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"What's best for the patient is best for the practice."
What is a hospitalist?
A hospitalist is a specialist in the field of internal medicine who cares only for hospitalized patients. Since all of Apogee’s physicians are true hospitalists, they have no patient care responsibilities outside the hospital, which enables our doctors to focus exclusively on you and your illness while you are at the Nix Medical Center.
Why isn’t my doctor seeing me in the hospital?
The increasing complexities of modern medicine do not allow any single physician to have expert knowledge in all areas, and as such, your doctor has probably referred you to a specialist at one time or another. Since no physician can be in more than one place at one time, your doctor has chosen to refer you to an Apogee hospitalist, a specialist in the field of hospital-based medicine who is in the hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What are the benefits to me as a patient by being cared for by an Apogee hospitalist?
If you are hospitalized, your illness is very serious. Apogee hospitalists treat only hospitalized patients, therefore our physicians are skilled in the latest diagnostics and treatments. Since an Apogee doctor is at the Nix Medical Center at all times, we are able to respond immediately to any change in your condition.
How will my doctor know what happened in the hospital?
When you are well enough to leave the hospital, the hospitalist care manager will arrange for a complete summary of your hospitalization to be transmitted directly to your doctor’s office. Of course, Apogee hospitalists are available to you and your doctor around the clock to answer any questions regarding your care at the Nix Medical Center.
What is a Care Manager and how can they enhance the quality of my medical care?
Apogee care managers are not doctors or nurses so they cannot give you medical advice, but they can help you navigate the frequently confusing maze of modern health care. Apogee care managers work exclusively for our group and therefore are responsible only for our patients. Your care manager will schedule your follow up appointments with your primary care physician and will even call you after you have left the hospital to make sure you have everything you need.
How do I pay for services rendered by Apogee’s doctors and will my insurance cover the cost?
Generally, Apogee’s fees are no different from what you would expect from you doctor if he or she were to treat you in the hospital. It is important to recognize however, that very few insurances cover all the costs of care provided while in the hospital regardless of which doctor cares for you. Therefore, you will most likely receive a bill from Apogee for the portion of our services not covered by your insurance such as deductibles, co-pays, etc.
What should I expect from Apogee’s doctors while I am in the hospital?
You can expect the very best medical care, delivered with kindness and compassion. Your doctor will see you at least once per day. Your Apogee doctor will keep you and your family informed of tests, their results and the overall progress of your illness. In the event of large extended families we ask that one family member be designated as the contact person.
What if I need to speak with the doctor that treated me in the hospital?
Since Apogee hospitalists do not have outpatient practices, you will not have an appointment to see your hospitalist after discharge. If you have questions after discharge, you may contact the main office or your care manager and they will put you in touch with your hospitalist.
What if I don’t have a primary care physician?
Apogee care managers can assist you in finding a doctor after leaving the hospital.
For more information on
Apogee Medical
please call 1-866-468-2362 or
visit www.apogeemedical.net.
APOGEE MEDICAL
2525 E. Camelback Road, Suite 1100 Phoenix, Arizona 85016
Phone: 602.778.3600 Fax: 602.307.9001
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