about key health indicators, such as iron and vitamin D levels.
Preventative Care: Annual exams focus on prevention. By establishing a health baseline, we can monitor changes and intervene early, leading to better long-term outcomes.
Building Trust with Your Healthcare Provider: AWEs are an opportunity to build a lasting relationship with your provider. This familiarity ensures comprehensive care and a well-rounded view of your health.
Establishing care is designed to ensure both your safety and the effectiveness of your care. This strategy aligns with common practices among specialist providers, and is mandatory in many insurance systems.
Your understanding and cooperation as a patient helps us work together to achieve your goals. If you have any questions or need assistance with establishing care, our team of Patient Care Advocates is here to support you.
Important Note on Insurance
Most health plans cover AWEs fully. However, it's crucial to understand that discussions on non-preventative issues during the exam may incur additional costs as per your insurance plan. Also, it's important to make sure you understand your plan's eligibility criteria. Most plans only allow one annual exam per year (as the name suggests).