1. Who is WellMed?

WellMed is a practice management company who provides operational services to over 20 medical clinics located throughout San Antonio, Boerne, Bulverde, Pleasanton, McQueeny, New Braunfels, Austin, and the Treasure Coast of Florida. WellMed is not an insurance company. Our doctors and staff provide your health care.

2. Are WellMed physicians board certified?

The majority of our physicians are board certified. We also have our own credentialing department who verifies and tracks the credentials and licensures of all of our physicians and physician assistants.

3. What is a PA?

A PA is a Physician Assistant who can provide healthcare services under the supervision of a physician.

4. What type of qualifications does a PA have?

They must have graduated from an accredited college or university and have an advanced degree as a Physician Assistant. WellMed only accepts 4 years accredited, Board Certified PAs.

5. What types of services are PAs qualified to perform?

PAs are qualified to: take your medical history, conduct examinations, order and interpret lab and X-rays, make diagnosis, prescribe medications, remove skin tags or moles and treat minor injuries by splinting, suturing and casting.

6. Which health plans is WellMed contracted with?

WellMed is contracted with most health care plans and Medicare + Choice plans.

7. How do I find out if my specialist is contracted with WellMed?

As a patient of WellMed, you should speak with your primary care physician directly regarding the contracted specialists with his/her medical group as the list of specialists may vary by medical group.

8. What is a value added service?

A value added service is a service that your health insurance plan typically does not offer under its covered benefits. As a WellMed patient, we offer additional services such as disease management programs, extra transportation services, prescription assistance programs, glasses benefit and WellMed Senior Services just to name a few.

9. How many locations does WellMed have?

WellMed has over 20 medical groups and over 40 affiliated physicians conveniently located throughout the Greater San Antonio area and the Treasure Coast of Florida.

10. How do I join a Prescription Assistance Program?

WellMed Medical Management would like to assist you in applying for government-sponsored programs such as: Medicare Savings Programs (receive over $96.40 more each month/ $1156.80 more each year in your Social Security check), other programs are currently being developed.

You will not lose any current health benefits. In reality, you may qualify for additional healthcare benefits and save money too. This personal help is offered at NO COST to you and will not be used for any other purpose - Simply to enhance your healthcare benefits and save you money.

WellMed Medical Management has qualified professionals to help you through the application process. If you prefer to contact us directly, you may call our local toll free number at 1-800-295-3315 Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm CST.

11. How do I file a complaint?

Patient Satisfaction is very important to us. If our patients are not satisfied with the services they received during their visit, we encourage them visit with the Administrator or Supervisor at the WellMed Medical Group before you leave to address and resolve any issues. WellMed also has a dedicated Patient Advocate staff at our local Corporate office that you may contact. Our Patient Advocates track and assist patients with their complaints so that we may continue to improve our services - this is not possible without your help. Our Customer Service phone number is (210) 615-WELL (9355) or you may contact us by email at customerservice@wellmed.net.

12. When should I get my annual flu shot?

As a WellMed Medicare patient, our medical groups conduct free annual flu clinics at their facilities usually during the months of October and November. Watch for notices at your clinics for dates and times or talk to your doctor.

13. How does WellMed protect my patient health information?

With the new Patient Privacy Act effective April 14, 2003, WellMed has implemented various policies and procedures as well as staff and provider training regarding the protection of patient health information. When patients or someone on their behalf calls into the medical group inquiring about a patient's health information or to verify an appointment, he/she (even if person is the patient) will be asked to answer three questions regarding the patient's personal information to assist in the protection of the information. Our patient consent form also has an area on the form so patients can provide us permission to release their information to certain persons.

14. What do I do if I have an emergency after hours when my medical group is closed?

All WellMed Medical Groups have a provider on-call after office hours, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The answering service will notify the provider on-call of your urgent or emergency need. The on-call provider will then call you back and provide appropriate directions for your health care needs.

15. How do I participate in a clinical research program?

You may simply click on www.wellmedclinicalresearch.net which will inform you of the current studies and who you may contact regarding enrollment.

16. What is a disease management program?

A disease management program provides you with education about diseases such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, COPD, and asthma. WellMed believes the more you know about your disease; and the more tools you have, the easier it will be to manage and live a healthy lifestyle. If you are interested in one of our programs, please speak with your WellMed Primary Care Physician or call (210) 615-WELL (9355) for more information.