Frequently AskedQuestions |
|
- When is the clinic open?
- What services are available at the clinic?
- What options are there to pay for services?
- Can I get my medications there?
- How long does it take to get an appointment?
- What if a patient is Spanish-speaking only?
- Who does PVMC share my health and financial information with?
- Can PVMC be my Primary Care Provider?
- What if I need to go to the hospital or require a specialist?
- Do I have to live in the Pecos Valley area to get services at the clinic?
1. When is the clinic open?
The Medical clinic is open 5 days a week with hours from 8 am – 6pm on Monday through Thursday and Friday from 8 am – noon. The Dental clinic is open 4 days a week with hours from 8 am – 6pm Monday through Thursday.
The answering service responds when the clinic is not open and will refer patients to either 911 or contact a nurse or doctor if appropriate.
The clinic may close for trainings or special circumstances, in which case advance notice is given, and posted on the doors and voice mail. The Ambulance Service operates 24 hours/day, 7 days per week.
2. What services are available at the clinic?
The Medical clinic provides primary care services for all age groups, including routine health maintenance, interventional treatment for moderate conditions, treatment and management assistance for chronic conditions, and protocol directed emergency care.
The Dental team also provides primary, preventive and emergency dental care including hygiene, fillings, extractions, crowns, and dentures. The Ambulance Service responds to 911 calls anywhere in the western county area and along I-25, and provides back up at fires and other emergency situations.
3. What options are there to pay for services?
PVMC is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and is truly committed to providing high quality medical and dental care regardless of a person’s ability to pay. As such, we accept nearly all insurance coverages, we have patients who are self-pay, and we are able to offer an income-based “sliding fee scale” that will reduce the cost of services by 20 to 100% depending on your income; this is possible because we receive federal and state grants to subsidize the cost.
PVMC will set up payment schedules through the patient advocates or the finance office, allowing time to pay balances. We also have some funds available to offset costs of necessary lab, x-ray, and other diagnostic and treatment costs when needed. Ambulance charges are set by state regulation and are somewhat more difficult to work with, but cost should never be a deterrent to requesting needed emergency health assessment or transport.
4. Can I get my medications there?
Yes, most of the time. The clinic operates a small pharmacy stocking frequently prescribed medications for patients, particularly those without insurance. Providers also write prescriptions for patients to fill at commercial pharmacies if they prefer. As a FQHC, PVMC is able to purchase medications at substantially reduced prices and provide them to patients passing on that savings, often at less than an insurance co-pay.
5. How long does it take to get an appointment?
Usually, same-day appointments are available but, depending on the reason for the appointment or the preference for a specific provider, it may be several days. For the dental clinic, preventive hygiene work may be scheduled several weeks out.
Time is always available for emergencies and the Ambulance Service is on call for transport of medical or dental emergencies if necessary.
6. What if a patient is Spanish-speaking only?
All of PVMC services have qualified Spanish-speaking staff available to translate for and communicate with patients who are Spanish-speaking only to make sure that a family member or friend is not placed in that confidential situation.
7. Who does PVMC share my health and financial information with?
Without your personal authorization in writing or an Order from a Court with jurisdiction, we release your information to no one. Like all healthcare providers, PVMC is bound by the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA). We do share information in the aggregate such as numbers of patients seen, levels of care, diagnoses, and payment sources with federal and state health departments and funders.
8. Can PVMC be my Primary Care Provider?
Yes. All of our medical providers are credentialed to be PCPs with nearly all insurance carriers in the state. One of many benefits of being a clinic setting is that you may designate your PCP/Medical Home, but if he or she is not available, your records are available for any other provider to provide appropriate evaluation and treatment as necessary.
9. What if I need to go to the hospital or require a specialist?
Our medical and dental providers work closely with every type of specialist in order to refer you to, coordinate care with, and follow up on any medical or dental condition requiring a specialist. In addition, the medical providers work with the hospitalists at St. Vincent’s, Alta Vista, UNMH and other acute care facilities in the state where emergency, surgical or other in-patient services are provided.
10. Do I have to live in the Pecos Valley area to get services
at the clinic?
Absolutely not. Although our location is designed to be accessible for local residents and visitors, we have patients that come from all parts of the state because they appreciate the quality of service and personal attention. We also receive thanks from occasional visitors to the area – whether at Glorieta Retreat or fishing up at the Jack’s Creek area – who have needed our services.