FAQs

Being board certified in Family Practice means a doctor must have completed three years of specialty training beyond completion of the medical degree and have passed the national examinations of the American Board of Family Practice.  Every six years the specialty requires 300 hours of continuing education and a national recertification exam.  All of our physicians are board certified.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) must complete a masterˈs or doctoral degree program and have advanced clinical training beyond their initial registered nurse preparation.  Didactic and clinical courses prepare nurses with specialized knowledge to practice in health care settings.   Family Nurse Practitioners have specialized in family medicine and provide medical care to patients throughout the lifespan, from newborns to the elderly.  NPs perform medical histories, physical examinations, diagnose and treat common illnesses and injuries, order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, prescribe medications, and perform medical procedures.  NPs undergo national certification, state professional licensure and continuing education requirements.

A physician assistant (PA) is a specially trained health provider who gives medical care under the supervision of a licensed doctor.  A PA is trained to complete medical histories and physical examinations, perform many medical procedures, medications, and give direct patient care for most problems in family medicine.  PAs are also required to fulfill similar continuing educations requirements and a national recertification exam every six years.

Triage is a concept in which a Registered Nurse assists to improve the communications between the medical provider and the patient.  Our triage nurse is capable of answering many basic questions from patients, relaying lab results and medication changes from the medical provider, as well as obtaining additional information requested by the medical provider to enhance your quality of care.

Our counselors and psychologists help people cope with failed jobs, marriages, or family relationships; with sexual issues; with depression, anxiety and other troubling emotions.  When there are related medical problems the counselors coordinate care with the client’s personal physician.  A wide range of assessment services is also available.

We are a group practice.  If you desire to see a particular provider, please schedule your routine appointments well in advance.  We will make every effort to meet your request.  For illnesses or injuries it may be necessary for you to see whichever provider is available.  Please feel free to write down any questions that you may have to discuss with your provider.

Payment is expected at the time of service.  Our office does participate with Major insurance plans.  If we have an agreement with your insurance company, we will gladly submit the claim on your behalf once your co-payment and deductible amounts have been met.  Our receptionists have been instructed to make a copy of your insurance card at each visit.   It is your responsibility to be informed of the details of your health insurance coverage.

During office hours, urgent needs will be worked into our schedule.
During office hours, urgent needs will be worked into our schedule.
Situations deemed to be true emergencies will be directed to the ER. After hours call (717) 597-3151 to be connected with the Physician on Call. Call 911 if you believe your condition to be of a critical nature..

The MEDENT Patient Portal provides you with secure, online access to portions of your medical records, as well as an easy and convenient way to communicate with the practice through a secure internet connection.  Think of it as an online account for your doctor’s office, similar to online banking or credit card accounts you may currently have.  Once you are logged into your portal account, the information you view pulls from your own personal medical record.  Only you will have access to your health records, including any messages or information sent to you from the practice.  With the patient portal you will be able to:
► Send and receive non-urgent messages and information from our office, including test results and educational material.

► Easily notify the practice of changes to your personal information, including phone number, address, and insurance changes.

► Request a refill for a medication prescribed by one of our providers.

► View upcoming and previous appointments.

► View and/or print your current medications and allergy list.

In order to have a patient portal account you will need to already be a patient at this practice.  To activate your account, you will need to receive an activation code from us.  Once you have received the code, you will be able to create your own username, password, and other login information used to verify your identity.  If you would like to activate your portal account, please contact the office after 1/1/2012 to receive your activation code.
►Click here to reach the MEDENT Patient Portal:  PATIENT PORTAL

We take great care to make sure your health information is kept private and secure.  The MEDENT Patient Portal uses HTTPS to provide encrypted communication between you and our office.  Access to your portal account is controlled through secure access codes, personal ID’s, and passwords.  Only you will have access to the login information needed to view your account.

It helps you take a more active role in your healthcare.  Having a patient portal account helps the practice create a more accurate record of your medical history as well as educate you on certain aspects of your health.  It provides you and the practice with a more efficient means of communication, eliminating sources of frustration such as phone tag.  You will also be able to print or download portions of your chart to take with you to other providers participating in your care, thus reducing the amount of paperwork you may need to fill out.  Documents, letters, and orders that might otherwise be mailed to you can be sent quickly and conveniently to your portal account.  You will continue to have access to these documents until you choose to delete them from your inbox, so you won’t have to worry about important medical papers or letters getting lost.