Guide to Patient Services

The following highlights the services we provide. If you have questions or suggestions about a service we do or do not offer please call us at 206-297-5100.

Preventive Care
Prevention of disease is an important step toward good health. When you become a patient at Swedish Community Health Medical Home, you will receive a thorough evaluation of your current state of health. Our physicians provide periodic physical exams for children and adults and will provide or refer you for age-specific, evidence-based screening exams that help find diseases in their early stages. You will also receive recommended immunizations based on your age and risk factors. Our physicians will help you find the best diet and exercise program to help you stay healthy.

Urgent Care
If you have an urgent need - a minor injury, allergic reaction or other acute illness - we'll do everything possible to see you on the same or next day to ensure you receive the care you need when you need it. Our physicians will prescribe necessary medications and arrange for your follow-up care as needed.

After Hours Care
If you suspect a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately. For all other needs, please call our office. A physician is available to talk to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These physicians have access to your complete medical record. If the physician believes you need immediate attention, you will be directed to the nearest emergency room and the physician will discuss your care with your emergency room physician. If you do not require urgent attention, the physician will advise you over the phone and arrange for a visit in our clinic as soon as possible. 

Chronic Disease Management
Our physicians are skilled in the management of diabetes, high blood pressure,  high cholesterol, arthritis, asthma, heart disease, chronic pain and many other common chronic conditions. Our physicians also provide basic mental health counseling and medication management. We will help you understand your chronic condition and work with you to manage it and optimize your health status. Group counseling will be available for diabetes, depression and anxiety.

Pregnancy Care
If you are pregnant or considering pregnancy, Swedish Community Health Medical Home physicians provide comprehensive pregnancy care including pre-conception counseling and prenatal, labor and delivery, postpartum and newborn care. If you are or plan to become pregnant, please contact us for more information about a payment plan for your prenatal and hospital care. If you need to be referred to an obstetrician during your pregnancy, you or your insurance company will be billed for that care. 

In-Office Procedures
To provide convenient and comprehensive care, our physicians can perform many common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures right in the office. You will not be charged extra for these procedures and services.

Please note that you or your insurance company will be billed for all health-care supplies and services you receive outside of our office, even if we order them. Examples include review of PAP smears by a pathologist, blood tests, IUD's, some splints, braces and supports.

The following is a list of procedures we provide in our clinic:

• Abscess drainage and care *
• Biopsy and excision of skin lesions *
• Blood pressure check
• Colposcopy *
• Cryotherapy for skin lesions
• Depo Provera injection
• Earwax removal
• Endometrial biopsy *
• Hearing evaluation
• Initial infertility evaluation and workup
• IUD insertion or removal (the IUD itself may not be covered depending on your insurance plan) 
• Joint injection and aspiration *
• Non stress test (NST) for pregnant patients
• PAP smear * 
• Peak flow testing
• Pulse oximetry
• Resting EKG (electrocardiogram)
• Splints, braces and supports
• Suturing of minor lacerations
• Toenail removal
• Trigger point injection
• OB ultrasound (limited to dating, position and AFI)
• Vaccinations (routine)
• Vision examination (not optometry)
• Wound care

* If specimens are sent to pathology, you will be billed directly by the pathologist. 

Laboratory Testing
Selected laboratory tests can be performed in our clinic. The cost of the following tests is included in your monthly fee:

• Finger stick A1C 
• Finger stick cholesterol
• Finger stick glucose
• Finger stick hemoglobin
• Microscopic evaluation for parasites
• Microscopic evaluation for yeast/fungus
• Pregnancy test (urine)
• Rapid strep testing
• Stool guaiac/hemoccult
• Testing for rupture of membranes (in pregnancy)
• Urine dipstick (not including microscopy and culture)
• Urine Tox Screen
• Vaginal pH
• Vaginal wet mount

If you need additional laboratory tests, the lab at Swedish Medical Center at Ballard will draw blood and collect other specimens. You or your insurance company will be billed for these labs and services. If you are uninsured or paying out-of-pocket, some lab tests may be available at discount prices.

Imaging Services
Swedish Community Medical Home does not provide imaging services. If your physician recommends an X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, mammogram, dexascan or other imaging service, we will refer you to Swedish Medical Center's expert radiologists or provide you with another appropriate referral. You or your insurance company will be billed for these services.

Prescription Medications
Our physicians will fax prescriptions for necessary medications to a pharmacy of your choice. Your insurance will be billed for these medications. If you do not have insurance that covers your medications, you may be able to get low cost generic medications at a pharmacy near the clinic. Generic medications will be prescribed only if they have been shown to be as effective as the more expensive brand medications.

Vaccines
The following routine vaccines are provided by Swedish Community Health Medical Home:

Vaccines for children and adolescents *

• DTaP (diphtheria/tetanus/acellular pertussis)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hib (haemophilus Influenzae type b)
• Influenza (flu)
• IPV (polio)
• MMR (measles/mumps/rubella)
• Meningococcal
• PCV (Pneumococcal vaccine for children)
• Rotavirus
• Tdap
• Varicella

* At the present time the State of Washington provides free vaccines for all children and adolescents, excluding HPV vaccines for girls ages 9 to 18. The clinic nurse administers these vaccines at no additional charge. This service will change on July 1, 2010, when free vaccines will no longer be available unless you have Medicaid, Molina or other insurance that covers these vaccines. If you are self-pay or have insurance that does not cover vaccines, there will be an additional fee for the vaccines, but not for the administration of the vaccines. Please ask us if you have any questions.

Vaccines for adults

• Pneumovax (pneumonia)
• Rho (D) immune globulin (RhoGAM)
• Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis booster)
• Td (tetanus/diphtheria booster)

Specialty Care Coordination
If you need more specialized care, we may refer you to a specialist skilled in your medical condition. We will partner closely with this specialist to optimize your health care. If you have insurance, we will try to provide referrals to specialists covered by your policy. If you are uninsured or paying out-of-pocket for your medical care, we will try to include options for referrals to specialists who may provide discounts.

Hospital Care Coordination
In the event you need hospital care, we will arrange for your admission to Swedish Medical Center (Ballard, Cherry Hill or First Hill) or to another hospital appropriate to your needs. Your physician will communicate closely with the hospital team and will help you understand your tests or procedures, medications and treatment options. Upon your discharge from the hospital, we will help arrange for close follow-up care.