University Geriatricians

Medical Assessments—Who Will Make the Assessment?

The program staff includes:

• Geriatricians (physicians specializing in the care of older patients)
• Fellows in geriatric medicine (physicians learning the specialty of geriatrics)
• Gerontological social worker
• Nurse practitioner
• Nurse

All are familiar with the needs and particular concerns of older adults. We also have health care professionals in training who assist us, including residents, medical students, and social work interns. Most assessments require two visits with a short interval between. If a patient lives out of town, we make every effort to keep visits to a minimum.

What Follows the Assessment?

We work in collaboration with the patient's personal physician; we ensure that the physician is fully informed about the patient's progress or status.

Depending on the complexity and nature of the patient's problems, we may follow the patient along with his or her physician on a short-or long-term basis.

Appointment Information

We prefer that new patients ask their personal physicians to send us a written request for consultation. We will then contact the patient to arrange for an appointment. This enables us to have the best understanding of the patient's situation right from the start.

We also accept:

• Self-referrals
• Referrals from family or friends
• Referrals from social service agencies, home care agencies, and residential facilities.

Prior to the first visit, additional information will be sent regarding the appointment.

Appointments are usually scheduled Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Initial evaluations usually take 1 1/2 hours. Follow-up appointments take less time. While patients usually will see the same physician, they may occasionally see another of our doctors.

Appointments can be made by calling:

• 315 464-6100
• Monday – Friday
• 8 am – 5 pm

Cancellations

As a courtesy to others, patients are asked to call us at 315 464-6100 as soon as possible if they cannot keep their appointments or if they will be late.

Prescriptions

Prescription renewals may be called in to:

• 315 464-6100
• 9 am – 4:30 pm

Patients should avoid waiting until they are completely out of medicine. It is best to give us several days' notice.

After Hours and Emergency Calls

After 5 pm and on weekends and holidays, our answering service will take messages and, if necessary, contact the physician on call. In a severe emergency, patients should always go directly to the nearest emergency department, but our primary hospital is University Hospital. They should also ask the emergency department to contact their primary care doctor or one of our physicians.

Billing Information

The majority of the cost of our services is covered by Medicare. We accept Medicare and will bill the patient's secondary insurance company as a courtesy.

Billing information can be obtained by calling:

• 315 464-3222