 | Insight Medical Consultants | 5901 Falls Road | Baltimore, MD 21209 | (443) 695-9219 | fax: (410) 532-7016 | ||
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What is a Private Medical Consultant? What is a Private Medical Consultant? As a Private Medical Consultant, I am not constrained by rushed office visits or insurance company restrictions -- I am available to you as much, or as little, as you need me. I am even available to accompany you to important doctor visits if you'd like. I have devoted my practice to helping people navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, and I will guide, educate and support you in your quest for health and wellness. <return to top> Why would I need a Private Medical Consultant when I already have a primary care doctor? Your primary care doctor can handle most of your medical needs, but if you have a significant health concern you may want more from your doctor than he or she is able to give. For example, you may have printed information from the internet that you would like to discuss in depth. You may have many questions or an important medical decision to make that requires an extended conversation. Or you may wish to have a physician accompany you to specialist visits to help you make sense of the doctor’s explanations. Most primary care physicians wish that they could offer you such specialized attention, but they simply don’t have enough time. <return to top> Why is there a need for this kind of service? Our healthcare system is in crisis. Insurance companies (including Medicare) pay physicians less for their services than they used to even as the cost of malpractice insurance is skyrocketing. To compensate for their decreased revenue (and pay off their enormous educational debt), most physicians are forced to see more patients per day than their predecessors did. Many modern physicians see 30-40 patients per day. The average office visit is only 11 minutes long, which doesn’t leave much time for in-depth discussions. Physicians are also saddled with copious paperwork mandated by insurance companies. This leaves them less time to look up the newest treatments for each patient, research appropriate clinical trials, or perform other time consuming “extras” that they would gladly offer you if only they had the time. In short, the system is making it harder for physicians to provide exceptional care and many patients are feeling the need to advocate for themselves. <return to top> If I see one of your doctors would I still see my regular doctors? Absolutely. I do not replace the care that you are currently receiving from your primary care doctor and specialists. As a matter of fact many of my services, such as the Insight Health Portfolio, can help you work more effectively with your doctor. I am committed to supporting, not interfering with, your doctor-patient relationships. <return to top> How are you different than a patient advocate? There are many types of patient advocates, although most of them are not physicians. They are often case managers, social workers or nurses. There is no standard definition of a patient advocate, although generally they assist you with some aspect of your healthcare experience. Some non-physician patient advocates accompany you to doctor visits to take notes and help you remember what the doctor said. They may also make your appointments, schedule tests for you or speak with your insurance company on your behalf. Since I am a physician, I focus on the medical, rather than the convenience, aspects of advocacy. <return to top> Will my regular doctors get upset if I tell them that I am seeing you or bring you to one of my office visits? I believe strongly in the importance of the doctor-patient relationship and wouldn’t want to do anything to impair your relationship with your doctors. My Insight Health Portfolio consolidates and organizes your health history, which can be a great help to your primary care physician. I believe that most doctors will be supportive of your decision to use my services. <return to top> Can you help me if I don't live in Maryland? Because of medical licensing rules, I cannot provide my full services to out-of-state patients. I can review and summarize medical research, provide a written report on a medical topic, locate expert local and national specialists, and provide general recommendations but I cannot provide you with any specific medical advice. However if you are able to visit me in my office for an initial consultation, I can often offer follow up services by phone and mail. <return to top> No, I do accept any insurance. This allows me to avoid insurance company rules and time constraints and spend as much time with you as you’d like me to. <return to top> I understand that financial issues can be stressful. My first concern is your health and wellness and I am happy to adjust my services to fit within most budgets. I do not charge for simple phone calls or emails -- I want you to feel comfortable contacting me. This work is my passion. You aren't just hiring a doctor, you are hiring a caring and knowledgeable guide to walk beside you on your journey to health. Please email or call me for specific rates. <return to top> YES! VISA, MasterCard, Discover. <return to top> To contact Dr. Chiaramonte, call (443) 695-9219. At your request, I will schedule a complimentary 20-minute telephone consultation to assess your health issues, identify your needs, and answer your questions about my services. If you are interested in working with me, and I determine that my services are a good match for your needs, we will schedule an initial visit. <return to top> | ||||
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© 2008 Insight Medical Consultants | ||||
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