We believe that wellness examinations -- for patients of all ages -- are an excellent resource for preventing disease and maintaining optimal health. Age-specific complete physical examination are designed to review and identify your current medical status, past medical history, family history, and social considerations.

Maintaining optimal health is best achieved when potential medical problems are identified in the early stages. You and your family members are encouraged to schedule regular examinations and to actively participate in decisions regarding your good health and medical care.

We are committed to addressing all of your questions and concerns about your medical condition and treatment plan. During your visit, we will take the necessary time to respond to your questions and to provide you with pertinent education on your condition and care. If you have any concerns after your office visit, please call us at (757) 357-3331 or comunicate via the patient portal.

New patients are requested to arrive 15 - 20 minutes early to complete the necessary registration process. Prior to your first appointment with FAMILY MEDICAL CARE OF SMITHFIELD, be sure to contact your previous primary care physician to request that your medical records be sent to us. Please bring the following to your first appointment:

If you need to change your appointment, please provide as much advance notice as possible, so that we may adjust our schedule and care for another patient's medical needs. Late cancellation or no shows will be charged a $25 fee for routine visits and $50 for complete physicals and well child checks.

Please request new medications and prescription refills during your office visit. If you need a refill between office visits, please call our office or submit your request on patient portal and provide 48 hours for us to review and process your request. To minimize your waiting time, you may wish to call your pharmacist to make certain that your prescription is complete before going to your pharmacy.
Federal Law prohibits us from ordering refills for certain medications, such as narcotics, stimulants, and anxiety medication over the phone. Prescriptions for controlled substances now must be picked up in person at the office and cannot be sent directly to the pharmacy. Please keep in mind that good medical care often requires the benefit of an examination before ordering new or additional medication.

Test results will be communicated to you by one of the following ways: During a scheduled follow-up appointment, or by Patient Portal, telephone, or letter. The Patient Portal allows for the most efficient way to communicate your results. If you are not registered, please ask our staff to assist you. If your result is abnormal, we will call you to discuss follow-up testing and directions. If you have not received your results within two weeks of the test, please call our office at (757) 357-3331.

Most insurance carriers require patients to be examined by their primary physician prior to obtaining a referral to a specialist. If your carrier requires a referral to a specialist, be sure to call us before you go to the specialist. Please allow at least 2 working days for us to process your request for a referral to a specialist with your carrier. Most insurance contracts prohibit us from issuing retroactive referrals.

FAMILY MEDICAL CARE OF SMITHFIELD physicians have opted not to maintain hospital privileges at this time. If you require hospitalization for a serious illness, you may be referred to the area hospital of your choosing. Many of these hospitals have Hospitalist Physicians, whose sole responsibility is to provide care to hospitalized patients -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week -- thus your hospital physician is readily available during your stay. We will make certain that your transfer of care for your hospitalization is efficient and that your hospital- based physician has a complete list of your medical problems and current medications. Once you are discharged from the hospital, we will obtain a summary of your hospitalization and resume your care.

Your private health information is confidential and contains privileged information. To assure this confidentiality, information in your medical record will not be released to anyone, including your family members, without your written permission to do so. If you have a Living Will or an Advance Medical Directive, please provide us with a copy to include in your medical record.