24 Mar March 24, 2020 | Covid-19 Update
Dear FPA Patient:
This is a difficult time for all of us. We know that many of you are concerned about your loved ones but also about your ongoing health issues. FPA is doing its best to respond during this time of uncertainty.
For the short term, we will have some reduced hours and services. We are temporarily halting our evening clinics, walk-in clinic and lab appointments for routine labs.
We are continuing to see our SICK patients. As the Governor’s office has stated, if you would’ve normally sought care for your issue prior to coronavirus, then please call us and we will see you. We are taking precautions in our office to reduce the risk of infection, including regular cleaning, wearing masks and allowing patients to wait in the car instead of the waiting room. We have spread our chairs in the waiting room out so that you will not be too close to other patients. Please do not bring more than one family member to your appointment.
If you have SICK symptoms, we would like to evaluate you for flu, strep, pneumonia or other serious illnesses. We want to help our sick patients get healthy as quickly as possible so to avoid hospital and ER visits as much as possible.
COVID testing may be ordered on a limited basis provided that the patient meets the requirements: current sick symptoms, such as fever, cough, chills. Prioritization will be given to patients with chronic conditions or at high risk.
If you are not sick and have an appointment for a WELL visit, then we recommend that you do not come into the office, unless for a child under 2 years for immunizations. Please call to reschedule your appointment.
If you have an appointment for a FOLLOW-UP or other routine visit, then we may be able to address your issues and refill medications via a TELEHEALTH visit. We have an option for a Video Telehealth visit with a provider. You can set this up by calling our office and getting an appointment and then following the instructions on www.fpalex.com. You need an appointment for any Telehealth visit. Medicare and some insurers have said that they will pay for telephone care. All of this is uncharted territory and we do not know firm answers, particularly on how insurance companies will process claims during this time.
We are urging all of our patients to follow the recommendations: practice social distancing, cover your cough, wash your hands frequently and be kind to others. We will get through this together!
Please be patient with us as we are doing our best to care for our patients in the safest way possible during this crisis. Please call our office at (859) 278-5007 or send a patient portal message for any questions.
FPA is here for you!
Your Family, Your Health, Our Passion