Northeast Iowa Family Practice Center
Family Practice Center - Health Care for the Individual and Family
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a residency program? top
The Family Medicine Residency Program is the branch of the Foundation which provides physicians with three years of postgraduate training in the specialty of family medicine. During their training, resident physicians provide comprehensive health care under the supervision of board certified family medicine physicians. Upon graduation, these physicians provide a source of family physicians choosing to practice in this and surrounding communities. During their three-year training program, the physicians receive training in internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, surgery, pediatrics, emergency medicine, family medicine, community medicine, psychiatry and behavioral science, orthopedics, otorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology and dermatology. In addition, they may use elective time to concentrate on specialties and sub-specialties of their choice.

Why are your doctors called residents? top
Once a physician receives a Doctor or Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, continue on to a residency program (see above) for additional training in a specific specialty such as Family Medicine and are referred to as resident physicians during their three year residency.

What Insurances do you accept? top
We accept all major insurances including Medicare, Medicaid, Wellmark, John Deere and most managed care plans. However, we would urge you to call your insurance company to verify covered services on your plan. For more information, you may call our insurance department at 319-272-2112 and follow the prompts.

Do you accept Title IX? top
Yes. We take all types of Title IX for Black Hawk Co. as well as Regular Title IX and Medipass for surrounding counties.

I don’t have insurance coverage. Can I still come to your office? top
Yes. There are other methods for payment. We accept cash, check and credit cards, or you may visit with our credit advisor to work out a payment plan.

I have my annual pelvic exam and breast exam with my GYN doctor. Do I still need a physical from my family doctor? top
Yes. There is much more involved in an adult health examination than a pelvic exam, Pap smear, and breast examination. Your physician will screen for early detection and possible prevention of diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, lipid disorders (cholesterol levels) and osteoporosis. Your family physician will be screening for other, non gynecological problems such as depression and other high risk factors based on family history. In addition, your physician should cover topics such as living wills and age appropriate risk factors for you, such as nutrition, seat belts, wearing a helmet, or working to prevent falls or accidents in your home. Many adults have chronic conditions that should be monitored regularly that would not be routine during a visit to your gynecologist. While we would not want to interrupt your relationship with your gynecologist, our physicians routinely include gynecologic exams as part of the adult health exams for our female patients.

If I am admitted to the hospital, who would take care of me? top
Family Practice has an In-Patient Team of physicians. There are 4 resident physicians led by a faculty physician. If your primary physician is not on the hospital team that week, then your physician is advised once you are admitted. Communication between your physician and the Team is ongoing. Most hospital stays will require a follow-up visit in the office sometime after you are discharged and you will see your primary physician.

How do I get a prescription refilled? top
Our telephone system is set up with an Automated Prescription Request line. Dial 319-272-2112 and follow the prompt to prescription refills. If you have questions or do not have your prescription information, you may select the Triage Nurse prompt on the phone system and discuss your refills with her.

Will my doctor call in a prescription for me without being seen in the office? top
It varies depending on a number of factors such as if the prescription is new or a refill, how long it’s been since you were seen, if it is an ongoing problem or new symptoms. These types of decisions are made based on what is in the best interest of the patient. More often than not, the provider will want to see you to be sure you are receiving the right medication.

What is the difference between an MD and a DO? top
An MD is a Doctor of Medicine and a DO is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. They basically cover the same subjects during four years of medical schools and can choose to practice and become board certified in any specialty. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine has some additional training in musculoskeletal medicine, including osteopathic manipulative treatments, which they may include in their practice.

Are you accepting new patients? top
Yes. We have approximately 24 family practice physicians seeing patients at the Northeast Iowa Family Practice Center. We ask our new patients to come in 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time to fill out new patient history and insurance information. We also urge new patients to bring previous medical records, if available, and a list of their current medications.

How do I get a copy of my medical records? top
You will need to stop at the receptionist desk and fill out a Release of Information form. That form is sent to the Medical Records Department where they will copy your records and forward them to your new healthcare provider. If you do not have a new provider, or would rather hand carry them to your new provider, once the copy is made, we will call you and you can come to the office and pick it up. We do charge a fee to cover copy costs as well as personnel time, and, if requested, you will be given an estimate on the charges prior to the work being done.

How do I get my medical records transferred here? top
You have a choice. You may either contact your previous healthcare provider and request that your records be transferred to our office. They will direct you as to the steps you will need to take. Or, if you prefer, you may come into our office and sign a Release of Information form. This will enable us to contact your previous healthcare provider and have them send us a copy of your healthcare records directly.

Do you give free pregnancy tests? top
Free pregnancy testing is available through our Enhanced OB Department. If a patient suspects that she is pregnant, she can receive a free pregnancy test. If, however, the patient is establishing confirmation of non-pregnancy through pregnancy testing in order to receive depo provera birth control, then the patient would be charged for the pregnancy test.

Which hospital(s) do your doctors go to? top
Family Practice physicians admit patients at both Allen Memorial Hospital and Covenant Medical Center.

Will my regular doctor deliver my baby? top
In most all instances, yes. The Family Practice Center physicians make every effort to see their own obstetrical patients throughout the pregnancy and into the labor and delivery process.

Do you take care of newborns? top
Yes. We can follow the mother throughout the pregnancy, labor and delivery and will then take care of the baby. Family Practice physicians are uniquely trained to cover all facets of the family care- newborn to geriatric care.

Are your doctors Board Certified? top
All of our physicians are licensed by the State of Iowa, and all of our faculty physicians are Board Certified. Board Certification is obtained through the American Board of Family Medicine. . In order to receive that certification, a physician must complete three years of training in the specialty of Family Medicine. That is what the resident physicians are working toward as they go through their residency. Once they complete the three years, they become Board eligible and will take the nationally recognized examination for Board Certification.

If you still have questions after reading through these, please don't hesitate to contact us.