Privacy in the physician-patient relationship is essential.   In traditional private medicine, third parties do not intrude into the decision-making process regarding your health care.  Rather, your physician will help you to personally decide which treatment options are the most cost-effective and in accord with your values and beliefs. 

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) are utilized at St. Luke Hometown Healthcare.  Our state of the art EMR system, stored securely in off-site professionally-managed computers, are transmitted to and from our clinic only via a secure encrypted format which is HIPAA-compliant.  Only St. Luke Hometown Healthcare providers (and any others you specifically name in writing) are permitted access to your records.  You have a right to a printed copy of your records, subject to a nominal printing charge, upon request.  We do not release your records to any third parties without your prior written permission (the only exception would be an enforceable government subpoena.)  Electronic records are more secure than paper charts, both against unauthorized intrusion or alteration, and against accidental destruction.   Finally, electronic records significantly reduce the cost of ancillary office staff time, a saving which we pass along to you via our low cash prices.

Payment in full at time of service is expected.  Cash, major credit and debit cards, and local checks are accepted.   A coded receipt is available upon request to file with your insurance or to apply toward your health plan deductible.   We do not file insurance claims (a 30% business overhead increase is typical for practices that do, and we pass that 30% saving along to you through our low prices.)

Telephone calls from new patients are always welcome (if we can’t answer leave voicemail and we’ll call you back.)  Established patients may be charged for after-hours calls for matters other than to follow-up concerning recent care.

Availability of our physicians is limited.  24-hour coverage of emergencies is not an offered service, but we are happy to see you as a walk-in whenever we are open and have time (generally first-come-first-served except for on-site emergencies or prior appointments.)

All are welcome and will be treated with respect and kindness, regardless of gender, disability, race, creed, or national origin.  

Prescribing Policies
In keeping with ancient medical and Christian tradition, we do not prescribe artificial birth control.   Resources for natural family planning are available. Pain will be carefully assessed, and treated acutely, according to the best standard medical practices.  It is our policy to refer chronic pain patients, who require long-term narcotic therapy, to pain specialty clinics.

Prescriptions
Many generic over-the-counter and prescription medications are available at reasonable prices at St. Luke Hometown Healthcare.  This is for your convenience, and there is no requirement that you get any or all of your prescriptions filled at the clinic.  We only fill prescriptions for patients whom we have treated in the clinic.

Laboratory Tests
Some routine (“CLIA-waived”) tests can be performed onsite at the clinic.  Blood and other tests (which will be performed offsite by a national laboratory chain) can be drawn/collected right at the clinic for a nominal processing fee (in addition to the low cash price for the lab test itself, which is collected in advance in order to keep the lab prices as low as possible.)  You also have the option to take your lab order form, and to make payment, directly to any outside lab of your choice.

Medical Supplies