Patient Education

For Our First Time Patients

Thank you for choosing Dekalb Family Medicine On Candler (DFMOC) for your healthcare needs. During your first visit, you will meet our staff, complete a few brief forms (which you can also find available for download on our Online Forms page) and, of course, meet your doctor. As family physicians, we will try to solve your current medical problem and detect or prevent other health problems. We hope to make the first visit not just an opportunity to deal with any medical concerns you may have but also a time to get acquainted with you.

The First Examination

When you are taken back to our triage area, you will be introduced to one of our back office staff members that will record your vitals. This staff member will measure your height and weight and take your temperature. Your physician will review the health questionnaire that you completed during registration with you. Depending on your medical problem, you may be asked to undress and put on a gown in the privacy of the exam room. This enables the doctor to better evaluate your health. After the examination, your physician will suggest a treatment plan and future visits, if necessary.

We hope that after your visit, you will feel confident that you've made a wise decision in choosing our practice. If you are not comfortable with one doctor's practice style, you may reschedule your next appointment with another doctor in our practice.

Patient Responsibilities

Patients should arrive 5 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment. Late arrivals (in excess of 15 minutes past appointment time) may be asked to reschedule the missed appointment. We know that your time is valuable and we will make every effort to honor all of our commitments.

Your insurance company requires you to present your insurance card at each visit. Incomplete or incorrect insurance information can lead to your having to pay more for your visit. Insurance Co-Pay are expected to be paid during the appointment registration.

Please bring an updated list of ALL medications you are taking OR bottles for these medications with you to each appointment.

Your insurance policy may not cover the medications, procedures or lab work your provider feels are necessary. Every insurance plan is different. Please take time to educate yourself on the terms of your insurance policy before your appointment. See our section on Health Insurance – for more detail information.

Scheduled appointments are preferred. Walk-in patients will be evaluated and worked into the schedule if an appointment is necessary and a physician or physician assistant is available. We will make every effort to make certain that the services we recommend are covered by your insurance policy. Questions regarding your insurance coverage should be directed to your insurance carrier or your employer's human resources department.

If you have any forms that need to be completed for school, work, or insurance purposes, please remembers to bring them to your provider at the time of your visit. You will be charged $10 - $45 for the completion of a form (based on length, most one page forms are $10).

All patients under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or have signed parental/legal guardian consent for treatment.

Patient Handouts

Below is a list of handouts that you might find useful before visiting us. Dekalb Family Medicine strives to keep our patients educated on the latest developments in family medicine. Use the search box below to find a symptom or condition of interest.