Spring 2019
T.I.M. BITS
Published for Patients and Employees of Troy Internal Medicine
a Division of Arcturus Healthcare
IS MY MEDICATION RECALLED?
In the recent past there have been instances where medications have been recalled. Patients have been flooding our phone lines requesting our physicians to write for new prescriptions to replace these recalled
medications. Often the medication in question is not actually recalled.
When a medication is recalled it is generally regarding specific lot numbers of the medication, and not the medication in general. There are specific steps you should take before calling our office regarding any
concerns you may have over a recalled medication.
Please contact your pharmacy first, before calling our office. Let them know that you are concerned over a medication recall. They will be able to see if the lot number you were dispensed is affected by the recall. If, after calling your pharmacy, your medication is part of the recall reach out to our office. We will relay this information to your physician. Your physician will then make any recommendations regarding switching you to a different medication.
If your medication is not part of the recall, you may continue taking your medication as directed. There is no need to call our office.
Referrals & Prior Authorizations: Are they different?
Daily our Phone Room receives numerous calls asking for referrals to be done. Often these referral requests turn out to be something else entirely.
There is a lot of confusion regarding the word referral, and the words prior authorization. A prior authorization may be required by your
insurance for you to receive a medication that is not on the insurance’s medication formulary (list of approved medications). In addition, a prior
authorization may be needed from your insurance if you are going for testing, such as a CAT scan and MRI.
Referrals are broken down into two categories: (1) A referral is needed when you are going to a specialist, for some insurances. (2) A referral for a “recommendation” is a request to your physician for the name of a specific physician for further follow-up of a specific condition.
If you are seeking a test or medication that your insurance company has stated you need approval for, please ask for a prior authorization when calling. For an approval to a specialist ask for a referral. In the
case you are looking for a name/recommendation from your physician, please be clear of this when calling.
Can you help us out?
A statin is a medication that lowers lipids/LDL cholesterol. They are also used in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in high risk patients. Common statins are Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor, to name a few.
Are you getting your statin medication for FREE? Many patients currently get their statin medication filled for free. Some pharmacies, such as Meijer, offer statins at no charge to patients. This is a great benefit to our patients. However, for your insurance company to know that you are compliant with taking your statin medication there is something you should know. Many pharmacies offering free statin medication do not report the sale of the medication to the patient’s insurance company. As a result, your insurance company may deem you to be non-compliant. This is even if you are taking a free statin.
You may be wondering how you can correct the insurance company deeming you to be noncompliant. The next time you refill your statin medication give your pharmacist your insurance card. Most importantly, though, be sure to ask the pharmacist to file a ZERO CLAIM for your medication. This will ensure that the medication is reported to your insurance company for compliance.
Have you heard the N.E.W.S.?
Troy Internal Medicine would like to invite you to our FREE health education lectures presented by Nanette Cameron, RDN. She will be discussing the 4 pillars of health: Nutrition-Exercise-Wellness-Sleep.
Wednesday, August 7th @ 10:00 AM
Wednesday August 21st @ 6:00 PM
Wednesday,September 18th @ 10:00 AM
Wednesday September 18th @ 6:00 PM
Wednesday, October 30th @ 10:00 AM
Wednesday October 30th @ 6:00 PM
Wednesday, November 13th @ 10:00 AM
Wednesday November 13th @ 6:00 PM
Wednesday, December 11th @ 10:00 AM
Wednesday December 11th @ 6:00 PM
Please RSVP within 24 hours of the event to 248-952-5083.
Feeling Stressed Out?
Join us for a relaxing class to learn how to manage the stress in your life
Topics will include:
What is Stress
Is stress that bad for my health?
How to minimize the effects stress has on my life (health, sleep, relationships)
Introduction to mindfulness and a more mindful way of living
Presented FREE by Arcturus Healthcare
PRISM Medical Group and Troy Internal Medicine
Class led by Karen Samosiuk, LMSW
Thursday September 26, 2019 10 am – 11:30 am OR 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Thursday November 14, 2019 10 am – 11:30 am OR 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Please RSVP @ 248-952-5083.
UnaSource Health
4550 Investment Drive, Room B100
Troy, MI 48098
Did You Know?
Troy Internal Medicine has a provider on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when the office is closed and on holidays. We also offer same-day appointments for urgent care issues, as well as Saturday Urgent Care hours from 9am-12pm (phones go on at 8:30am), except for holidays. Before heading to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care, Call Us First.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, however, please call 911 and go to your nearest emergency room.
Important Phone Numbers
Troy Internal Medicine 248-267-5000
Troy Internal Medicine Fax 248-267-5001
Billing Department 248-267-5000-4
Prior Authorization 248-267-5000-7
Nutrition and Wellness Center 248-952-5083
Nutrition and Wellness Center Fax 248-952-5108
Research 248-312-0025
After Hours (5pm until 7:30 am next day) 248-351-4708
**After hours is 5pm until 7:30 am next day**
15 Minute Rule
If you have NOT been CALLED within 15 MINUTES of checking in, please see the receptionist
Co-Pays
Just a reminder that co-pays are due at the time of service. We do accept personal check, cash, Visa and Mastercard as acceptable forms of payment. Please have your form of payment ready at checkout
Cell Phones at TIM
Please turn off your cell phone upon entering the Troy Internal Medicine suite. There is medical equipment utilized within the suite that is sensitive to cell phone usage. Failure to comply with this request may have a negative effect on the quality of care we offer to you and other patients at Troy Internal Medicine. If you need to make a phone call please take advantage of the area located outside the office suite, near the elevators.
BCN Referral Process
Do you need a specialist referral completed by our office? If your answer is yes, request your referral at least 72 hours prior to your specialist visit.
Please provide the following when requesting a referral:
- DATE OF APPOINTMENT
- DOCTOR’S FIRST AND LAST NAME
- LOCATION
- REASON FOR VISIT
- PHONE & FAX NUMBERS
Prior Authorizations
Prior authorizations are submitted to Troy Internal Medicine by pharmacies on behalf of patients when medications are found to be no longer on a patient’s formulary. Our Prior Authorization Department works on these requests as they are received. Sometimes pharmacies do not submit an automatic request to our Prior Authorization Department. If you need a prior authorization you may request your pharmacy to submit a request on your behalf. If your pharmacy will not submit the request, please provide the following information:
- Your Name
- Your Date of Birth
- Medication name, dose, frequency, and how taken (i.e. oral/injection)
- Insurance information
- Failed/tried medications
- Whether or not you have had a prior authorization for this medication previously
Do You Need a Refill?
Stop! Are you out of your medication?
Before calling the office for a refill please check your pill bottle. Often your physician has provided the pharmacy with a script that contains refills. The refill number will be located on the bottom left of your prescription bottle (i.e. Refills: 3 until 05/01/2019). If there are refills listed on your pill bottle please contact the pharmacy directly to get your refill processed. In the case that you are out of refills, feel free to contact our office directly. One of our receptionists will get a message to your physician to get the process completed. Please be aware that refills may take up to 48 hours to complete. Please call us prior to running out of your medication to ensure that your medication can be refilled in a timely manner.
