April 4, 2020, 7:03 AM
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The Medical Home is a healthcare delivery model whereby patient treatment is coordinated through their primary care physician to ensure they receive the necessary care when and where they need it, in a manner they can understand. The objective is to have a centralized setting that facilitates partnerships between individual patients, and their personal physicians, and when appropriate, the patient’s family.
Steven Wool, MD FACP graduated from Duke University College of Medicine and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine with extensive training and experience in Family Medicine and Geriatrics. He was Chief of Medicine at Tucson Medical Center from 2005-2009 and has served as clinical staff at Tucson Medical Center and in the Department of Medicine at the University of Arizona. Dr. Wool has been in private practice in primary care in Tucson since 1985. He established Personalized Healthcare of Tucson in 2010 to provide his patients with the highest level of medical care by maximizing accessibility, clinical competence and communication.
Aldine Chandler, MD is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. She graduated from the University of Arizona with her Medical Doctorate, Alpha Omega Alpha, the highest scholastic distinction attainable. Dr. Chandler completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of Washington in Seattle, ranked #1 nationally for Primary Care training by US News & World Report in 2016. Dr. Chandler is accepting new patients and will be covering call for the practice, assisting with urgent same day and next day appointments for existing PHC patients and performing will-women exams.
Emily McGlamery, PharmD is a pharmacist registered in the State of Arizona. She graduated from Drake University with a Doctorate of Pharmacy. She completed her pharmacy residency at the Southern AZ VA Hospital and practiced there for 8 years prior to joining PHC. As part of the PHC Medical Provider team, she oversees medication management at PHC and is available to patients for consultations about medications, chronic disease management, and to determine medication needs for travel, arrange travel clinic appointments for required vaccinations, and to provide prophylactic medication prior to travel.
Kathleen B. McLeod, DNP, MAOM, FNP-BC received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Arizona State University in 2015. She has 20 years experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner and has extensive experience in Neurology. Kathleen was the first Nurse Practitioner at TMC One with her own patient practice in Primary Care. She has been mentoring and educating Nurse Practitioners since 2002 and is currently a Faculty Associate in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University. Prior to that her nursing career at TMC included being the Coordinator of the Trauma Program for 12 years, Administrative Director of Pediatrics/PICU, Interim Director of the Emergency Department and also serving as flight nurse.
Jil Feldhausen, MS RDN is a registered dietitian with over 30 years of experience. She is a nationally known lecturer and author of three books on nutrition. She coordinates the Annual Health Enhancement Evaluations which are the cornerstone of the PHC Wellness Initiative. Jil is available to PHC patients for nutritional counseling, and management of chronic disease conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity. Appointments with Jil can be scheduled by contacting the PHC office at 547-1661.
Gila Saks, PhD is a licensed psychologist in the State of Arizona and has practiced here since 1992. She has extensive training and experience in helping people navigate their way through life-challenges, such as anxiety, depression, loss, unexpected illness, divorce addictions, loneliness and other difficulties. As the Consultant for Psychological Services for PHC, she assists the Medical Providers with determining the appropriate therapy and/or therapist for specific issues that have been identified. Dr. Saks is available to see PHC patients on-site for their convenience. Appointments can be made directly with Dr. Saks at 444-6697.
Audrey Holland, PhD CCC BC/NCD has extensive training and experience working with and counseling adults with aphasia and other neurologic communication disorders or aspects of aging such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Dr. Holland is a Regent’s Professor Emerita at the University of Arizona, and is a well known lecturer and author. She is available to provide counseling for PHC patients who have or are concerned that they or a family member might have these issues. Patients should discuss these concerns with their Medical Provider for appropriate evaluation, treatment and referral.
Lori Martinez, Certified Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist is responsible for scheduling patient appointments, checking-in patients for their office visits, and verifying that all pertinent information is correct and current. Lori performs medical assistant functions on an as-needed basis and provides additional coverage for laboratory blood draws.
Veronica Herget, Certified Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist is the Medical Operations Supervisor and coordinates the front and back office functions to ensure a seamless Medical Provider-Patient experience. Veronica provides coverage for the medical assistants and front office staff on an as needed basis. An important part of Veronica’s responsibilities is providing administrative assistance to the Practice Manager, Chris Boggs.
Kim Barger, Certified Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist is responsible for assisting the medical providers by working with patients to obtain vital signs, perform EKG’s, prepare lab orders, documents visit notes, answers patient messages, calls in prescriptions, gives immunizations and takes the patient history. Kim assists the Medical Providers as needed before and during the patient medical visit and provides additional coverage for blood draws.
Rebekah Ritter, Certified Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist facilitates the Medical Provider-Patient visit by taking vital signs, performing EKG’s, preparing lab orders, documentation, answering patient messages, calling in prescriptions, giving immunizations and taking the patient history. Rebekah assists the Medical Providers as needed before and during the patient medical visit.
Joining PHC enhances your overall healthcare by providing options and services that are not available in traditional primary care practices. These comprehensive patient-centered services form the cornerstone of your personalized health care plan and allow each patient to individually and selectively tailor our services to meet their medical and wellness needs.
Is Personalized HealthCare of Tucson a Concierge Medical Practice?
The term “concierge” medicine is used to describe many types of medical practices, such as direct care and membership medical practices, where a fee is collected to provide benefits that are not covered by insurance. PHC is a membership medical practice and charges a membership fee, bills insurance, collects co-pays, and co-insurance. In return for the fee, the patient receives benefits such as faster appointment scheduling, adequate time to address your medical needs, enhanced access to your physician and many additional services. PHC maintains accreditation with Medicare and most private insurance companies.
Other types of Concierge Practices such as direct primary care practices typically charge a much higher fee than membership practices and do not bill insurance. Direct primary care is considered by the State of Arizona to be a service distinct from health insurance. Direct primary care physicians do not participate in any insurance plans and therefore do not maintain accreditation with Medicare and most private insurance companies. Direct primary care practices collect a fee from the patient to belong to the practice and provide unlimited outpatient access. However, the patient must still have health insurance that meets the minimum essential coverage mandated by the Affordable Care Act.
Why should I pay an annual membership fee?
The primary benefits to the patient of belonging to the PHC primary care practice include services that are not available in traditional medical practices. This includes more time with your physician, same day or next day appointments for urgent medical issues, timely scheduling of routine appointments, and access to a physician from the practice after office hours and on weekends. There are many more benefits, which are described in the topic heading “Benefits of Belonging” section of this website.
Do I need health insurance?
You should maintain your insurance coverage. Although many of the wellness services we provide are not covered by traditional health care insurance, all of the traditional medical services are. These traditional medical services are billed to your medical provider. In addition, medical insurance coverage is strongly recommended to cover the costs of hospitalizations, surgery, medical imaging, laboratory analyses, medical therapies such as cancer treatment, etc.
Do I still need to pay my copays?
If you are seen for a medical visit, whatever co-pays your insurance provider requires will be charged at the time of the office visit. Co-pays are a requirement imposed on medical practices by insurance companies. It is considered fraud by Medicare and private insurance plans if the required co-pay is not collected, and a physician may lose their credentialing with Medicare or a private insurance company.
When is the annual fee due and what are the payment options?
The Annual PHC membership renewal process begins on July 1 of each year, and the patient membership year begins September 1. The annual membership fee can be paid once a year, or monthly. There are no administrative fees for monthly payments.
Will I have to wait to get an appointment?
Patients needing urgent same day or next day appointments will be accommodated. In the event that your personal physician is not available due to scheduling issues or vacation, urgent medical issues may be handled by the available medical provider, which may be a Physician or a Nurse Practitioner.
Is there an extra fee for immunizations, lab tests and procedures done at the office?
Immunizations are available at the office for Influenza, Tdap, Tetnus, Pneumo-Vax, Previnar, Hep-A, Hep-B, Hep A-B ComboFlu shots, depending on availability of the particular vaccine. Medicare does not cover immunizations for Tetnus, TDap or Hepatitis. If you need an immunization that is not covered by your insurance or medicare, you are responsible for the entire cost. Immunizations covered by Medicare or individual insurance plans, lab tests, and procedures such as Spirometry, EKG, Joint Injections, and Incision & Debridement are billed to insurance. A co-pay is not required for immunizations if they are administered separately from a scheduled physician visit.
If I have to go to the hospital, will you oversee that care?
In Arizona, a patient’s care in a Hospital is overseen by a Hospitalist. This is more efficient and safer for a patient, as the Hospitalists are in the Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our physicians provide coordination of care and work closely with your Hospitalist while you are in the Hospital to provide coordination of care.
How do I join your practice?
You may contact Personalized HealthCare of Tucson at 520-547-1661 to inquire about joining the practice. Please refer to the New Patient Letter found under the section “Get Started” on this website and click on the button “How to Join” for a detailed description of the process of joining the practice.