My philosophy of patient care: All patients are treated with respect and given the individualized attention that they deserve. I care about my patients and believe that communication and education are essential aspects of a healthy doctor-patient relationship. My goal is to establish long lasting, trusted relationships with individuals. I strive to do more than manage your physical health – I want to be a resource you can rely on and to help you with every aspect of your well-being. I listen carefully and take the time to understand what the root issues are. As your doctor, this helps me target the most appropriate course of action, and it’s also key to helping you feel comfortable and confident with me. I enjoy seeing and interacting with people for their internal medicine and primary care needs. I have easily available, practically no-wait scheduling. I see a wide variety of patients spanning all age groups, both male and female. Most often, I see urgent visits on the same day or the next day. I am almost always available to solve the medical problems of my patients. I prefer face-to-face interaction. MRCP FAC
Atrius Health Information:
Welcome to Atrius Health! If you are a new Atrius Health adult primary care patient, please download our welcome packet below. This includes important info about how to get your medical records to us from your former doctor, access 24/7 telephone medical advice, schedule urgent care appointments, sign-up for appointment reminders by text and more! Thank you for selecting Atrius Health for your care.
New-Patient-Welcome-Packet-March-2020.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions About Specialty Referrals
To whom will I be referred for specialty care?
If your Atrius Health PCP determines a specialist is needed for your care, he/she will refer you, whenever possible, to a specialist within Atrius Health, or to a limited group of trusted specialists from outside offices in the event we cannot accommodate your need at our practice. Over the last few years, we have significantly expanded our in-house specialty services and continue to improve appointment access to meet your care needs.
It is important to understand that for care that requires a referral Atrius Health does not refer to all of the specialists and hospitals that may be included in your health plan’s network of providers. Unless you are in active treatment elsewhere, or if we are unable to provide you with the appropriate clinical expertise within a clinically appropriate time, you will be referred to an Atrius Health clinician. Similarly when hospital-based care is needed, we refer to our preferred hospital partners. The clinicians at Atrius Health refer within these trusted specialty and hospital relationships to provide you with the most complete and coordinated care.
In Massachusetts, a referral is not required to select an obstetrician, and the same is true for behavioral health services (other than for patients who have Tufts Medicare Preferred HMO as their insurance.) Atrius Health offers a wide range of obstetrical care, including certified nurse-midwives who work collaboratively with our obstetricians. We also have one of the largest out-patient behavioral health teams in the area, along with a broad range of other preferred clinicians we work with in the community.
How does my health plan product (insurance) affect my referrals?
The rules established by the health plans for referrals vary widely by insurance company and product. It is really important to understand the options and restrictions of any health plan before you enroll and to contact the health plan’s member services to learn what is required before they will pay for a test or specialist.
If you have a managed care health plan (e.g. HMO), these plans expect your PCP to coordinate your care through referrals and do not allow a patient to make his/her choice of specialists. Your PCP will make the selection of specialists within our preferred relationships that best meet your needs and will then provide the referral. Other types of health plan products (e.g., PPO, POS) may allow you to pay additional costs to see a specialist other than the one recommended by your physician.
If your health plan requires a referral and you choose to see clinicians outside of approved referrals from your PCP, you will likely be responsible for paying the entire bill (not just a co-pay or deductible). Even if your health plan does not require a referral, we strongly suggest that you call your PCP’s office to assess your needs as a first step in considering the right specialty care.
May I request a referral from my PCP’s office after I have seen a specialist or on the same day as my specialist appointment?
At Atrius Health, referrals must be requested in advance of a non-emergency visit with a specialist and we typically require 3 business days to review referral requests. If you choose to see a specialist without the approved PCP referral required by your health plan, it is likely that you will be responsible for payment of the entire bill (not just a co-payment or deductible). Please note that back-dated or same-day referral requests will usually not be approved by our practice other than for a medical emergency.
What if I am referred to a specialist when I am at another specialist, the emergency room or in the hospital?
You should call your PCP’s office for a referral before seeing a specialist who is recommended by the emergency room or another provider and before following up with a specialist who you have seen at the hospital. This will ensure that we can best facilitate within our connected system any follow-up care that is needed and try to help you to avoid a repeat emergency visit or hospital readmission.
Who do I call if I have a question about a referral?
If you are requesting information about whether a referral is required by your health plan, please call health plan’s member services at the phone number on your health insurance card. If you have a medical question related to a referral, please call your PCP’s office.
Medicare Information
At 65, most Americans are eligible for full Medicare benefits. It should be simple, but transitioning from a commercial or employer group health insurance plan to Medicare can be confusing. There is much to consider regarding your medical coverage when it comes time to retire, and it’s wise to do your research well in advance of turning 65.
We want to help make your transition to Medicare as easy as possible. The following resources will help guide you through your Medicare decision process:
Find additional information about Medicare and other related services on the following websites.
General Medicare information:
Social Security Administration – Medicare enrollment information. Visit https://www.ssa.gov/ or call 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778.
A Guide to Social Security For Seniors – A resource that provides detailed information about eligibility and how to claim benefits.
Guide to Medicare counseling resources available in Massachusetts – Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone (SHINE), https://www.mass.gov/health-insurance-counseling. To reach a SHINE Counselor, call 1-800-243-4636 and press 3 if calling from a land line or press 5 if calling from cell phone. TTY 1-877-610-0241.
Mass Health – Information on how Medicare and Mass Health work together, MA Health eligibility requirements, and application information. Visit www.mass.gov/masshealth or call 1-800-841-2900.
Financial assistance for Part D, prescription drug benefits.
Medicare and You handbook – A comprehensive guide published each year by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Available to download in PDF format.
Federal Employees – Medicare information for Federal retirees such as how Medicare works with Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) insurance options.
State and Municipal Employees – Information for those who obtain health insurance benefits from the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) which includes most state workers and some municipal employees.
Please contact the plan directly for more information about the costs and benefits covered for a specific Medicare plan.
Please note: We do not accept Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO/POS, eternalHealth Medicare Advantage HMO, Fallon Senior Plans HMO, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Stride HMO, Humana Medicare Advantage HMO, Mass General Brigham Medicare Advantage HMO/POS, Senior Whole Health Medicare Advantage HMO, or Wellcare Medicare Advantage HMO plans.
We are out-of-network for Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO, CCA Medicare Advantage PPO, eternalHealth, Mass General Brigham Medicare Advantage PPO, Senior Whole Health Medicare Advantage PPO, and Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO plans.
The above list highlights some of the Medicare Supplement Plans we accept at Atrius Health, but it is not a complete list of plans accepted at the practice. If your Medicare Supplement plan is not listed above, please call 1-800-249-1767 to check if we accept your specific plan.
Atrius Health has a responsibility to our patients to appropriately bill and collect payment for services provided. We take this responsibility seriously and, as a partner in your health care, would like to share some information to help you with the billing process.
If you have any questions regarding your billing statement, financial policies or price transparency, please contact the Patient Billing Call Center.
Patient Billing Call Center
1-800-898-7980
Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm
There are multiple options to make payment on your bill:
What if I have coverage through two policies?
Some patients have coverage through two policies and can incur out-of-pocket expenses for health care services. As a courtesy, we will submit your claims to both insurance companies. You may receive a bill for out-of-pocket expenses after both insurance companies have reviewed your claims. If you find yourself in this situation, contact the second insurance company for more information.
Why did I get charged a cancellation fee?
Depending on the specialty area in which your appointment is scheduled, a cancellation fee may be charged. This fee for cancellation can be billed for cancellation with less than 24 hours notice or less than 48 hours, per the specialty’s policy.
What if I am seeing the doctor because I was in a car accident or had an accident at work?
On occasion, visits and medical care can be a result of an injury that occurs in a motor vehicle accident or while at work. It is important that you let your physician’s office know when scheduling an appointment and when checking in that the visit is related to this type of injury. In addition, it is important that you provide our offices with the information for your auto insurer and/or worker’s compensation carrier so that we can direct the claim for your services to the appropriate insurer.
What if I want to know what benefits I have through my health insurance plan?
The phone number to reach your insurance company should be on the back of your insurance card. The insurance has all of the information on your benefits including co-payment, deductible, coinsurance and what is covered benefits.
When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.
When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, such as a copayment, coinsurance, and/or a deductible. You may have other costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a health care facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.
“Out-of-network” describes providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan. Out-of-network providers may be permitted to bill you for the difference between what your plan agreed to pay and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your annual out-of-pocket limit.
“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care—like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in-network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider.
Emergency services
If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most the provider or facility may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments and coinsurance). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.
Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center
When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.
If you get other services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network providers can’t balance bill you, unless you give written consent and give up your protections.
Your provider must notify you if you are being referred to another provider in the same practice of that provider’s out-of-network provider status with your health plan
If you believe you’ve been wrongly billed, you may contact the Attorney General’s Health Care Division at 1-888-830-6277 or https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-health-care-complaint.
Visit cms.gov/nosurprises for more information about your rights under the federal law.
Understanding Insurance Coverage & Copayments
It is helpful to be knowledgeable of and understand your insurance coverage and what the out-of-pocket expenses will likely be when you go for an appointment. In addition, knowing this information will make understanding the charges easier when the bill arrives. Given the growing number of health plan requirements, coverage issues, and varying copayments, contact your insurance company if you have questions as to your level of coverage and what copayments, coinsurances and deductibles may be your responsibility. When it comes to copayments, keep in mind:
Helpful Patient Billing Tips – Before, During and After Your Appointment
The following tips can help you, the patient, contribute to a more smooth overall health care experience.
When scheduling your appointment . . .
Before going to your appointment . . .
When you check-in for your appointment . . .
Post appointment financial considerations . . .
Atrius Health is pleased to offer our patients the convenience of paying your bill online using a credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express). Patients can easily pay their bill through MyHealth Online, our secure online patient portal, whether you have a MyHealth account or not. Here’s how:
Have a Current
MyHealth Account?
Click Here to sign into your secure MyHealth account and select the “Billing” tab.
Do NOT Have a
MyHealth Account?
No problem! Click Here to use our secure “Pay As Guest” MyHealth option.
TO USE THE “PAY AS GUEST” OPTION: Please have your Atrius Health paper billing statement available for reference. You will need to enter the Atrius Health Account Number (located in the upper right side of your billing statement) and the last name of the Atrius Health Account Holder listed on the billing statement to whom the bill is mailed.
If you have any questions about your Atrius Health statement or would like to update your address and/or insurance information, please contact the Atrius Health Patient Billing Call Center at 1-800-898-7980 from 8:00am-4:30pm (EST), Monday-Friday and we would be happy to assist you.
Sign up for a MyHealth Account
MyHealth Online is a highly secure, web-based portal that allows you to access portions of your health record and communicate with your doctor’s office about non-urgent matters. Additionally, it offers many convenient payment and billing features for patients who are the guarantor on the billing account: |
· View and print detailed billing statements for the past 12 months
· View your payment history (up to 50 past payments) · Make a payment that is immediately posted to your account · Verify your balance due in real-time |
Sign Up Today! |
Health Insurance Plans Accepted by Atrius Health
The Atrius Health practices (Granite Medical Group, Dedham Medical Associates, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and PMG Physician Associates) accept most health insurance plans. Click on your health plan category below for more detailed accepted insurance information:
Please note that all health plans are independent of Atrius Health and we may not accept every product from these insurance companies.
If you have questions about whether or not your health insurance plan is accepted by Atrius Health, please call our Patient Registration department at 1-800-249-1767.
If you have questions about your individual insurance plan benefits or coverage, please contact your insurance company directly at the member services number on your health insurance card.
For patients with illnesses or injuries that need prompt attention, call your Atrius Health primary care provider’s office to schedule an appointment. If there is not a convenient same day or next day appointment available for you, Atrius Health offers urgent care options on the weekdays, weekends and most holidays at certain practice locations. All Atrius Health adult and pediatric patients can utilize these urgent care options regardless of where they see their Atrius Health primary care provider (Dedham Medical, Granite Medical, Harvard Vanguard, or PMG). As a reminder, you should always call 911 in the event of a life threatening emergency.
If the times offered at your usual practice site are not convenient, Atrius Health patients may receive weekday care at all of the locations below.
Boston (Kenmore)
Adults Only (18 years and older) |
Braintree
Adults Only (18 years and older) |
Norwood
Adults Only (18 Years and Older) |
Peabody
Adults Only (18 Years and Older)
|
Plymouth – Cordage Park
Children and Adults (2 years and older) |
Somerville
Adults Only (18 years and older) |
Weekend urgent care is available to Atrius Health patients at all of the locations below. Call your Atrius Health doctor’s office to schedule an urgent care appointment at the location nearest you.
Boston (Kenmore)
Adults By Appointment Only |
Braintree
Adults and Children |
Chelmsford
Adults and Children |
Norwood
Dedham Medical Norwood (Adults and Children) |
Peabody
Adults Only |
Plymouth (Cordage Park)
Children and Adults (2 years and older) |
Somerville
Adults and Children |
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