Welcome to Community Medical Providers Medical Group!

     We are proud you have selected Community Medical Providers for your family healthcare. We are proud that nearly 1000 valley residents choose our healthcare providers each day! In fact, nearly 1 out of every ten Central California residents selects CMP.

    This section is for you – to help you understand your healthcare a little better. If there is ever anything we can do to make your care better, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Call your office or E-mail us.

How to Choose the Right Doctor

     Choosing a physician to maintain your family’s good health is one of the most important decisions you have to make. At CMP, we know how tough this decision this can be and we want to help by giving you some tips on how to choose a primary care physician.

     People choose their physician for a number of reasons ranging from looks to a particular medical school. However, we recommend you also consider these 5 primary factors:

• 1) Access to care - Does your physician have access to specialized healthcare services, like a specialist or an outpatient healthcare provider, should you require extra help in recovering to good health?
  

• 2) Choice of Health Plan - Does your employer offer a health plan that allows you to choose that physician?
  

• 3) Wellness Programs - Is your physician able to recommend classes that can teach you how to better maintain your good health?
  

• 4) Hospital Affiliation - Does your physician have access to several different quality hospitals in Central California?
  

• 5) Stability - Is your physician going to continue to be available through your health plan whenever your family needs him or her?

     At CMP, we are a part of the Santé Community Physicians panel, the largest panel of physicians in Central California from which you may choose. And our physicians have access to of the best healthcare services and hospitals available in Central California, including outpatient services, Wellness Classes and all of the Community Medical Centers.  Our physicians also have access to the largest choice of insurance plans of any group of physicians in Central California.

     Go here to choose a CMP provider as your primary care physician. Good luck and good health, we look forward to seeing you soon!

How to Choose a Health Plan

     When choosing a health plan, make sure you understand the list of plans offered by your employer and make sure you choose a plan which offers access to Community Medical Providers.  CMP is pleased to care for members of many fine health plans.

     Your CMP provider will be listed with Santé Community Physicians physician’s group. If your employer does not offer a plan with access the Santé physician panel and the Community Medical Centers Healthcare System, ask them to offer another which does.

What to consider when choosing a plan:  Is my doctor on this health plan’s "physician panel"?  Is the hospital my doctor chooses to practice in on this health plan?  What benefits am I looking for – and does this plan cover those?  Do I have any prescriptions I am currently on? Are these prescriptions on the plan’s "formulary"?  Does the plan offer access to Wellness Classes?  MOST IMPORTANTLY – Can I see my CMP physician if I choose this plan?

Here are some terms you may need to know when choosing a plan:  HMO – Health Maintenance Organization Although the media has portrayed HMOs in a very negative light, the right HMO plan can offer you better access to "health maintaining" practices, rather than just care for illness. Ask your CMP provider to recommend a plan – or check out our listing of health plans. HMO care will cost you almost nothing as long as you access a select panel of physicians and ancillary care facilities. Generally, your HMO will require you to pay a "co-pay" when you visit our offices, please remember to bring your co-pay when you visit our office. PPO – Preferred Provider Organization A PPO allows a patient to choose from a select group of "preferred" providers, which means a lower out of pocket cost to the patient or to see a provider out of the network, which usually means higher out of pocket cost to the patient and is subject to deductibles. PPO's typically limit the amount of health maintenance. POS – Point of Service Plan An HMO, which gives you the opportunity to choose a physician outside your HMO panel at additional cost to you. These plans offer more choice, but generally cost you more money. Studies show that 98% of POS users use the HMO panel anyway, you might want to consider saving your money. Indemnity Insurance Insurance "the way it used to be". With this insurance, your health plan will pay a percentage of your visit and you will pay the uncovered costs. This type of plan will cost you more if you access care, but will give you even more choice in physicians and services.

Scheduling an Appointment

     Scheduling an appointment with your CMP physician is as easy as picking up a phone. After choosing your physician, call the CMP office of your choice to schedule the appointment and then follow our simple directions to the office.

     Things to know when scheduling and arriving for an appointment:

Confidentiality

     Medical care and services received at CMP are confidential. No information on your situation will be disclosed without your written consent, unless required by State or Federal Law.

Medical Record Request

     If you need to have a copy of your medical records forwarded to another provider, you must complete a Release of Information form at your CMP office. This formality is to assure your confidentiality.

Referral to Specialists

     CMP Providers offer a wide range of medical services. However, for more extensive care, you may be referred to a specialist. For HMO patients, a referral is necessary for specialty providers. Your provider’s staff will schedule an appointment for you with the specialist and contact you with the date and time.

     A routine referral is processed within 7-10 working days. If you have not heard from our office within 10 working days, please contact us. If you require more urgent attention, your referral will be processed within 24 hours. Please, wait for the referral to be processed before seeking specialty care, prior authorization is often necessary. Without a referral, your insurance company may deny payment for treatment. The patient is responsible for payment of unauthorized treatment.

Prescription Refills

     Medication refills are available by contacting your pharmacy. Please allow 48 hours for prescription refills to be completed.

Patient Satisfaction

     Your experience is very important to us when you visit our offices. Please do not hesitate to let us know what we can do to make your visit more comfortable. CMP is committed to providing the highest quality of medical care in offices that are comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

     We survey our patients four times/year to ensure we are providing quality care and each time, our surveys tell us you are very pleased with your care - and your experience in a CMP office.

     Thanks for your help and thank you for choosing Community Medical Providers.