LIFESPAN HEALTH FAq
APPOINTMENTS
Information for appointments and scheduling at Lifespan Health
Multiple ways to collaborate and receive care…
In a world with numerous connectivity options, our Lifespan providers offer several appointment options…
NEW PATIENTS
For local patients, an onsite, in-person visit is much preferred. This allows for a more thorough evaluation at the onset–allowing for appropriate physical examination, lab testing, and a chance to meet and get to know the Lifespan team.
For outstate Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida patients, we offer virtual video visits, particularly if in-person visits are not logistically possible.
ESTABLISHED PATIENTS
In-person visits are always nice, but not always necessary. Virtual video visits are available, whether local, outstate, or in another state. Phone visits, while not ideal, may be scheduled if circumstances make that necessary.
Care options for patients in other states or countries…
Our providers may be able to consult with and treat patients remotely, whether in another state or another country. We abide by each state’s medical statutes regarding telemedicine with out-of-state providers. Sometimes this requires an initial onsite encounter, with follow-up visits by telemedicine. Our administrative specialist can help you with those specifics.
Currently our providers are licensed or certified in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Florida
For our integrative cancer program and therapeutic plasma exhange procedure we also offer virtual “informational visits” for patients who would like to determine if Lifespan Health meets their needs and goals. With these visits, the provider is limited to an informational discussion, but cannot offer any diagnosis or treatment options (per interstate telemedicine rules).
Reminders by text, phone and email…
In our busy lives, we may need reminders. So, Lifespan Health sends automatic appointment confirmations and reminders, generally as follows…
At the time the appointment is scheduled, a confirmation email and text is sent to you, along with relevant medical intake forms and HIPPA documents (for new patients). Two days before your appointment, you will receive email and text reminders. Please confirm as directed. If we have not received a confirmation from you by 24 hours prior to your appointment, we will give you a call to confirm.
You didn’t call, you didn’t write, you didn’t text…
Maybe, despite our reminders, you forgot.
Maybe something came up and you lost track of time.
There must be a good reason…
Regardless, the appointment time reserved especially for you remained empty and unattended. We hope you understand that Lifespan needs to still charge for that unused time …
– For missed new patient consultations, we will need to charge the full cost.
– For missed established patient consultations, we will need to charge 50% of the cost (for the first missed appointment, and the full cost for subsequent missed appointments).
– For missed infusion appointments, there will be a $75 charge–to help cover the cost of infusion (which we may have already mixed for you).
– For missed aesthetic and orthopedic procedures, there is a a $75 charge, and we will ask you to pre-pay to schedule again.
Getting to know you…
Lifespan Health clinicians rely on an accurate patient medical history to ensure that you are provided with a relevant and comprehensive treatment plan.
For New Patients: In our collaborative endeavor with you, we will ask you to complete an initial new patient intake. We may also request that you complete additional questionnaires, treatment timelines, and condition-specific intakes.
For Established Patients: you will receive an electronic intake update form, to list interval changes in medications, supplements, and demographics. These intake forms sync with the clinic’s electronic medical records, and save appointment time–allowing us to focus on you.
FINANCIAL GUIDANCE AND INFORMATIO
To answer questions about payments, insurance and financing
Multiple ways to pay for Lifespan Health services and products…
Lifespan Health operates on a fee-for-service model, which aligns with the comprehensive nature of our patient care. We remain one of the more affordable comprehensive Integrative/Function Medicine centers in the Twin Cities and Midwest.
Patients are afforded these payment options: – Cash – Check – Credit Card: Visa, Mastercard, American Express and others. (We may add a 2.5% surcharge to cover the cost of credit card transactions, for transactions over $100).
Financing: You may be able to take advantage of one of Lifespan’s medical financing programs. Please inquire with administrative staff for details.
We ask that your bill be paid at the time of your visit.
As a fee-for-service clinic, Lifespan is unable to directly work with your health insurance, but we do accept HSA cards for most services.
Lifespan patients with health insurance may be able to be reimbursed for Lifespan services, and patients are encouraged to submit receipts to their insurance provider.
Patients have the opportunity to utilize the Reimbursify program, which improves the chances of at least partial insurer reimbursement of Lifespan payments. We are happy to acquaint you with the program.
Just a few simple policies and requests:
– We ask for payment at the time of service.
– If you are receiving services on multiple days, then payment at the end of the week is fine.
– For telehealth visits, we send an online invoice, offering you secure payment options, and the opportunity for prompt payment.
– When we special order products for patients, we ask for pre-payment.
PRIVACY AND HEALTH INFORMATION SECURITY
Every member of the Lifespan Health team takes your medical privacy very seriously, and diligently guards your private information.
We will provide you with the Lifespan HIPPA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) policy, as required by federal mandate.
Our commitment to medical record privacy includes:
– Utilizing a HIPPA-compliant electronic medical record system and patient portal.
– Sharing laboratory results via HIPPA-compliant portals.
– Only sharing your medical information with persons that you approve.
The patient portal for Lifespan Health is called Follow My Health. All patients receive an invitation to enroll in the portal. Some of the benefits of this secure, HIPPA-compliant portal include:
– Easy communications with Lifespan staff and clinicians.
– Care plans are uploaded to Follow My Health.
– PDF documents can be securely sent from patients to Lifespan staff and clinicians. These may include additional treatment plans, medication and supplement lists, and more.