FAQs

If you are a new patient to our doctor office, you will need to fill out a few brief forms upon arrival. You should also bring your insurance card, driver's license, picture ID, and a valid method of payment. We accept cash, credit cards, and debit cards.

We always accept walk-ins for emergency or sick visits. Please contact our doctor office at (631) 328-5560 and speak with the receptionist or a nurse. We also have Saturday hours. If it is a true life-threatening emergency, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room for treatment.

Yes, we proudly conduct immigration medical examinations and screenings as part of the immigration process. These tests are often required by immigration authorities to assess the health status of individuals seeking entry into a new country. Immigration testing helps immigration authorities determine if applicants pose any health risks to the receiving country's population. It ensures that individuals entering the country do not have contagious diseases that could spread or become a burden on the healthcare system.

Immigration testing typically includes a physical examination, blood tests for infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and syphilis), vaccination verification, and sometimes chest X-rays to screen for tuberculosis. The requirement for immigration testing varies depending on the immigration laws and regulations of the destination country. Typically, individuals applying for certain types of visas or residency permits, such as permanent residency or refugee status, are required to undergo immigration testing by a doctor. If an applicant is found to have a medical condition that makes them inadmissible according to immigration regulations, they may be denied entry or have their visa application rejected. However, some medical conditions may be eligible for a waiver depending on the specific circumstances and the immigration laws of the destination country.

The validity period of immigration test results varies depending on the destination country's immigration policies. According to Boundless, a leading online immigration resource, most immigration physical exam results are valid for six months unless you have certain medical conditions that could cause your exam results to expire in three months. It's essential to check the specific requirements of the immigration authorities. Family members applying for immigration benefits together may be required to undergo immigration testing as part of the application process. In such cases, each family member will typically need to complete their own medical examination and provide the necessary documentation. To learn more about this process, contact our office today.

A PCMH is a healthcare model focused on comprehensive and coordinated care, centered around the patient's needs and preferences. It emphasizes a team-based approach to healthcare delivery. Patients in a PCMH often experience improved access to care, better coordination among healthcare providers, enhanced communication, and increased involvement in their own healthcare decisions. This can often lead to better health outcomes and overall satisfaction.

Unlike traditional practices, PCMHs emphasize proactive, preventive care and provide a range of services that address not only medical needs but also behavioral health, social services, and support for self-management. The PCMH team typically includes primary care physicians, nurses, care coordinators, pharmacists, behavioral health specialists, and other allied health professionals. This diverse team collaborates to provide holistic care.

PCMHs use electronic health records (EHRs) and care coordination systems to track patients' health information across different providers and settings. This ensures seamless transitions between appointments and promotes continuity of care. Patients are encouraged to communicate openly with their healthcare team, ask questions, and actively participate in decision-making about their health. PCMHs often provide resources and support to empower patients to take charge of their health.

Most insurance plans cover care received in a PCMH, but it's essential to check with your insurance provider to understand specific coverage details and any requirements related to PCMH participation. PCMHs excel in managing chronic conditions by offering proactive monitoring, personalized care plans, medication management, and resources for self-management. The team works closely with patients to optimize their health and prevent complications. Preventive care is a cornerstone of the PCMH model, focusing on screenings, vaccinations, lifestyle counseling, and early intervention to promote wellness and prevent the onset or progression of diseases. PCMHs prioritize patient satisfaction by offering convenient appointment scheduling, timely access to care, clear communication, and opportunities for feedback. They also engage patients in shared decision-making and encourage active participation in their care plans.

Here at Family Medical Care of Bay Shore, we pride ourselves on utilizing the PCMH model for all of our care. Whether you're seeking a pediatric doctor or need an immigration physical, our team is happy to help you. Give us a call today.

Family practice is the medical specialty that focuses on providing continuing and comprehensive medical care to all family members. Family physicians treat the whole patient, taking into account all medical, social, and mental health concerns of the individual. Family physicians treat conditions of all organ systems instead of limiting their practice to a specific organ system. Family physicians train for three additional years after completing medical school. Training focuses on the areas of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Obstetrics-Gynecology, general and sub-specialty surgery, and Psychiatry.

Family physicians can provide for the vast majority of your healthcare needs. They work with people of all genders and all ages and can diagnose and treat 90% of all patient problems. Family Medical Care maintains a close consulting relationship with other physicians in the community for those problems requiring the care of another specialty.

You need to fast before the following tests: cholesterol, blood sugar level, H. Pylori and blood work for a physical. Fasting is not necessary for any other tests unless you are instructed otherwise by your physician.

Please call the office in advance, when possible. If you do not contact us regarding a cancellation, we do charge a $25 cancellation fee if it is a repetitive issue.

Copayments must be paid at time of service, based on contractual requirements. A $10 service charge will be billed to your account if you fail to pay the copay as above. Our policy is to collect the copayment upon arrival at check-in.

We will work with you to make financial arrangements if necessary. Please be aware that you will be required to pay for your initial office visit at that time. Please contact our office staff regarding questions about payment arrangements.

Currently, you will call the office and leave a message with your name, date of birth , and name of prescription  and our prescription department will complete your request within 2 hours.

If there are forms/letters that the patient requires to be generated, there may be a minimum $25 fee if not done within the parameters of an office visit.

Any health concerns that you have should be discussed with your Family Doctor, Family Physician Assistant or Family Nurse Practitioner, they will be able to let you know if the information you found is appropriate for your own medical health.

D.O.s and M.D.s are alike in many ways:

1. Applicants to both D.O. and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses.

2. Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education.

3. After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine such as psychiatry, surgery, or obstetrics.

They both complete a residency program, which takes typically two to six years of additional training.

4. Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable state licensing examinations.

5. D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.

6. D.O.s comprise a separate, yet equal branch of American medical care.

Together D.O.s and M.D.s enhance the state of health care available in America.

D.O.s bring something extra to medicine:

1. Osteopathic schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians.

2. D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your body as an integrated whole.

3. Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive healthcare.

4. D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system - your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another. It gives D.O.s a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage over those who do not receive additional specialized training.

We are open six days a week.  Please call our office for more information regarding our services. Certain treatment questions must be answered through a consultation.