Frequently Asked Questions

An internist is a physician who has completed residency training in Internal Medicine. Internal Medicine focuses on the health care needs of adults ages 18 and over. In addition to providing primary care services to adults, internists have been trained to care for critically ill patients in hospitals. They have diagnosed and treated a wide variety of medical diseases that may affect you now and as you grow older.

A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who has undergone advanced formal education and training in a wide range of health care services. Nurse practitioners are skilled in physical examination and the treatment of many common primary care and gynecologic problems, both acute and chronic. They provide some of the same care as physicians including writing prescriptions and referring to specialists. They have close working relationships with physicians.

Family practice doctors receive three years of training in adult medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology. Family practice doctors take care of families. Internal medicine doctors receive three years of training in adult medicine only; they have undergone specialized training in preventing, diagnosing and treating a wide variety of medical illnesses, including critically ill patients. General practice doctors in the past took care of all types of medical problems. General practice doctors do not have board certification in a medical specialty.

YES, we are currently accepting new patients aged 21 and older.

You can schedule an appointment by calling our office at (727) 820-7800 during business hours. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For existing patients, you may also request appointments through our patient portal. We offer same-day appointments for urgent matters when available.

For your first visit, please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card(s), a list of current medications including dosages, any relevant medical records from previous providers, and a list of questions or concerns you would like to discuss. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete new patient paperwork, or download and complete the forms from our Patient Forms page in advance.

We accept most major insurance plans including Medicare and many commercial insurance providers. Please contact our office at (727) 820-7800 to verify that we accept your specific insurance plan. We recommend bringing your insurance card to every appointment to ensure we have the most current information on file.

Yes, we offer telehealth appointments for established patients for certain types of visits. Telehealth visits are ideal for follow-up appointments, medication management, and discussion of test results. Some conditions require an in-person examination. Contact our office to determine if telehealth is appropriate for your needs.

To get a refill on your medications please have your pharmacy contact us either electronically or by fax at (727) 820-7801. We will process your request within 48 hours of receiving the fax. Please make sure you request your medications prior to running out of them.

We require at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows us to offer the time slot to other patients who may need care. Repeated missed appointments or late cancellations may result in a fee or discharge from the practice.

Yes, we provide comprehensive annual physical examinations including preventive screenings appropriate for your age and health history. These visits typically include a complete physical exam, review of your medical history, medication review, assessment of health risk factors, and age-appropriate screenings such as blood work and cancer screenings.

Yes, we offer convenient lab services at our office. We can perform many common lab tests including blood work, urinalysis, and other diagnostic tests. Some specialized tests may need to be sent to an outside laboratory. Lab results are typically available within a few days and will be discussed with you by your provider.

To request a copy of your medical records, please submit a signed authorization form to our office. You can download the form from our Patient Forms page. Processing may take 7-10 business days.

Yes, managing chronic conditions is a core part of internal medicine. We provide comprehensive care for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, asthma, COPD, thyroid disorders, and many other chronic illnesses. We focus on prevention, disease management, and helping you maintain the best possible quality of life.

Our concierge medicine program offers enhanced, personalized healthcare with same-day or next-day appointments, longer visit times, 24/7 direct access to your physician, minimal wait times, and comprehensive preventive care. This membership-based program allows us to limit our patient panel and provide more focused, individualized attention. Visit our Concierge Medicine page for more details.

Yes, we provide a full range of adult vaccinations including annual flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, pneumonia vaccines, shingles vaccines, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), hepatitis vaccines, and travel vaccines. We will review your immunization history and recommend vaccines based on your age, health conditions, and lifestyle.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Our office is equipped to handle urgent medical concerns during business hours, but we are not an emergency facility. For after-hours urgent concerns, please call our office number and follow the prompts to reach our on-call provider.

We operate primarily by appointment to ensure adequate time with each patient and minimize wait times. However, we make every effort to accommodate same-day appointments for urgent medical concerns. Please call our office at (727) 820-7800 and we will do our best to see you promptly.

New patient appointments are typically scheduled for 60 minutes to allow for a comprehensive evaluation. Follow-up appointments are usually 15-30 minutes depending on the complexity of your concerns. Annual physical exams are scheduled for 45-60 minutes. If you have multiple concerns to discuss, please let our staff know when scheduling so we can allocate appropriate time.

Yes, when necessary, we provide referrals to trusted specialists in the St. Petersburg area and throughout Tampa Bay. We work closely with specialists in cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, pulmonology, dermatology, and many other specialties. We coordinate your care to ensure seamless communication between providers.

We provide comprehensive internal medicine services including cardiovascular care, endocrine disorders (diabetes, thyroid disease), gastrointestinal conditions, pulmonary care, dermatologic concerns, psychiatric conditions, and general preventive medicine. Our physicians have extensive training in managing complex medical conditions and coordinating care for patients with multiple health issues.

For non-emergency questions after hours, you may leave a message at (727) 820-7800 and we will return your call the next business day. For urgent medical concerns after hours, call our main number and follow the prompts to reach our on-call provider. For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911.

Yes, preventive care is a cornerstone of our practice. We offer age-appropriate health screenings including cholesterol testing, diabetes screening, blood pressure monitoring, cancer screenings (colorectal, breast, cervical, prostate, lung), bone density testing, and cardiovascular risk assessment. We create personalized prevention plans based on your age, family history, and risk factors.

We accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Payment is expected at the time of service. We will file insurance claims on your behalf, but you are responsible for any copays, deductibles, or non-covered services. We also offer payment plans for certain services upon request.