We accept many insurance plans, including major medical and union insurance. We will be happy to help process your insurance claim, but ultimately the responsibility for payment belongs to the patient.
| PCP |
Primary Care Physician. Anyone covered by an HMO or managed care plan must be assigned to a PCP. |
| Cobra |
An extension of the current insurance plan, which the employee chooses (to pay extra) to continue coverage. |
| Consultation |
A visit with a doctor or other healthcare provider to discuss diagnosis and/or treatment; no procedures will be done at this time unless separately authorized. |
| FVM |
Fox Valley Medicine. FVM is the managed care subcontracting group that we are contracted with. FVM reviews all referral inquiries and negotiates contacts with the insurance companies. |
| H&P |
History and Physical. (Also called Medical Clearance) An H&P is sometimes required prior to surgery to ensure that the patient is in good enough health to undergo the procedure. The PCP or the surgeon can do this. It is usually done one week prior to surgery. |
| HMO |
Health Maintenance Organization. Insurance in which an approval (referral) must be provided for any consultation or services done outside of your PCP's office. |
| IPA |
Independent Physicians Association. Fox Valley Medicine is an IPA which works between the insurance companies and healthcare providers. |
| POS |
Point of Service. A referral is required for many services done by your PCP as well as for tests, labs, and procedures or for a consultation by a specialist. |
| PPO |
Preferred Provider Organization. Under a PPO plan a PCP does not need to be selected yet the benefits booklet will list physicians that are preferred providers. An order by your doctor may be required at times but a referral is not needed. |
| Referral/"Referral"/order |
Sometimes you may be given a verbal referral (recommendation) to see another doctor. If you are covered on a PPO plan this would be acceptable. If you are covered on an HMO a "Referral" will be necessary. This means a benefit inquiry must be presented to Fox Valley Medicine and, when authorized, the patient will be notified. For certain tests a written order from the doctor is all that is necessary. |
