Welcome to Your Patient-Centered Medical Home

A patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is a team approach to comprehensive, high quality health care.  Third Coast Family Practice achieved designation as a PCMH in 2012 and we are committed to this model of care in which YOU are the most important member of the team.  We ask for your commitment to this team approach as summarized in the Patient-Provider Partnership Agreement.

In 2017 Third Coast Family Practice was selected to participate in a Medicare pilot study, Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+).  This 5 year study seeks to improve quality of care and reduce health care costs through team based care and better utilization of your primary care provider instead of hospital care.

What Does Team Based Care Look Like?

• Early morning and evening hours to increase accessibility
• 24/7 telephone access to Provider for Urgent Care needs
• No appointment necessary for in-house lab checks or injections
• Same Day appointments available
• RN Care Manager works with you in-between office visits:
• To help after a hospitalization
• To help manage your chronic conditions
• To help you meet your wellness goals
• Pharmacist Consultant to ensure you get maximum safety and benefit from your medications
• Behavioral Health Consultants to advise your Care Team for optimal management
• Patient-Family Advisory Council to recommend improvements for optimum patient satisfaction

Making An Appointment

New Patients: Please call our office to discuss your eligibility, learn the details and the process to become a new patient at Third Coast Family Practice. *Currently, we are not be accepting new patients with Medicare nor Medicaid as their primary insurance. We also do not accept patients seeking narcotics for chronic pain management.

Established Patients: We pride ourselves in providing same day appointments because illness and injury cannot be anticipated. These openings are limited, so we do ask that you call as soon as possible!

**No appointments necessary for routine injections (allergy shots, vitamin B12 or testosterone injections, flu and pneumonia shots, or TB tests), PT/INR lab test for anti-coagulation management, or blood pressure checks or urinalysis.

Emergency vs. On-Call Care: Whenever you need healthcare, we encourage you to call our office first (231-757-2500). If the office is closed, a recorded message will give you instructions including how to speak with us by telephone after hours so that we can make a decision together about whether or not you need to go to the Emergency Department. The only time we would not want you to call us first, is if the circumstance requires a call to 911 so that an ambulance can attend to your immediately.

ER Visit vs. On-Call Provider Care

After a Hospitalization: for a smooth transition after a hospitalization or nursing home rehabilitation, Dr. Matheson would like to see you within 7 days of your discharge. We reserve time in our schedule for these appointments as well, so please contact us when you are discharged to home.

Cancellations

Please call no less than 24 hours in advance of any appointment that you cannot keep, so we can make that time available for other patients. Any cancellations with less than a 24 hour notice will be charged a cancellation fee. In addition, this same fee will apply to the second and additional cancellations.

Insurance Partners

We are committed to helping you maximize your health benefits. Our practice contracts with:

• • • • ASR
      • Blue Cross Blue Shield
      • Blue Care Network
      • Humana Choice Care
      • Medicaid including
  •                 Meridian Health Plan
  •                 Priority Health Medicaid

        Medicare including:

• • Aetna Medicare
  • Humana Gold
  • Medicare Plus Blue
  • Priority Health Medicare
  • Railroad Medicare/ Palmetto GBA
  • United Health Care Medicare Advantage
  • PHCS-MultiPlan Network
  • Priority Health
  • United Health Care

We will bill your insurance company directly for all rendered services so you do not have to hassle with the complexities of claim forms, although, it is your responsibility to contact your insurance provider to understand your network coverage(s), benefit allowances, and co-pays (if applicable).

Payment Policy

Hospital/ Lab Affiliations

• Spectrum Health Ludington
• Spectrum Health Gerber
• Quest Laboratory Draw Station, 329 N Jebavy, Ludington, MI

 

Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

We are sensitive to the personal nature of your medical information. Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was enacted to provide guidelines and direction to healthcare providers, requiring they maintain the privacy of your medical information.

**Need HIPAA Policy