Beaufort Memorial Primary Care
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, we are accepting new patients. Please
call our office at 843-522-7600 to set up an appointment. Each doctor
has a different availability for new patients.
What insurance plans do you accept?
We are contracted with most major insurance companies,
as well as with Medicare and some Medicaid plans. Please contact your
carrier to ensure that we are in-network providers. If we are not in-network
with your insurance provider we can still see you as a patient, but there
may be a higher out-of-pocket expense for you.
What should I bring with me to my first appointment with you?
On the day of your first visit, please arrive 30 minutes before your
appointment time in order to register and provide or update any information
that may be required by your insurance carrier. Please bring any pertinent
medical records with you, as well as your current medications, insurance
cards and a picture ID.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy is 24 hours. If you are
an established patient and arrive 10 minutes late for your appointment,
you will need to reschedule. New patients are expected to arrive 30 minutes
early for registration. If you have not arrived by at least 15 minutes
prior to the visit, you will need to reschedule.
How do I make a payment?
Co-payments and payments on an existing balance
are due at the time of your visit. We accept all major credit cards,
cash or checks.
Can I call during office hours to speak to the doctor or nurse?
Throughout the day the doctors and clinical staff are dedicated to caring
for patients in the office. If you call during office hours your call
will be handled by a staff member who can take a message and consult
with the doctor/nurse about your questions and call you back. Non-urgent
clinical questions will be answered within 24 hours.
Do you have same-day appointments?
Yes, we set aside time everyday for same-day,
non-emergent visits. If
there is an urgent need to see us the same day, please try to call at
the start of office hours (8:00 a.m.) and our staff will assist you in
setting up a same-day appointment. Certified Physician Assistant Jason
Wright is the newest member of our team and will frequently assist our
patients with same-day, urgent medical needs.
What is your medication refill policy?
Medication requests require at least 24 hours
to fulfill. Check your medication supply before each appointment
to arrange for refills while at the office. If you run out of medication
between visits, call your pharmacy. If the prescription needs to be renewed,
the pharmacy will contact the office for approval. We do not renew routine
prescriptions or narcotic prescriptions after hours. You may leave a
voice mail message with your pharmacy so that your prescription can be
refilled during usual business hours.
How do I get my test results?
Our office will notify you of your test results and/or the need to make
an appointment with the doctor by phone or in writing. If you have
not been contacted within two weeks of your test, call the office at
(843) 522-7600.
What is the process for obtaining a referral?
Should you need the care of a specialist we will
put together your medical information and fax it to the doctor of your
choice. The doctor’s
office will then call or fax you to schedule an appointment, or send
us back an appointment time and we will contact you. If you have not
heard from our office or the specialist’s office within one week,
please call our office. If an authorization is needed from your insurance
company, please mention it to our staff and we will take care of that
for you.
What do I do if I need a vaccination?
Our office offers several vaccinations including flu, pneumonia and shingles.
These vaccinations can be given during your existing appointment or
you can make a separate appointment for the vaccination. For a shingles
shot, you are required to pay the cost ($273) for the vaccine up front
and this will be reimbursed to you upon payment by your insurance company.
Can your staff give me an injection of medication that I already
have?
Yes, an appointment is required for this but
we can administer your injection. Our office cannot store your medication;
this will have to be brought by you every time it is given.
What should I do if the office is closed and I need to speak
with the doctor?
In the event of an emergency, please call 911
for assistance, otherwise, you may call Beaufort Memorial Hospital
at (843) 522-5200 and have the on-call physician paged. If the
call is pertaining to non-urgent matters such as refill requests, non-urgent
medical questions, or rescheduling of an appointment, the message should
be addressed the following business day as the doctors refrain from
prescribing treatment over the phone and after hours.
If I am hospitalized will my doctor take care of me in the hospital?
All of the hospitals in the area have well-qualified,
dedicated doctors called “hospitalists” who will provide
for your medical care and arrange any needed specialists in the hospital.
Hospitalists are uniquely trained to care for hospitalized patients and
will offer 24-hour availability to meet your needs immediately, if needed.
Our doctors will receive a report from the hospital when you are discharged.
Please follow your hospital discharge instructions carefully, and note
that they will usually direct you to schedule a follow-up appointment
with your primary care doctor.
How do I report customer service issues?
Beaufort Primary Care strives to provide the highest
quality care in the most courteous and efficient manner. If you have
a concern, we encourage you to share your concerns with our office manager.
We will try to resolve your concern or bring the matter to the attention
of someone who can. Our office manager is available to listen to your
compliments, concerns, issues, or if you just need information or assistance.
You may call our office manager at (843) 522-7600 Monday – Friday,
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
How can I obtain a copy of my medical record?
To obtain your medical records from another facility
for your file here, we require that you fill out a Medical Records Release
Form. This release form is in compliance with all of the laws protecting
your privacy. We will either securely fax or mail this request to your
previous doctor. Once we receive the records, we will scan them into
your chart for our doctor’s reference.
How do I transfer my medical record to a new doctor?
To transfer your records to a new doctor, we will
also need you to fill out a Medical Records Release Form. This form will
need to include where you would like your records transferred. We will
then forward this request to Healthport, a medical records outsourcing
company, and they will mail your records to you or your new doctor. There
is a fee for this service and an invoice will be mailed to you.
What if I need my doctor’s help completing a form?
If you need disability, life insurance or other
forms or papers filled out by our office, we ask that you make an appointment
with your doctor. This process takes a lot of time and often requires
information that can only be obtained by talking with you. Please schedule
an appointment if you need this service.
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