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, and Visa or Mastercard (credit not debit) are accepted. Checks are accepted only from established patients. A coded receipt is available upon request for you to file with your insurance or to apply toward your health plan deductible. We do not file insurance claims (resulting in a 30% business overhead reduction, and we pass that 30% along to you through our low prices.)

Telephone calls from patients are always welcome (if we can't answer, leave voicemail and we'll call you back.) We reserve the right to charge for an extended counseling telephone session, or for urgent refills requested after hours due to failure to make a timely appointment. We will inform you when you call if your needs will result in any charge.
Example charges:
Counseling 10-15 min     $25
Counseling 15-25 min     $50
Refills requested on weekends, evenings, or holidays     $25

Availability of our physicians is limited.  Guaranteed 24-hour coverage of emergencies is not an offered service, but emergency services (including work-related injuries) can often be provided both during and outside of our usual clinic hours, on a phone-negotiated basis. Just call us at 810-623-8182 when your need arises, and we'll discuss whether we can meet your emergency needs at a fair price and in a timely manner.

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.

Long-term medication therapy requires periodic scheduled office visits (at least every 3 months for controlled substances and at least every 6 months for other prescription meds.) Failure to return for an office visit within these time limits will result in a one-time 30-day refill contingent upon making an appointment within the following 30 days.

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.

Fees for additional services
Since we do not participate in insurance plans, we reserve the right to charge for our time spent negotiating with your insurer or other agencies . on matters you may require.
Example fees:
Prior authorizations for insurances     $25
Brief letters for other agencies     $25
Medication forms for schools     $10

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