It is the policy of the Practice to monitor and manage appointment no-shows.
Any patient who fails to arrive for a scheduled appointment without canceling the appointment less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled time is considered a “no-show”.  

A no-show patient is charged $40.00, as set by the Practice for failure to show.  
A patient who consistently fails to present themselves for scheduled appointments is considered a chronic no-show. A patient who is a no-show more than three times is dismissed from the practice.

The Medical Group utilizes an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or Computerized Record.  We are very excited to have taken this progressive step in the medical community to improve your health.  

So what does this mean for you? 

​Privacy: Now your medical record is secure, individuals must be given authority to view it. Only the staff at TMG has the ability and the training to access your record. This is monitored closely to assure your privacy is protected.

Accessibility: If you need a copy of your health history, medication list, and your child’s immunization record, with one click of the mouse we can provide this for you.

Accuracy: This system provides our providers with up to date information and drug interaction/allergy screening at the time of service.

Education: We now have the ability to print you information about your new diagnosis or new medication.  We want all our patients to be informed and educated when it comes to their health.

Convenience: Now at either of our two clinics you are able to schedule an appointment with your doctor or PA because of the electronic schedule. Our front staff has all appointment books up to date right at their fingertips. You will also be able to be seen at either clinic as our doctors and PA will have your current medical record on hand.

Patient Portal: Our patient portal is now available, which will allow you to request prescription refills and have test results and messages sent through the internet.
​
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to speak to any of our staff. We will be happy to share with you all the wonderful things that an electronic medical record can do for you.

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION. 
​ PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY

 The Medical Group uses health information about you for treatment, to obtain payment for treatment, for administrative purposes and to evaluate the quality of care that you receive.  Your health information is contained in a medical record that is the physical property of The Medical Group.  We are required by federal and state law to maintain the privacy of your medical information.  Medical information is also called “protected health information” or “PHI”.  We are also required by law to notify you if you are affected by a breach of your unsecured PHI.

How The Medical Group May Use Or Disclose Your Health Information For Treatment:
The Medical Group may use and disclose your health information to others for purposes of receiving payment for treatment and services that you receive, such as referrals to another physician or facility. For example, a bill may be sent to you or a third-party payer, such as an insurance company or health plan. 
The information on the bill may contain information that identifies you, your diagnosis, and treatment or supplies used in the course of treatment.  ​

For Health Care Operations:
The Medical Group may use and disclose health information about you for operational purposes.  For example, your health information may be disclosed to members of the medical staff, risk or quality improvement personnel, and to others to: - Evaluate the performance of our staff - Assess the quality of care and outcomes in your cases and similar cases; Learn how to improve our facilities and services; and - Determine how to continually improve the  quality and effectiveness of the health care we provide

When Required by Law: 
The Medical Group may use and disclose information about you as required by law.  For example, The Medical Group may disclose information for the following purposes: - For judicial and administrative proceedings pursuant to legal authority
- To report information related to victims of abuse, neglect or domestic violence
- To assist law enforcement officials in their law enforcement duties

Appointment Reminders and Treatment Calls: 
The Medical Group may contact you to provide appointment reminders or information about treatment plans, medication or test results, or other health related benefits and services that may be of interest to you.  When contacts are made via telephone, messages will be left on answering machines and voice mails with limited information.

Notification:
The Medical Group may use or disclose information to notify or assist in notifying a family member, personal representative, or another person responsible for your care, your location and general condition.

Business Associates:  
In some cases, The Medical Group contracts with business associates to provide services on its behalf.  An example includes arrangements with business associates to provide collection services.  The Medical Group may disclose your health information to such a business associate so that they can perform their respective job functions.  To protect your health information, however, The Medical Group requires the business associate to safeguard your information.

Public Health:  Your health information may be used or disclosed for public health activities such as assisting public health authorities or other legal authorities to prevent or control disease, injury or disability, or for other health oversight activities.

Decedents: 
Health information may be disclosed to funeral directors or coroners to enable them to carry out their lawful duties.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
The Medical Group may disclose to the FDA health information relative to adverse events with respect to food, supplements, product and product defects, or post marketing surveillance information to enable product recalls, repairs, or replacement.

Government Functions:  
Specialized government functions such as protection of public officials or reporting to various branches of the armed services that may require use or disclosure of health information.

Workers Compensation:
Your health information may be used or disclosed in order to comply with laws and regulations related to Workers Compensation.

Fundraising: 
The Medical Group does not engage in fundraising activities or marketing activities and needs your authorization to do so.

Immunizations:  
If The Medical Group obtains and documents your verbal or written agreement to do so, we may release proof of immunization to a school where you are a student or prospective student.

Other Uses: 
Other uses and disclosures will be made only with your written authorization and you may revoke the authorization except to the extent The Medical Group has taken in reliance on such.

You have the right to:
- Request a restriction on certain uses and disclosures or your information; however, The Medical Group is not required to agree to a request restriction except as required by law
- The Medical Group is required to comply with your request for restrictions on the use/disclosure of your PHI to health plans for payment or health care operations purposes when The Medical Group has been paid out of pocket in full and the practice has been notified of the request for restriction in writing, and the disclosure is not required by law
- Obtain a paper copy of the notice of information practices upon request
- Inspect and obtain a copy of your health record in paper or electronic form
- Request that your health record be amended
- Request communications on your health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.
- Receive an accounting of disclosures made of your health information

The Medical Group is required to:
- Maintain the privacy of protected health information
- Provide you with this notice of its legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your health information 
- Notify you if we are unable to agree to a requested restriction on how your information is used or disclosed - Accommodate reasonable requests you may make to communicate health information by alternative means or at alternative locations.
- Obtain your written authorization when we use or disclose your PHI in ways not described in this Notice.  Your authorization may be revoked at any time in writing, except to the extent that we have already acted on your Authorization.

The Medical Group reserves the right to change its information practices and to make the new provisions effective for all protected health information it maintains.  Revised notices will be made available to you upon request at your next visit to our practice.

Complaints.
You may complain to The Medical Group and to the Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.  You will not be retaliated against for filing a complaint.

If you have any questions or complaints, please contact:

Kristi Moritz - (815) 929-0858