Yes. Membership benefits are only for insurance non-covered services. You will be responsible for any co-payment or co-insurance amount. I will attempt to refer you to in-network physicians for any necessary consultations and to in-network facilities for diagnostic tests and hospitalizations as medically indicated. All procedures and services not performed in my office will be billed by the performing entity. Those services will then be covered according to your particular insurance plan.

As a courtesy, we will submit my office and hospital visit charges directly to your insurance carrier. These charges are not included in your annual fee.

It is unlikely that the annual fee amount will be reimbursable. It may be possible to utilize funds from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) toward the annual fee. You should consult your human resources representative, FSA or HSA plan manager or your tax advisor.

Yes. I will continue to bill Medicare and your supplemental insurer on your behalf as required by law. You will be still be responsible to pay any co-payment or co-insurance amount as required by Medicare.

No. The annual fee only includes services and benefits that are not covered by Medicare (or any other payer) and will not be paid for or reimbursed by Medicare. I will continue to submit claims to Medicare and to your supplemental insurance on your behalf for Medicare covered services.

Your annual fee may be paid in full by check annually or the annual fee may be paid by credit card annually or semi-annually. If you opt for a semi-annual payment option, the second half of your fee will automatically be charged to the credit card you indicated on your initial sign-up.

Insurance co-payment and co-insurance amounts are still your responsibility. Membership benefits are only for insurance non-covered services as stated in the Membership Benefits.

The fee is a medical-related expense and may be deductible. You are advised to consult with your tax advisor to clarify qualifications in your particular instance.

Your annual fee covers membership in David R Buyer, MD SC and for other amenities listed on the Member Benefits page. All procedures and services not performed in my office will be billed by the performing entity.

If you have a life threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. I will assist in the coordination of your emergency care thereafter. I ask that you contact me before going to an urgent care facility at any time of the day or night. I will attempt to address the urgent after-hours problems directly.

I am affiliated with Rush University Medical Center and Northshore University Health System.

If you are admitted to Rush University Medical center I can see you in the hospital and continue to advocate on your behalf. However, Rush has mandated hospitalists for all admissions as other medical centers have done.

My goal is to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via cell phone and electronic messaging. There may be infrequent occasions when I am out of town or otherwise unavailable. In these situations a trusted colleague will serve as my covering physician.

Call 911 if you have a life-threatening emergency. Call me first if the problem is minor. If you seek care at an emergency room or urgent care center out of our area, please have the doctor seeing you call me for coordination. If you should require hospitalization while away, I will, at your request, attempt to establish phone communication with you and your attending physician(s) to ensure continuity of care.

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

Yes. Paying your annual fee allows you to be a member of the practice whether you are sick or well. You are encouraged to use the benefits and amenities offered, regardless of your state of health.

If you move and wish to secure a new primary care physician, the annual fee will be refunded on a pro-rated basis. If the relationship is otherwise terminated, the annual fee may be pro-rated or forfeited, to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the practice. 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.

Yes. 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 of my patients.