Comprehensive Medical Examination

This is an extended exam, not in connection with any illness or injury, done yearly to review all aspects of your health and wellness. After a thorough physical examination, we will discuss any current medical and, as appropriate, any psychological or social issues in your life. We will review a battery of screening laboratories and possibly x-rays as appropriate for your age and gender (young adults 16-29 will receive an abbreviated exam appropriate for their age/medical history). A detailed list of signs and symptoms that can be early warning signs of disease will be reviewed. Particular attention will be focused on cardiovascular risk, as this is a leading cause of death and disability for all of us. Furthermore, this visit will include screening and recommendations for proper nutrition and exercise to encourage weight control and fitting healthier lifestyle into our busy world.

All tests and procedures will be completed before your extended office appointment. Standard laboratory testing for this exam will be included in your yearly fee, and additional labs and x-rays, as medically indicated, will likely be covered by your insurance.

I believe this annual medical examination is the cornerstone of our successful physician-patient relationship. You will be encouraged and reminded by our staff to schedule it each year. This exam allows me quality time to learn about every aspect of your life and become the greatest asset to you in times of need.

Same-day or next business day appointments

Appointments will be available regardless of the severity of your medical issue. In most circumstances, your schedule will determine availability.

Little or no office waiting time, and typically longer appointments, when needed

Comprehensive exam appointments will be scheduled for one hour and all other appointments will be 30 minutes. The time pressure of moving from patient to patient will be eliminated, allowing me greater ability to develop recommendations in a thorough manner.

Direct phone access

Telephone calls will be answered directly, usually by my assistant, Katie. Questions will be answered within the hour whenever possible. You will no longer sit by the phone waiting for the doctor to return your call.

Doctor's personal cell phone will be provided

This will allow easy access to me for urgent medical problems that occur outside of my regular office hours. Ideally, I want to hear from you when you are ill or injured before you go to the hospital or an urgent care center, or immediately after you have called paramedics.

State-of-the-art communications

I want to be involved in all aspects of your care. We can use email and/or cell phone technology to review emergency room and specialist visits or other quick/non-urgent questions that do not require a trip into the office. Because of privacy concerns, we will develop specific guidelines for what is appropriate use of these media.

Courteous and professional staff

My staff members are an important part of your experience with my office. They will not only have the expertise to advocate on your behalf, but will also be able to facilitate your journey through other aspects of the medical community when necessary.

Portable USB device containing updated and pertinent medical information

After your annual exam, you will be provided with all of your current medical information and data on a portable USB device. This will allow you to have all pertinent information at your fingertips when you are traveling or whenever you may need it.

Timely emails on medical topics of interest

Periodically, I will forward emails on subjects that I feel will be of interest or help to my patients. Additionally, I will welcome your thoughts about areas and topics of particular importance. The goal of this communication is to help you navigate through and make sense of the myriad of health information that is available in the media.

Small focus group meetings to discuss a variety of health issues with an opportunity for small group interaction

These meetings will be scheduled periodically throughout the year and will focus on a variety of relevant health-related topics. They will also be an opportunity to interact with me and my staff in a small-group setting.

What services are provided as a part of the annual fee?

Forward Focus Medical Care strives to provide “intensive primary care”, premium access, and exceptional service. Please see the attached Concierge Program page for a complete list of offerings and amenities.

Will you still be on staff at the same hospitals?

Yes. My affiliation with Lake Forest Hospital and ENH-Highland Park Hospital will not be affected by my practice change. If you require hospitalization, I will continue, as always, to make daily visits and direct all aspects of your inpatient care.

Are you staying at the same office location?

Yes, for the next several months. We will send an announcement to all of our patients when we determine our new location in the Lake Forest area.

Who will cover for you when you are not available?

Dr. Sommerfeld or Dr. Garti will provide coverage for me on the infrequent occasions when I am out of town or otherwise unavailable. Such coverage will also extend to in-patient hospital care. Even while I am out of town I will generally remain available by phone to my patients and to my covering physicians and hospitals. For practical reasons I must reserve the right to designate another qualified physician to perform any and all services should the need arise.

Do you offer disease management?

Yes. Modern medical care requires that many disease states such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, atherosclerosis and others be carefully managed in a variety of ways. Forward Focus Medical Care strives to comply with or exceed the “best practice guidelines” that have been established to optimize the care of various medical problems. We will use the latest available technology to actively manage your health and ensure the most accurate and complete solutions for care.

Do I still need insurance if I enroll with you?

Yes. Concierge medical practices do not take the place of general health insurance coverage. Forward Focus Medical Care is a primary care medical practice, not a health insurance program. You are advised to continue your HSA, PPO, Medicare or other insurance program unchanged.

Will my insurance still be billed for my office visits?

Effective January 1, 2007, I have elected not to participate as an “in-network” provider for any commercial health insurance plans. My new office or hospital visit charge will be a flat fee of $30 regardless of the length or complexity of the visit. Some additional charges for injections/procedures may be imposed, but will be billed to you at our cost to administer. Payment will be requested at the time of service. My office will then submit the necessary paperwork marked “Paid in Full” directly to your insurance company. Any applicable reimbursements will be sent directly to you by your carrier. Office visit charges, with the exception of your annual wellness exam, are not included in your Forward Focus Medical Care annual fee.

Importantly, priority will be given to “in-network” physicians for any referrals/consultations and to “in-network” facilities for diagnostic tests and hospitalizations, whenever possible. The referred services will be billed by them, and likely will be covered as “in-network” fees. Any medical care outside of my office should not be affected by my change of insurance status.

Is there a co-pay?

No. As an out-of-network provider, we will no longer collect a co-pay for office visits at Forward Focus Medical Care. For each office or hospital visit, the total fee will be $30 regardless of the complexity of the visit. Some additional charges for injections/procedures may be imposed, but they will be billed to patients at our cost of administering.

Will you still be a Participating Provider for Medicare?

Yes. My status with Medicare will be unchanged. We will continue to bill Medicare on your behalf, as required by law.

Do you bill Medicare for the annual concierge fee?

No. The annual concierge fee is for Medicare and commercial insurance “non-covered services” and, as such, cannot be paid for or reimbursed by Medicare. We will bill Medicare our flat fee for your sick visits and for any additional services performed at Forward Focus Medical Care that ARE covered by Medicare. The annual wellness physical exam* is included in your membership fee as well as many other amenities listed in the Concierge Program page. (*See exception for “Welcome to Medicare” one-time physical exam in the Concierge Program page.)

Will my private insurance reimburse my annual concierge fee?

It is unlikely that this service will be reimbursable. However, Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts may at times be used to pay for all or part of the annual fee. Members are advised to consult their human resources representative at their place of employment, or their FSA or HSA plan managers.

Is the annual concierge fee tax deductible?

This fee may very well be tax deductible. Patients are advised to consult with their tax consultant to clarify qualification in their particular circumstance.

What about lab, x-ray, specialists’ fees and hospitalization?

Your annual fee pays for membership in the practice, for your annual wellness exam including standard tests, and for many other amenities listed on the Concierge Program page. However, all other procedures and services not performed in the Forward Focus Medical Care office will be billed by the performing entity and should be covered as “in-network” benefits, or will be the patient’s financial responsibility.

What if I have an emergency?

If you have a life threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. After you call 911, please call me. I will attempt to coordinate your emergency care thereafter. Patients are asked to contact me before going to any urgent care facility and at any time of the day or night if real need exists. I will attempt to address urgent after-hours problems directly.

What do I do if I become ill while traveling or away on an extended vacation?

Call 911 if you have a life threatening emergency. Then call me. Call me first if the problem is minor. With the exception of a few controlled substances, most prescriptions can be ordered anywhere in the country. If necessary, it may be possible for us to find you a resource where you are for care. If you seek care at an emergency room or urgent care center out of our area, we request that you have the doctor seeing you call us for coordination. I will be readily available for phone consultation with you and/or other health care personnel. If you should require hospitalization while away, at your request, I will establish daily phone communication with you and your attending physician(s) to ensure continuity of care. Be sure to bring along your USB device containing your latest Wellness Exam results when you travel. This detailed report can be invaluable to a doctor who has never seen you before.

What if I need to see a specialist or a surgeon?

Of course our patients are free to see any specialist they wish. I am available to help you decide what specialists to see and to coordinate such consultations. In this way the most appropriate resource is used, the earliest arrangements are made, and your applicable medical information is sent in advance of your specialist visit.

What about the cost of prescription medicines?

Often we can start treatment with samples from the office. To the extent we have samples in the office, I am happy to supply them to patients. We work with patients to keep their costs down whenever possible. However, ultimately the cost of prescription medicines is the patient’s responsibility and in most cases should be covered by their insurance plan.

Will I be required to pay my annual concierge fee even if I do not use your services?

Yes. Paying your concierge fee allows access to the practice whether you are sick or well. We strongly encourage you to utilize the amenities offered including wellness consultations and emails for appropriate non-urgent health related questions, regardless of your self-perceived state of health.

What happens if I move out of the area after I enroll?

Even if you move away, we can continue to provide care for you. However, if you move and wish to secure a new primary care physician, most certainly you will be given a prorated refund. A copy of your records will be sent to your new physician upon receipt of a signed release. This release of records is required by law.

Can I wait and enroll in Forward Focus Medical Care later?

By design, Forward Focus Medical Care is a membership concierge practice with a limited enrollment. Once that enrollment limit is reached, a waiting list will be established. Every effort will be made to accommodate interested patients, but the enrollment limit must be honored in order to continue to provide the highest standard of personalized care and service to all Forward Focus Medical Care patients.

What are Dr. Schaffel’s credentials?

Gary E. Schaffel, MD, is a successful general internist who has been in private practice since 1997. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1994 and completed his internship and residency at Rush Medical College. Dr. Schaffel also holds a Masters Degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Illinois. He has served as both Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Lake Forest Hospital.