Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Stillwell Medical Group, LLC?
- What is a Physician Assistant or Physician Associate?
- How does the program work?
- Who do you treat in your practice?
- What is the fee?
- Who pays the fee?
- Are your primary care providers qualified?
- What geographical areas do you cover?
Q:What is Stillwell Medical Group, LLC?
A: Stillwell Medical is a unique medical house call service that brings the doctor’s office visit to you in the comforts of your environment. Stillwell Medical is a medical house call service staffed by advanced, highly skilled and highly trained physician, physician assistants. Our qualified specialized staff will diagnose and treat your medical needs.
Q:What is a Physician Assistant (PA) or also referred to as Physician Associate (PA)?
A: PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS/PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATE: Are rigorously medically trained and are licensed medical professionals as advanced medical providers who establish and build a medical practice diagnosing and treating their own patient roster, medically trained to serve in a variety of clinical settings, in all medical specialties.
MEDICAL COMPETENCY: Physician Assistants are trained in the same medical model, as are physicians. PA's medical training advances their expertise in all areas of medicine in a condensed time frame-raining is roughly two-thirds the length of medical school with 108 weeks of general primary care education. PAs further enhance their chosen medical specialty in a structured residency program and/or hand in hand with their physician colleagues. Physician Assistants must also pass a national medical certification board and re certify every six years.
CHARACTER and VALUE: Physician Assistants are by character compassionate advanced medical providers and team builders through individual professional excellence in collaboration and partnership with physicians, consultants, fellows/residents, nursing and other medical staff, achieving high quality outpatient and inpatient care, through medical problem solving, working interdependently and assuming responsibility for their patients. PAs are cost effective medical providers for patients, businesses, and insurance plans, contributing to a solid financial foundation for the whole health care system.
Physician assistants (PAs) provide health care services with supervision by physicians. They should not be confused with medical assistants, who perform routine clinical and clerical tasks. PAs are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services. They take medical histories, examine patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x-rays, and make diagnoses. They also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting. In 46 States and the District of Columbia, physician assistants may prescribe medications. PAs may provide care in rural or inner city clinics where a physician is present only occasionally.
All States require that new PAs complete an accredited, formal education program. As of July 1999, there were 116 accredited or provisionally accredited educational programs for physician assistants; 64 of these programs offered a bachelor's degree or a degree option. The rest offered a certificate, an associate degree, or a master's degree. Most PA graduates have at least a bachelor's degree.
Q:How does the program work?
A: Very simply. You call Stillwell Medical or email or complete contact information on this website to contact one of our associates. You will speak with our associate prior to your visit to discuss your concerns and arrange a convenient time for your appointment. We will take your information over the phone.
A primary care medical provider from our office will come to visit you usually within 1 to 3 days, perform a complete physical exam, review of present illness, review family and social history, review your medical history, review of systems, depression screen, safety screen, review medications, allergies, assess vitals signs, discuss treatment plans and recommendations for healthy living. Schedule regular follow up visits as deemed necessary.
If needed make referrals for specialized physicians, for home health aide, ultrasounds, x rays, EKG
Q:Who do you treat in your practice?
A: Anyone in the geographical are served may contact Stillwell Medical Group for medical services.
Q:What is the fee?
A: We have a simple fee for service structure of 80.00 to 250.00 dollars depending on your level of care. Usually 250.00 dollars for the initial visit. Medicare is accepted. Medicare covers 80 % of fee for service and secondary insurance covers remaining 20% and deductible or the patient is responsible for the co pays and deductibles.
Q:Who pays the fees?
A: In most cases services are paid for in the same method employed by a doctor’s office. We are a participating Medicare provider. Medicare patients simply supply the Medicare card at the time of visit. This means we will send Medicare the bill. The deductible and remaining 20 % is then billed to the supplemental insurance, if applicable. Other wise the patient is responsible for co pays and deductibles. The patient is responsible for payment of service.
If you are a member of a PPO insurance and have met your deductible, you will likely be reimbursed for 60- 100% of our fees by your insurance carrier. HMO members may be reimbursed at the out of net work provider rate. Please contact your insurance carrier to find out what is covered. Our staff are happy to complete all health insurance forms so that you get reimbursed for your health care costs.
Q:Are your Primary Medical Care providers qualified?
A: Our Associates are board certified and state licensed primary care medical providers highly skilled and trained in Internal Medicine, Family Practice and Urgent Care.
We have Dr. Eddie L Whitehead, MD supervising and collaborating physician who specializes in Internal Medicine with more than 20 years of experience. Dr. Whitehead is a highly skilled board certified Internist. Dr Whitehead is on staff at Dekalb Medical Center at Hillandale. Dr Whitehead is a native of Camilla, Georgia with a approachable, compassionate and caring spirit with excellent listening skills and bedside manner. He says “I just love taking care of my patients.”
We have L. Denise Stillwell-Barker, Certified Physician Assistant, who has over 12 years extensive experience in Internal Medicine, Family Practice and Urgent Care.
Denise Stillwell Barker after undergoing a intensive study in the Masters Program received her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska. Prior to receiving her Masters Degree, she underwent a rigorous and intensive four year Physician Assistant Program at Alderson-Broaddus College in West Virginia. She completed a stringent Internship at the Ohio State University Medical Center. Afterwards, she received her Bachelor of Science majoring in Medical Science degree from Alderson-Broaddus College in West Virginia. Prior to the Bachelor of Science degree, Denise Stillwell Barker earned an Associates Degree in Pre-Medicine, Pre- pharmacy, and Pre-Dental at Dekalb College in Clarkston, Georgia. Denise is a native of Atlanta, Georgia with a warm, compassionate and caring spirit with excellent listening skills and bedside manner. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, exercising, and spending time with her family. She says, “ I have my patients best interest at heart.”
Q:What geographical area do you cover?
A: Currently, we cover Gwinnett County, Dekalb County, Walton County, Newton County, Rockdale County, and parts of Fulton County. Areas are expanding rapidly. Please contact us regarding your area.