E-Care

E-care 2012 -- Reassurance from Dr. Punger is just an e-mail away!

My passion is to be available when you need early access and honest feedback. Many patients benefit from my quick availability and re-assurance by e-mail. With advancements in instant communication and our new electronic medical records, I found it necessary to slightly revise the structure of this program for 2012.

This program may be for you if you desire: The convenience of electronic access with fast response from me avoiding the telephone or coverage service; and for any other reason that is beneficial to your particular family’s situation.

I know my patients without their charts. In addition I have access to my schedule and your records from my home PC. Therefore, many routine questions can be handled with E-mail when it the most convenient and needed for you. I can fine tune a treatment between appointments; and facilitate the start of a new treatment along with expediting the next office visit.

Almost all insurance is structured to pay for office visits and require a physical examination, and we will gladly bill your insurance when you are seen. However, physicians rarely receive third-party payment for care and research provided without face-to-face contact, despite the obvious benefits such communication brings.  My preference for communication is e-mail, but many of my patients prefer text, Facebook, and a combination of other non-secure networks to communicate. Often I am willing-- Insurance definitely does not cover those services. Thus I am updating my program name to E-care.

A low annual fee of $250.00 will include about 12-15 E-mail contacts/problems per year/per family for family members who want to be my patient. A one-time payment in full is appreciated. You may contact the office at any time with this and other questions as they can answer administrative concerns better than I can.

It is your responsibility to schedule an office visit* following E-care contact for problems that go beyond E-mail including prescriptions, scheduling labs or procedures, and referrals. Use sensible hours and expectations for questions that are not emergencies.  Also, keep this page to refer to in the future.**

If I will be away from e-mail for any period of time (which is rare), you will have fair warning.

What if I want to remain a patient in your practice, but don’t want to participate in E-care this year?  This service is optional. Another change is that, I’ll give you one freebie trial contact for our mutual benefit, however, approaching me via private e-mail or messaging (text or Facebook, etc…) more than once with “quick” or substantial questions about your wellness and healthcare is considered E-care service.

I respect the time and priorities of each of my patients. Really, most of you don’t need E-care. I totally understand declining. I’d like to identify those who desire this service. The nature of my practice includes social networking and real life friends.  I have good electronic communication skills which might make it tempting to approach me. I appreciate your understanding why “everyone” can’t e-mail me whenever.

If you transfer to us from a prior concierge physician you will be automatically opted-in and billed. 


I appreciate your feedback or your concerns.

 All patients will continue to receive exceptional office-based care with me at scheduled visits or first available (Nurse Practitioner or me) for same-day appointments requests. Most babies and ALL initial lactation will be scheduled to see me. You may still communicate with my trained office staff via the office phone, the ‘contact us’ at twofloridadocs.com, and the answering service anytime. It is my professional responsibility to take emergency calls via the answering service after hours.

All patients can friend me, subscribe to me and participate in comments on my open blogs, Facebook profile and groups, and public social networks. Just not personal  health-care questions.

This is not a replacement program for the uninsured.  
*Notify me if your insurance changes or is dropped.  


If you are interested in full-on concierge care inclusive of office visits and E- care; or if your situation requires  more than 15-18 e-mails/problems a year) we can discuss your needs on an individual basis.  Starting fees are $2,500 per member per year.

**Updates, additional, feedback information posted on 
http://www.permissiontomother.com/search/label/E-care

______I accept              ______I want more info    

  __________ I  decline.  I will not E-mail, text, or message, Dr. Punger      

          

__________________________________Signature              __________ Date

Feedback--

"Thank you, Denise! I've always appreciated your willingness to be available and interested in our medical needs. You are the only physician I know who goes to these lengths to provide patient care in times of need. Truly you are a physician of the people! Again, thank you. Be blessed!" bc
"I text you for antibiotics on New Year's Eve when I was out of town. My friends were amazed I could reach my doctor quickly." la

"I received your letter regarding your availability for your being accessible without office visits. I think this is fantastic, well deserved and want to sign up. My family is leaving Friday for a summer camping trip until the 1st week in August, so I'm SURE that means we'll need you. Like I said before - it's just not a vacation unless someone gets sick & we need to contact Dr. Punger!" jj 

"You've always been there for my family. We are glad to have this service." pp

"It is just wonderful to have you available via email.   It has been a huge help with a young toddler and with breastfeeding.  As nervous first time parents it is a lifesaver. We also know you aren't going to just tell us to run to the pharmacy and we love that about you. We trust you and it is fantastic to have your attention via email also when times get rough." lp

"We couldn't be happier to be a part of your "E-Care" program. Living more than an hour away, it is a relief to know that we can reach you with any concerns and that you respond in such a timely manner to those concerns without us having to pack up the little ones who are under the weather and drive down to the office (although we would have if you felt it was necessary). Thankfully, we have only had to contact you a few times this year and thankfully you were able to provide more than sufficient care thru e-mail and a call to the pharmacist if needed. It has worked out extremely well for our family. 

Prior to this program I was pondering whether we should try to seek out a Dr. who is more local "just in case" all the while knowing that I would have a hard time finding a local physician who takes on a holistic/integrative approach, who is well versed in HEALTHcare, and who knows us without our charts the way you do. I am very thankful that this program allows us to keep a family Dr. who understands and promotes those ideals. I was also impressed that after the last time I contacted you for care, you took the initiative to contact ME a day later to find out how he was feeling." bk