Patient FAQ

HOW IS ISLAND DOCTORS DIFFERENT THAN TRADITIONAL PHYSICIAN OFFICES?

It is the same as asking the difference between preventative as oppose to fix-it medicine. It is a mind set change to how medicine has been practiced and viewed over the past 50 years.

If you are like most people, you call on your doctor only when something is off. But seeing your doctor when you are not can actually keep you well. Experts recommend screenings and preventative check ups throughout life. These screenings help identify medical conditions early, before they start causing symptoms.

For many health conditions, early detection is critical to treating the problem effectively, and often in a less invasive manner. To increase awareness of illnesses that affect retirees, Island Doctors offers complimentary screenings: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and body-mass-index checks at community events and at our locations across Florida.

For our Medicare Advantage patients, we offer more extensive services : ABI, EKG, Spirometry, Bone Density, and other in-house screenings to aid in illness prevention and early disease detection. Benjamin Franklin had it right over 200 yrs ago when he said, “an ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure.” Staying on top of your screening schedule can help increase the quality and quantity of your life.

Talk to your Island Doctors provider. For additional information on community screenings or to schedule a tour call 1-877-434-4676.

HOW MUCH DO I PAY WHEN I GO TO THE OFFICE FOR A VISIT?

That depends on your insurance company. Some medical plans come with $0 premium and $0 copays in the office, which means – you will not pay anything when you come and see us. For more information, please feel free to contact our us at (877) 434-4676 or visit us at one of our convenient locations.

IF I'M HAVING A PROBLEM OUTSIDE YOUR OFFICE HOURS, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

You could call our after hours number which is posted in all of the offices and on the machine if you call. Once you call the after hours number, you will get one of our doctors on call and he/she will advise you what to do. Most of our offices take walk-in’s 8am-9am if you can wait until the morning. If it’s a true emergency, please call 911.

WHAT LABORATORY DO I GO TO WITH MY INSURANCE?

Most insurance plans use Quest or LabCorp, though it may vary depending on your insurance.

I'D LIKE TO EXERCISE AND GET IN SHAPE, WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST?

Silver Sneakers is a wonderful program and is part of some Medicare Advantage plans. This provides a great place for exercise, social gathering, etc. For their locations near you, please see one of our personnel.

HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN I LOSE ON THE TRIANGLE DIET?

If followed properly, you can lose up to 1 lb a day. Don’t think of it as a diet, think of it as a lifestyle change for the better. The first 3 days are the hardest since you will be craving the carbohydrates, after that, it gets much easier.

HOW LONG DO I FAST BEFORE I GET MY LABS?

You should fast about 12 hours (unless the doctor specifies otherwise) before you plan on going to have your labs done. You can still drink water and take your medications. Some tests you may be able to have black coffee, but check with the office prior.

WHAT ARE STOOL CARDS AND HOW DO I USE THEM?

The stool cards are an early detection of colon cancer. They will check for blood in your stool. Each lab has their own testing cards which our office will supply you with in most cases. You will just take the required sample from different days and put them on the sample card. Once you’ve retreived your samples, you will bring the cards to the lab with you. There are some foods you will try to avoid prior to testing like red meats. Those instructions are in your test packet. Stool cards should be performed yearly (according to CDC guidelines).

COULD I HAVE A COPY OF MY LABS OR RADIOLOGY EXAMS?

Absolutely, once you have reviewed them with a physician, we would be happy to provide you with a copy when you’re checking out. Our office policy is first that you review them with a qualified individual so that he can clear up any questions prior to you receiving a copy.