Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Integrative Medicine?
   Unfortunately, modern medical sciences greatest weakness is in the area of chronic illness. Many treatments are only moderately effective and often with serious side effects. This leads many patients to seek complementary treatments many of which are unproven and may have little or no value. As a family physicians, trained to think in multisystems, our doctors offer expertise in both modern medicine and complementary treatment options. Our doctors review all your laboratory studies, radiological reports and consultations to be sure that a complete medical work-up has been done. In addition, our doctors review what areas of complementary medicine may be effective for you and advise you on the most cost effective plan to follow. They may suggest acupuncture, herbs or supplements, manipulation, food allergy testing, or homeopathy. If you need referral to a medical specialist or a person in a particular complementary medicine field, our doctors will refer you to quality practitioners in the Washington area while continuing to coordinate your care. They are happy to review with you treatment options you have found from other sources including the Internet, friends and written materials (i.e. books, magazines).
2. How does Steinmetz Medical use supplements and herbs, and how are they chosen?
   Supplements (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc.) and herbs are recognized as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for many diseases. At Steinmetz Medical, we integrate these treatments into your individual care. We base our recommendations on scientific evidence as well as extensive experience from other countries in the use of supplements and herbs for supporting the body in many disease conditions. In addition, we advise on types of preparations that are most effective and try to guide you to quality manufacturers of these products. Your chart is reviewed for any drug/herbal interactions. Herbs and supplements are generally safe. However, unsupervised use of these products often wastes patients' time and money and could result in serious injury or even death. Our primary goal is maintain good health with a healthy life style and the least amount of additional supplements either prescription drugs, over the counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbs.
3. What is Osteopathy?
   If you are like most people, you are probably unaware that there are two types of physicians. Both medical and osteopathic doctors:
   • complete four (4) years of basic medical education
   • Complete a residency of 2-6 years in their selected specialty (Surgery, Family Practice, and Psychiatry
   • Must pass national and state licensing examinations
   • Practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers
   Each year 100 million patient visits are made to doctor's of osteopathy.
4. Why should I have a family doctor?
   As health care gets more complicated, it is important that you have a doctor to call your own - someone who can see the whole picture and help you look at all possible options for your care. Family physicians help you stay healthy with an individualized plan of care. Family physicians know the key to maintaining long-term good health is the patient-physician relationship. Research shows that people who have an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician have better overall health outcomes; lower death rates and lower total costs of care.
   
   Unlike other physicians who specialize in treating one particular organ or disease, your family physician is uniquely trained to care for you as a whole person - regardless of your age or sex. In addition to diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses, your family physician provides routine health screenings and counseling on lifestyle changes in an effort to prevent illnesses before they develop. And, if a health condition arises that requires care from another specialist, your family physician will be there to guide you and to coordinate all aspects of your care. You and your family physician will work together to achieve the best possible outcome in the most cost-effective manner.
   
   Our doctors have years of experience in the community and if needed direct you to the best person to assist them with your care. In addition, we have the latest computer resources with an electronic medical record and access to the most up to date scientific information on current treatments right in the exam room. We represent the old time family doc but with the advantage of 21st century technology.
5. Why must I arrive 30 minutes to an hour prior to my scheduled appointment for my physicial?
   We ask all of our patients to arrive early so the nurse can conduct an interview with you and review your paperwork in preparation for your consultation. We want to provide you with the best service possible and that starts with the collection of information about you that will assist your doctor in understanding your healthcare needs.
6. Do I need an appointment to have lab work performed?
   No appointment is needed for routine blood work. Please arrive in the office between the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm., Monday through Friday. Please remember the nurses will be seeing to patients with regular appointments and you may not be seen immediately upon arrival to the office.
7. Why must I have my lab work through your office?
   Having lab work done at our office enables us to provide the quality medical care our patients expect. It is convenient for our patients and doctors, and it helps us to track what is ordered, when it is collected, sent to the lab and expected back from the lab.
8. Does the practice offer evening and weekend hours?
   The practice does not currently offer evening and weekend hours.
9. What happens if I need to speak with a physician after hours and on weekends?
   Steinmetz Medical Associates has an on-call physician during the evenings and weekends.
10. What happens if I need to be admitted to the hospital?
    Our physicians are always available to you if you are admitted to the hospital; however, you will be admitted under the responsibility of a hospitalist. A hospitalist is a physician based at the hospital, who is familiar with the workings of that particular hospital. They can help minimize your time in the hospital and coordinate care with your primary care physician. We have a collaborative agreement with hospitalists from INOVA Alexandria Hospital, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, and Virginia Hospital Center. Please identify us as your primary care physician so we can coordinate your care with the hospitalist.
11. Can I walk in to see a physician?
    All of our physicians see patients by appointment only. If you walk in and an appointment is available, we would be happy to see you
12. What if my primary care physician is not available to see me the same day?
    You will be able to see one of her associates.
13. How do I obtain copies of my medical records?
    Copies of your medical records may be obtained by completing an Authorization to Release Medical Records form. Please contact our office to obtain a copy of this form. There is a charge for retrieving, copying and mailing of medical records.
    
    By virtue of Virginia Statue Steinmetz Medical Associates, PC is custodian of the original records. Paper records are kept for a period of 10 years from the date of the last visit before being destroyed. The electronic medical records will be kept on magnetic media.
14. Is parking available?
    Yes, free parking is available on the premises.

Insurance / Billing FAQ's

1. What Insurance do you accept?
   The physicians are out-of-network providers with all insurance companies. The physicians have opted out of Medicare and Tricare. The physicians do not see Medicaid patients.
2. What is the best way to contact Steinmetz Medical Associates billing department?
   Please email questions to billing@caringdoc.com
3. How much does my insurance pay?
   Most carriers allow 70% to 100% of our charges. Blue Cross / Carefirst / Anthem allow 50%. Your reimbursement depends on your out of network deductibles.
4. Will my insurance cover a specific service?
   We are unable to determine what your insurance policy will and will not cover. Your insurance company can only determine this. You will need to contact your insurance company to find out your covered services.
5. What if my insurance does not pay by 30 days?
   You are responsible for payment and contacting your insurance carrier to facilitate reimbursement. State law requires insurance companies to process and respond to a claim within 30 days.
6. Do you file secondary insurance for patients?
   No, we file only to the primary commercial insurance for all of our patients. Most of our insurance claims are sent electronically. If you have Medicare, we will provide the documents for you to submit to your secondary insurance carrier.
7. What if my insurance denies payment?
   Mail, e-mail (billing@caringdoc.com) or fax (703-671-0680) the reason for the denial to us. We will review and do what we can to assist you in getting payment from your insurance company.