What Is Family Medicine
A certification by the Board of Family Practice practitioners prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of ailments in patients of all ages, placing special emphasis on the care of families on a continuing basis. They have received a broad range of training that includes surgery, psychiatry, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and geriatrics.
Learn More About Family Medicine Specialists And How To Choose The Right One For You
A family medicine doctor specializes in the comprehensive prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for a wide range of conditions. Family medicine is a broad specialty that focuses on your general, overall health rather than one type of disease or condition. Family medicine specialists often serve as a primary care doctor, providing preventive and therapeutic care services for the entire family through all stages of life.
Family medicine doctors treat a wide variety of conditions and often consult with other members of the patients medical team. A family doctor typically:
- Evaluates a patients medical history and teaches the patient about wellness and disease prevention
- Diagnoses and treats acute diseases and conditions including infections and injuries
- Screens, treats and monitors a range of chronic physical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, heart disease, and depression
- Orders and interprets laboratory and imaging tests and prescribes medications
- Performs minor surgical procedures and assists with major procedures
- Provides cancer screenings, such as skin and thyroid exams
- Performs reproductive health screenings including pelvic exams, Pap smears, breast exams, and sexually transmitted disease screenings
- Provides care, in some cases, for women during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and after delivery
- Provides family planning and contraceptive counseling including birth control prescriptions
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Can I Use My Medicaid Coverage In Any State
You can’t take it with you: If you’re relocating, you’ll need to reapply for Medicaid in the state where you’re planning to reside.
Q. Can I use my Medicaid coverage in any state?
A: No. Because each state has its own Medicaid eligibility requirements, you cant just transfer coverage from one state to another, nor can you use your coverage when youre temporarily visiting another state, unless you need emergency health care.
Medicaid offers health coverage to millions of Americans, and in many states, that coverage matches or even surpasses that of private health insurance. Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and state governments, but each state has the option to set its own rules and requirements for eligibility. As such, transferring your Medicaid coverage from one state to another isnt always possible.
Traveling To Another State
If youre traveling to another state and fall ill, you may be out of luck Medicaid wont cover the cost of services in a state that isnt your home state. Generally, you can only use your Medicaid coverage out-of-state if you encounter a true life-threatening emergency that requires immediate care .
That said, sometimes, pre-approved treatment at an out-of-state facility is covered by Medicaid, but only when proper authorization is obtained. Similarly, Medicaid coverage may kick in if you receive treatment in an out-of-state facility that borders yours, and in which residents of your state routinely seek care. Again, you must make sure Medicaid will cover such care before pursuing it, or you risk getting stuck with the associated bills.
Maurie Backman has been writing professionally for well over a decade, and her coverage area runs the gamut from healthcare to personal finance to career advice. Much of her writing these days revolves around retirement and its various components and challenges, including healthcare, Medicare, Social Security, and money management.
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All Primary Care Offices Are Currently Accepting Patients
THOMAS HEALTH PRIMARY CARE AT ASHTON1097 Fledderjohn Road | Charleston, WV 25314 | Appointments:Michelle Burdette, MD Richard Capito, MD John Lewis, DO Tina Ly, MD Donald Moore, MD Gregory McCartney, PA-C Mohammad Yousaf, PA-C
THOMAS HEALTH PRIMARY CARE ON CHESTNUT STREET506 Chestnut Street | South Charleston, WV 25309 | Appointments: | Office:Michael DeWitt, DO Christy Estep, DO Leo Gibson, DO Katrina Walker, FNP
THOMAS HEALTH PRIMARY CARE ON DIVISION STREET400 Division Street, Suite 6 | South Charleston, WV 25309 | Appointments: | Office:Paul Kuryla, MD Ashley Mellert, PA-C
THOMAS HEALTH PRIMARY CARE ON DONNALLY STREET500 Donnally Street, Suite 203 | Charleston, WV 25301 | Appointments: | Office:William Jeffrey, MD Lester Labus, MD Jennifer Ladd, DO Mark Richards, MD Angela Whitman, DO
THOMAS HEALTH PRIMARY CARE ON KENTUCKY STREET4820 Kentucky Street | South Charleston, WV 25309 | Appointments: | Office: Crystal Bastin, MD Rebecca Donohoe, FNP
THOMAS HEALTH PRIMARY CARE IN WINFIELD
Transferring Medicaid Benefits To Another State
Technically, theres no formal program or option that allows you to transfer your Medicaid coverage from one state to another. Therefore, if youre relocating, youll need to reapply for Medicaid in the new states.
The good news is that youre allowed to apply for Medicaid in your new state immediately after relocating, and doing so can help you avoid a lapse in benefits. It generally takes anywhere from 15 to 90 days to receive a letter of approval once you apply for Medicaid, and you can usually submit your application online.
One thing you should know about Medicaid is that you cant be covered by it in two different states at the same time. Therefore, to transfer your coverage so to speak youll need to first terminate your original Medicaid coverage and then apply in your new state once youve relocated.
Most states offer retroactive Medicaid coverage, which allows you to receive coverage for up to three months prior to the date of your applications approval. However, you may be forced to pay for healthcare services out of pocket until that retroactive coverage kicks in and renders you eligible for reimbursement. To this end, make sure to retain copies of all medical receipts for services received during your coverage gap.
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What Is A Family Doctor
Family doctors are primary care providers who offer comprehensive medical care for people of all ages, often providing care for members of an entire family. As a family doctor, these physicians generally develop close relationships with patients over an extended period of time, allowing for personalized care. The American Board of Family Medicine offers board certification for family physicians who voluntarily meet additional standards beyond basic licensing .
Family physicians are tasked with caring for not only the physical health of patients and families, but also the mental and emotional health and how it relates to the family dynamic as a unit. Family medicine also emphasizes preventive care, which helps keep patients, and works to prevent diseases before they occur through regular exercise, a healthy diet and healthy life choices.
With regard to preventive measures, family doctors perform regular examinations or checkups, immunizations, and other pertinent screening tests, based upon the specific patients health. Family physicians are trained to identify and treat a very wide range of illnesses and injuries, but may also refer patients to a specialist when they deem it necessary. That said, family doctors may also treat and manage chronic conditions without the assistance of a specialist.
