Many of your questions about referrals, tests and hospitalization are answered below. Please review these FAQs before you call the office.
Yes, in many cases. We reserve same-day acute visits for single problem visits. Please call as close to our opening time of 8:30 am as possible.
Schedule in advance if you wish to see one specific provider. We cannot offer the same flexibility for same-day visits.
Mammogram results are sent directly to patients by the center performing the test. If you have seen a specialist for a specific test, call their office for results. When you have blood tests or other lab work done in our office, sign up for the free Patient Portal, so you can get your labs by email.
Note that you should always hear about your test results. If you do not hear after a period of two weeks, call us! Do not assume that “no news is good news!”
If your provider has given you a prescription to have blood tests drawn, you may come in any time that is convenient for you: Monday through Friday between 8:30 am-4:30 pm. No appointment needed.
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Your provider will make a referral to an appropriate specialist if needed. Your health insurance company may require a specific authorization from our office. If you need a referral authorization for insurance purposes, call our office during business hours, and listen to the phone prompts.
Please remember that if you do not follow your insurance company’s requirements for referrals, you will be charged for the entire specialist visit – without the benefit of your insurance!
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An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) is a Master’s level Registered Nurse who has gone beyond the usual training required to become a nurse. An ARNP is licensed to diagnose and treat conditions within the scope of her practice. She has prescriptive and referral authority. In our practice, the Nurse Practitioners work with consultation available from Linda Gromko, MD.
In Seattle, we would direct you to either Swedish Medical Center at First Hill or Seattle Children’s (known earlier as Children’s Hospital). Remember that Swedish/Ballard does not have in-patient pediatric services.
In the hospital, your child will be treated by a pediatric hospitalist. The hospitalist is a physician who treats patients only in the hospital, and communicates with the community practitioners for continuity of care.
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If you need hospitalization in a dire emergency, go to the nearest hospital – or if you are triaged by Medic One, go where they take you!
Be sure you are aware of any restrictions your insurance policy may have regarding your choice of hospital.
Most of our patients are admitted to Swedish Medical Center and Northwest Hospital, but any Seattle hospital is fine. Our patients are treated in the hospital by the Hospitalist Team: a team of doctors who treat patients only while in the hospital, but communicate with us for information and discharge planning.
No; she stopped in 2005. We are happy to refer you to another physician who delivers OB care, or to the Ballard Midwifery Clinic operating out of Swedish Medical Center/Ballard.
No; in most cases, the nursing home has a physician connected with that facility. We do see a number of patients who are in assisted living facilities, but they come to our office for care.
Adult immunizations (flu, pneumonia, shingles, DTaP) are available at most major pharmacies. Our closest pharmacy is Bartells (600 First Avenue North; Seattle, WA 98109; (206) 284-1354). They provide immunizations for anyone age 5 and older.
If you are planning to travel outside of the US, Canada, or Europe, you will want to include a Travel Medicine Consultation in your preparations. Some geographic areas require:
For your convenience, we recommend the travel clinics at Bartells Upper Queen Anne, 1929 Queen Anne Avenue North; Seattle, WA 98109 | (206) 285-1737) or Magnolia, 2222 32nd Avenue West; Seattle, WA 98199 | (206) 282-2881.
If you are having difficulty with a practice related issue, call Office Manager Barb Boni at (206) 281-7163 ext 16.
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