Primary Care
Your journey to health starts with primary care. MaineGeneral has caring, expert teams located throughout the Kennebec Valley for your convenience and comfort.
Our teams of family medicine, pediatric, geriatric and internal medicine physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners provide a full range of health care services for you and your family - from birth to the end of life.
During COVID-19
Dear MaineGeneral Patients and Families:
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to change the way we offer care, we remain available to help you stay healthy. Our primary care practices have continued their usual hours, and our clinicians and staff are here for you: to manage your chronic medical conditions, address acute concerns, refill your medications, and provide the services you need.
COVID-19
If you have symptoms that you think are concerning for COVID-19, please contact your primary care office so we can further discuss your options. MaineGeneral has designated testing sites, though not everyone is eligible for testing. Clinicians at these sites will determine if a test is warranted based on your symptoms, risk factors, exposure to COVID-19, and also the availability of test kits.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we recommend that you practice social distancing, and stay home unless you work in a designated “essential” business like health care or food services.
The CDC also recommends that you:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
While you are at home practicing social distancing, stay healthy by doing your best to:
- Maintain a balanced diet,
- Exercise regularly,
- Get outside for fresh air each day,
- Limit family screen time,
- Stay connected with family and friend by phone, computer or mobile device, and
- Cut back on or quit smoking and vaping, as this is a risk factor for COVID-19.
Your primary care health team cares about your well-being and is available for any concerns you have. We’re all part of the same community and together we’ll remain strong.
Our best to you,
Your MaineGeneral Primary Care team
We look forward to working with you to:
- Coordinate your care
- Get annual physicals
- Managing chronic (long-term) illnesses
- Provide well-baby and child checkups
- Reduce stress and address other emotional needs
- Treat injuries
- Treat sudden illnesses
MaineGeneral primary care options include:
You also have access to top-quality primary care services through MaineGeneral's ongoing collaboration with the Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency program.
Physicians enrolled in the three-year program work closely with experienced faculty to treat patients at the Family Medicine Institute in Augusta and Maine Dartmouth Family Practice in Waterville.
Patient-Centered Medical Home
You are our partner in care. We listen to you and provide the care and education you deserve.
We treat illness but also focus on preventive care, health education and the well-being of your whole family.
We support your journey to a healthy lifestyle by centering your care to your needs.
At MaineGeneral, you have access to the latest evidence-based (proven) knowledge and science to help you prevent illness and manage your health, with help from your support network.
As your medical home, you can expect:
- A dedicated medical staff person (also known as a primary care provider or PCP) who will get to know and care for you and/or your family
- An expanded team of staff, professionals and other care providers who will partner with your PCP in your care
- A high level of communication. You will get timely responses to your test results and health information. Please share all health information with your PCP
- Counseling, education and community services and support offered on-site
Appointments
Please make an appointment before coming to our office. If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call 24 hours before your appointment.
Your time is valuable, and we work hard to keep you from waiting for your appointment. Emergencies and other unanticipated events do happen, however. When they do, we'll let you know as soon as possible so you can choose to wait or reschedule.
Billing and Insurance
MaineGeneral provides services to patients regardless of their ability to pay. We accept all Maine private insurance plans, Medicare, MaineCare and TriCare and will submit insurance claims for you.
We bill through MaineGeneral Medical Center (MGMC) and ask that you pay for co-payments at the time of service. You may receive separate bills for diagnostic tests or X-rays. We accept Visa and MasterCard.
If you don't have insurance or can't pay, MaineGeneral's financial assistance programs may be able to help. Call toll-free (877) 255-4680 or (207) 872-4680 to learn more.
If you have billing questions or concerns, please call (207) 621-3600.
Laboratory and Other Services
For your convenience, we offer an on-site laboratory where we perform many tests, including basic throat and urine tests and blood work. Couriers collect, process and transport specimens to MGMC's main lab at the Alfond Center for Health (ACH) in Augusta.
If you need lab services, please call (207) 626-1050 to schedule an appointment. We also provide expanded imaging and specialty services at the ACH.
Your medical staff can help arrange routine or urgent testing at your appointment. Please preregister for all imaging appointments by calling (207) 626-1583, or toll-free (800) 343-3400; TTY: 711 (Maine Relay Service).
Getting Your Test Results
We send all test results (i.e. blood work, imaging) to your medical staff for review and will share your results by telephone or through MaineGeneral's FollowMyHealth® Patient Portal as soon as possible. Results are usually reported in one or two weeks.
Significantly abnormal results are usually reported within 24 to 48 hours. Please call if you don't hear from us.
Hospitalization Procedures
All members of our medical staff have privileges to practice at MGMC. If you need to be admitted to the ACH, our medical staff often work with hospital-based physicians (hospitalists) who will manage your care during your stay. We will be in direct contact with them and see you after you are discharged.
Some insurance companies require pre-approval of elective admissions and notification within 24 hours of emergency admissions. Please let us know if we can help you meet this requirement.
Prescription Refills
Please ask about prescription refills during your appointment. Let us know as soon as possible if you are out of your medication.
When calling for a refill, please have the following information available:
- Your name and date of birth
- Telephone number where you can be reached during the day
- The doctor who prescribed your medication
- The name of the medication and its strength (the number of mg.)
- How many you take each day
- The quantity requested (one-, two-, or three-month supply)
- The name and location of your pharmacy.
Please give us a 48-hour notice for all prescription refills. We send all prescription requests to the pharmacy for you to pick up.
If you use a mail-order pharmacy, please ask for a written prescription two to three weeks in advance to allow enough time for you to mail in and receive your order.
Referrals
You may be referred to another specialist or ask for a referral during your visit. We will get the required information, request approval from your insurance provider and complete all pre-certifications.
Once your referral has been approved, we'll process and forward it to your insurance company and the office where you have been referred. Please contact your insurance provider with any questions about your insurance. The number should be on the back of your insurance card.
Advisory Council
MaineGeneral's Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) helps ensure the patient and family is at the center of what we do. Please call your primary care practice if you'd like to learn more about Patient-Centered Medical Homes or about joining our PFAC.
