Follow us on Twitter
Like us on Facebook
Patient Education
We recommend browsing the following sites for important health information. You may also enter a question directly into the search box below:
Click a link below to view:
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions can be found below:
|
I. II. III. |
Fees Appointments Concerns |
|||
|
I. Fees How much will it cost for my visit? The cost of your visit is dependent on two factors: 1. Your household income and the size of your family determine the level of discount you receive; 2. What occurs during your visit and any tests the doctor may order. What are your fees? Greater Elgin Family Care Center’s fee schedule is comparable to other medical fees in the Elgin area. However, GEFCC offers a sliding fee discount to those who qualify. What discount do I qualify for? Sliding Fee Discounts are given to patients who are below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Proof of income is required to qualify for a discount, and must be updated annually. What are poverty levels? Poverty levels are set by the federal government and are updated annually. Poverty levels are based on household income and the number of members in your family. What is a sliding fee scale? A sliding fee scale means that GEFCC fees are discounted by a predetermined percentage that is based on your family size and household income. For example: If you are at or below 100% of poverty (based on the federal poverty guidelines) then you will receive a discount of 90% off our regular fees. However, if you are above 200% of poverty, you do not qualify for the sliding fee scale. Do I have to pay today? Yes, payment is expected at the time of service. If you cannot pay for all of your fees, you can pay a portion today and make payment arrangements with the cashier. However, all lab fees must be paid in full before you can go to the lab. It is GEFCC policy that no one will be turned away for an inability to pay. |
||||
|
II. Appointments How do I make an appointment? To make an appointment at any of our locations, call (847) 608-1344, or just walk into the health center location, even if you don’t have an appointment. Can I see a provider today? Yes, if you do not have an appointment and need to see a Provider, you can walk-in to any of our locations and be seen by the first available Provider. What is your Walk-In policy? Greater Elgin Family Care Center’s walk-in policy is that all walk-ins will be seen on a first come first served basis, with the exception of sick children who have priority. Walk-in patients wait for a cancellation or for a “no-show” appointment slot. A no-show appointment slot is created when a patient with an appointment is late or does not show up for their appointment. How long will I have to wait for an appointment slot as a walk-in? How long you wait depends on two factors: 1. The number of patients on the walk-in list ahead of you; and 2. The number of Providers providing care at that time. If I come in as a walk-in, can you promise I’ll get an appointment? No, we cannot promise you will get an appointment slot. We do our best to see all walk-ins, however, there may be more walk-in patients than there are available appointment slots. GEFCC recommends that you arrive as early as possible to ensure you get an appointment slot. I’m under 18, can I come in alone for my medical appointment? No, we are required to get permission from your parent or legal guardian to provide medical services. Your legal guardian must be present at your initial visit. Does my parent have to authorize a visit for birth control? No, the law allows minors between the ages of 13 and 18 to authorize treatment for family planning matters. Family planning matters include: Pregnancy testing, STD testing, and birth control. Can an adult, other than the parents/legal guardian of a child, bring the child in for his/her medical visit? The parent or legal guardian must be present at the first visit to authorize treatment. However, at subsequent visits an adult who is not a parent or legal guardian can bring the child in for a medical visit IF and ONLY IF they have a note signed by the parent/legal guardian authorizing them to bring the child for medical treatment. GEFCC will verify that the signature on the note belongs to a parent/legal guardian before the child can be seen by a provider. Can I make an appointment for someone else? Yes, you can make an appointment for anyone. However, you can only get information on an appointment for yourself, unless you are a parent getting information on your child’s appointment. If I call, can you tell me if my child has been seen by a provider? No, we cannot release this type of information unless we have a signed release of information form. I’m pregnant and need an appointment for prenatal care - do you have Ob/Gyn providers? Yes, we have Ob/Gyn providers. You will start your prenatal care with a qualified family practice provider and transfer to an Ob/Gyn as your pregnancy progresses. When I make an appointment for a pap smear, my appointment is with a family practice provider instead of a Gynecologist - why is that? Pap smears and family planning are part of the routine medical care that is offered by family practice providers. You will be referred to one of our gynecologists if your condition requires a specialist. Do you offer evening or weekend appointments? Yes, our Seneca and Summit Health Centers are open until at least 7:30 pm Mondays through Thursdays, and until 5:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Summit Health Center is also open from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm on Sundays. What hospitals do you work with? Presence St. Joseph’s Hospital Where are you located? Our main health center, Summit Health Center, is located at 370 Summit Street in Elgin, IL. For a listing of all our service sites, including full-time health centers and school-based clinics, please click here. III. Concerns What happens if I have a concern that has not been resolved? If you, as a patient of Greater Elgin Family Care Center, have a concern about patient care or safety that has not been addressed, please ask to speak with a manager in order to resolve the issue.
|
||||
