| WELCOME!
Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group physicians and staff welcome you and your family to our practice.
Our mission is to provide superior healthcare that is responsible, physician-directed, and dedicated to keeping our patient’s best interest foremost.
Our team of expert physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, medical assistants, diagnostic staff, and non-clinical staff all work together to provide you and your family consistent, compassionate, high-quality medical care. We pride ourselves on being compassionate and patient-friendly, and we are dedicated to helping you and your family maintain optimal health.
Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group, formerly Tidewater Primary Care Physicians, P.C. was formed in 1992. Our group began with four primary care medical groups in Newport News and Hampton, Virginia. Today, TPMG includes 65+ primary care and subspecialty physicians in multiple locations, who provide care to patients from throughout southeastern Virginia.
Our physicians have long-standing relationships with the patients they serve and are well-respected for their medical and community leadership.
We are committed to provide our patients, neighbors, friends and families outstanding health care that meets and exceeds your expectations. We appreciate your confidence in us and we feel privileged to serve you.
Top
Your Appointment
It is our policy to care for patients requiring immediate medical attention as soon as possible. Our office staff is trained to ask pertinent questions about your illness or injury. When calling to schedule an appointment, please be thorough in explaining your condition so that we may schedule the appropriate amount of time for your visit. If you call to schedule a same-day appointment, please call early in the day.
Please be sure to bring all your medications, including any over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies that you may be taking to each appointment.
For subspecialists and the TPMG Diagnostic Center services, please obtain any required referrals from your primary care physician before your appointment. We request that you allow at least 3 working days for us to process your request for a referral with your insurance carrier. If you do not have the required referrals, you will need to either assume financial responsibility for the services we provide or reschedule your appointment.
Our physicians are committed to providing each patient the appropriate amount of time required for the evaluation of his or her individual problem. However, sometimes emergencies or events beyond our control will delay our appointment schedules. If this occurs, please know that we recognize the value of your time and strive to minimize any inconvenience to you. If your physician is significantly delayed, our office staff will make every effort possible to notify you prior to your scheduled appointment and offer you the option of rescheduling.
Top
Changing your Appointment
We understand that circumstances may arise that require you to reschedule an appointment. If you find it necessary to change your appointment, please notify our office at least 1 working day prior to your scheduled appointment, so that this time may be made available to another patient requiring care. TPMG reserves the right to charge for missed appointments.
New Patients
We hope that your first visit will begin a long relationship with us. New patients and patients who have not been to our practice within the past year are requested to arrive 15-20 minutes early to complete the registration process. Prior to your initial appointment, 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
- Your current insurance card
- Photo identification
- A referral from your primary care physician, if required by your insurance plan
- A list of allergies to medications and/or dyes
- Shot Record for children
- Payment for any required co-pays, deductibles, non-covered
services
New patients are encouraged to call their insurance carrier to verify that our physicians are currently participating with their specific insurance plan.
Top
Urgent Medical Conditions
In the event of a life-threatening or limb-threatening medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
During Office Hours: If you experience a sudden illness or injury during office hours, call our office. Indicate that you have an urgent condition requiring medical attention. We will either schedule an appointment for you on the same day or refer you to the appropriate provider.
After Office Hours: If a situation occurs after office hours that requires the attention of your physician, please call our office for instructions or to access a physician. Our on-call physician will respond to your call as soon as possible. If you do not receive a response within an hour, please leave another message with our answering service, as your initial message may not have been transmitted properly. Please remember that requests for medical services to our after-hours on-call physician should be for urgent situations only. Prescription refills and other non-urgent matters should be requested during regular office hours.
Top
If You Need Diagnostic Testing
For patient convenience, many TPMG practices offer on-site diagnostic services. Patient preference, insurance participation, and accessibility are the criteria used to determine where a patient is referred for diagnostic testing. Many of our patients choose the TPMG Diagnostic Center for x-rays, mammography, bone densitometry, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and, blood work and other laboratory testing.
The TPMG Imaging Center and Central Lab is conveniently located within Tidewater Medical Center at:
860 Omni Blvd
Newport News, Virginia 23606
(757) 873-1935
Patients will be notified by telephone, mail or during your next appointment regarding test results. If your results show evidence of an abnormality, we will contact you to discuss further testing or treatment. Depending upon your insurance carrier, you may receive a separate bill for diagnostic testing. If you have questions, please call your insurance carrier or the company that sent you the bill.
Top
Physician Recruiting
TPMG is always happy to discuss opportunities with physicians interested in our group and our region. Please contact our recruiting committee at Recruiting@tpmgpc.com or call our administrative office at 757.232.8764.
We are currently recruiting for Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Radiology, Orthopaedics, and Urology.
Top
Office Closings
Our offices are closed on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. To protect the safety of our patients and staff, we may change our office schedule during inclement weather. If you have any questions about whether our office is open, please call us to confirm your appointment.
If You Need a Prescription
For your safety, we ask that you be sure to bring all your medications, including any over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies that you may be taking to each appointment. In addition, be sure to inform us of any medications that you may be taking that were ordered by another physician.
Please request prescription refills during your office visit. If you are not certain if you have another refill remaining on your prescription, call your pharmacist. If there are no refills remaining, please call our office, during regular office hours, at least 5 working days before you deplete your current supply of medication, to allow adequate time for review of your medical record and to determine if a refill is warranted.
Many of our practices offer patients a Prescription Refill Line for requesting medication refills. Be sure to ask our front desk staff about this service. After your physician has the opportunity to review your medical record, we will call your pharmacy with the prescription order. If your physician believes it is in your best medical interest to be examined, prior to issuing a prescription refill, we will call you with further instructions.
When requesting a prescription refill, be sure to have your prescription bottle available when you call, so that you can provide the information necessary to complete your request. To minimize your waiting time, you may wish to call your pharmacist to make certain that your prescription is complete -- before going to your pharmacy.
If you utilize a prescription purchase service that requires special instructions, please inform us when requesting the refill, so that the prescription can be written to meet those requirements.
Federal Law prevents us from ordering refills for certain medications, such as narcotics, as well as pain and nerve medications over the telephone. To best assure our patient safety, it is our policy that we usually do not prescribe new medications without the benefit of a patient examination.
Please keep in mind that good medical care often requires the benefit of an examination before ordering additional medication.
Top
If You Need Hospitalization
Many of the TPMG physicians are active members of the medical staff at local hospitals and outpatient centers.
When non-emergency hospitalization is necessary, please remember that it is your responsibility to obtain any required approvals for hospital admission from your insurance carrier and your primary care physician, surgeon, or subspecialist
During your hospital stay, our on-call physician, or a hospital-based physician will visit you daily to assess your medical condition, make changes in your regimen, and order any testing that is necessary.
Prior to your hospital discharge, you will receive specific instructions regarding your follow-up care. Please follow all instructions very carefully. After you are discharged from the hospital, your follow-up care will be monitored by your primary care physician, surgeon, or other subspecialist. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call our office.
Top
If You Need a Subspecialty referral
When necessary, TPMG physicians consult with the appropriate specialists or other health care providers, and work together with these experts as a team to offer you the most up-to-date diagnostic services and treatment options.
If your insurance carrier requires a referral to a specialist, please call our office, before you go to a specialist. Most insurance carriers dictate that patients must schedule an appointment with their primary physician prior to obtaining a referral to a specialist. Otherwise, your appointment will be rescheduled or you will need to assume financial responsibility for the services provided by the specialist. Insurance contracts also prohibit primary care physicians from issuing retroactive referrals.
Top
Concerns About Your Condition
We are committed to address all of your concerns about your medical condition and care. During your visit, our physicians and nurses will take the necessary time to respond to your questions and to provide you pertinent education on your condition and treatment options.
If you have additional concerns after your office visit, please call us. Our receptionists will gather information regarding your inquiry and forward your message to the appropriate physician or staff member. We receive numerous telephone calls each day and respond as quickly and efficiently as possible to each. For many questions, good medical care requires that your medical records be reviewed by your physician, who may be with another patient when you call.
Depending upon the nature of your concern, one of our physicians or staff members will return your telephone call. Please provide our receptionist with a telephone number where you can be reached both during the day and in the evening. Telephone calls are generally returned following morning and afternoon appointments.
Please remember that oftentimes good medical care requires the benefit of an examination before a diagnosis and/or treatment can be determined.
Top
Wellness & Preventive Care
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. Maintaining optimal health is best achieved when potential medical problems are identified in the early stages.
You are encouraged to schedule regular examinations for yourself and your entire family. Please call as far in advance as possible to schedule a convenient appointment.
Top
Release of Information
Your private health information is strictly confidential and contains privileged medical information. To assure this confidentiality, information contained in your medical record will not be released to anyone, including your family members, without your written permission to do so. We recommend that pre-arrangements for the release of your medical information be discussed with your physician.
If you have advance directives such as an Advance Medical Directive or a Living Will, please provide us with a copy for inclusion in your private health information. It is your responsibility to help keep your private health information current. Please advise our staff of any changes in your name, address, telephone number or insurance carrier at the earliest opportunity.
We will gladly provide copies of your private health information for referring physicians or other medical professionals who may need them to provide you care. Please allow at least 5 working days to process requests for medical records.
We reserve the right to charge for copying private health information, as well as for preparing disability forms, insurance applications, and other written documents relating to your diagnosis and treatment. All private health information including x-rays performed at our office remains the property of TPMG.
Top
Patient Education
Patient education is an integral part of each person's treatment at TPMG. We encourage patients to take an active role in decisions regarding their care and the care of their family.
To promote informed health care decisions, we offer a wide variety of health related educational materials. Patients are encouraged to ask questions about their diagnosis, treatment, medications, and any supportive care that may be required.
Be certain to review your insurance policy and coverage for routine examinations prior to your appointment.
Top
Insurance Policies
Please present your current insurance identification cards to our receptionist at the time of each visit so that we may process timely insurance claims on your behalf. TPMG participates with most major insurance carriers and Health Maintenance Organizations. If you have any questions regarding our insurance participation, please contact our business office at (757) 232-8769.
As a service to our patients, we will file your primary insurance claims with your carrier. Please remember that your insurance is a contract between you and your carrier, and that you are ultimately responsible for the payment for all services provided to you. Patients are encouraged to become familiar with their insurance policy including its coverage, limitations, regulations concerning referrals and pre-authorizations and payment requirements. The more acquainted you are with the specific requirements of your insurance policy, the better we can assist you in fulfilling your obligations and receiving coverage.
Most insurance carriers require patients to pay a deductible and co-payment for their medical care. Managed care plans require the practice to collect the co-payment at the time services are rendered. If you are uncertain about the amount of these required payments, please review your insurance policy and coverage agreement prior to your appointment. Payment of all deductibles and co-payments is required at the time of each visit.
We do not routinely file secondary insurance. If requested, we will gladly provide you an itemized statement for you to send to your insurance carrier along with your reimbursement claim.
Your insurance carrier may determine that a service provided to you is considered to be non-covered, or because in their opinion, the service is not essential to the diagnosis and treatment of your illness. Rest assured that our physicians’ primary concern is that of your good health and wellbeing. Our providers only order diagnostic testing and treatments that, in their expert opinion, will benefit your medical condition. If we anticipate that a service will not be covered by your insurance, you will be asked to sign an “Advance Beneficiary Notice” that assigns financial responsibility to you for the service. Although TPMG cannot accept responsibility to negotiate a settlement with your insurance carrier, we will assist you in obtaining timely and appropriate reimbursement.
If you have any concerns about your insurance, please contact your insurance carrier. It is your responsibility to help keep your medical record up-to-date. Please advise us of any change in your name, address, telephone number or insurance carrier.
Top
Financial Arrangements
Fees for services at TPMG are consistent with those customarily charged at similar offices and facilities in the area. Charges are based upon the nature of the procedure, as well as the amount of time and professional skill that the procedure requires.
Payment from self-paying patients is due at the time services are rendered. Should a situation arise that requires special payment consideration, please discuss it with your practice Office Manager or the TPMG Billing Office Manager, who will arrange an individualized payment plan.
Patients involved in litigation are responsible for making payment arrangements prior to receiving services. If you have any questions regarding your bill from TPMG, or if you are uninsured or experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the TPMG Business Office at (757) 232-8777, so that we may help you establish a mutually acceptable payment plan.
All of the services provided to you from your TPMG providers will be consolidated on one statement. You will also receive separate statements from your other service providers, including specialists, reference laboratories and hospitals. If you have questions or concerns regarding your TPMG statement, please call our business office during working hours at (757) 232-8777. If you have questions or concerns about statements from other providers, please call them directly.
For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, money orders, VISA, and MasterCard.
We value the trust and confidence you have demonstrated by selecting Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group for your healthcare. If you have any compliments for our staff,
or suggestions on how we may best serve you, please let us know. We believe that the highest compliment we can receive is when you recommend us to your family and friends.
Thank you.
Business Offices
TPMG Administration
860 Omni Blvd, Suite 304
Newport News, Virginia 23606
(757) 232-8764
TPMG Billing Office
860 Omni Blvd, Suite 303
Newport News, Virginia 23606
(757) 232-8777
|
