FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about BayCare Medical Group. We have tried to answer them completely here, but if you have further questions, please contact your practice location or call (866) 732-0004.
- How do I schedule an appointment?
- What should I bring to my first appointment?
- What if I miss an appointment or need to cancel?
- How should I choose a pediatrician?
- What if I require hospital care?
- Where can I find information about immunizations?
- What insurance plans does my physician accept?
- How do I request a prescription refill?
- How do I pay my bill?
- How do I access my medical information?
- How do I contact my physician?
- Where can I find information about flu vaccinations?
- What are APRN’s and PAs?
- What is a hospitalist?
How do I schedule an appointment?
We see patients by appointment. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the physician’s office or by calling (866) 732-0004 to reach a Customer Service Representative who can refer you to a BayCare Medical Group physician. When you call our offices, please describe the nature of your problem so we can schedule your appointment for the most appropriate time. If you are ill, we will make every effort to see you the same day. View a full list of BayCare Medical Group physicians and locations.
We will attempt to accommodate walk-in patients. However patients with appointments and seriously ill patients are given first priority.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring your insurance card, a photo ID, your registration forms and any current medications with you to your visit.
For a child under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian must accompany the child to their first appointment. We will need to obtain a consent signed by the parent/guardian for diagnosis and treatment before we can see the patient.
What if I miss an appointment or need to cancel?
If you need to cancel your appointment, please call your physician’s office at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment, if possible, so we can open your appointment time to another patient. A cancellation fee may apply at the discretion of your physician’s office for any cancelled appointments with less than 24 hours’ notice.
How should I choose a pediatrician?
Choosing a pediatrician is an important step in planning for a new baby. We will be happy to set up an appointment before your baby arrives. One of our pediatricians will meet one-on-one with you and answer your questions. We want you to be comfortable with your choice of doctors, so there is no charge for this visit. View a full list of BayCare Medical Group pediatricians or call (866) 732-0004 for a physician referral.
What if I require hospital care?
Should you or your child need hospital care, our physicians have privileges at some of the area's most respected hospitals, including:
- Mease Countryside Hospital
- Mease Dunedin Hospital
- Morton Plant Hospital
- Morton Plant North Bay Hospital
- St. Anthony's Hospital
- St. Joseph's Hospital
- St. Joseph's Hospital-North
- St. Joseph's Hospital-South
- St. Joseph's Children's Hospital
- St. Joseph's Women's Hospital
- South Florida Baptist Hospital
- Winter Haven Hospital
- Winter Haven Women's Hospital
Where can I find information about immunizations?
Your child will receive their vaccines based upon the recommended schedule of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Immunizations for common adult illnesses and travel needs are also available. Please contact your physician for more information.
What insurance plans does my physician accept?
BayCare Medical Group participates in a variety of HMOs, PPOs, Medicare and commercial insurance plans. These plans may vary by practice location and physician so please call your physician's office to make sure they accept your plan. Please bring your insurance card with you to your appointment.
At the time of your visit, we collect all co-pays, deductibles and payment for services not covered by your insurance. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, cash and personal checks.
How do I request a prescription refill?
For your convenience, you can call your pharmacy direct for prescription refills. If there are no refills left on your prescription, the pharmacy will contact your provider’s office on your behalf. In some instances your provider may need to see you before they can approve additional refills.
You can also order prescription refills through your Patient Portal at MyBayCare.org by choosing Health Record > Medications > Renew. You may be asked to make an appointment with your provider before your prescription is renewed.
If you have not yet created a Patient Portal account, you can do so by clicking here. For additional assistance with your Patient Portal, please call (888) 499-9003.
At the time of your visit, we collect all co-pays, deductibles and payment for services not covered by your insurance. We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, cash and personal checks. For questions about paying your bill, please call (727) 532-0002.
For more information on insurance coverage and co-payments, please review A Patient's Guide to Understanding Health Insurance Coverage and Payment Practices.
How do I access my medical information?
You can now access your Personal Health Record at myBayCare.org. Learn more about the BayCare patient portal and how you can enroll.
If you do not have a login for the BayCare patient portal please call the help desk at (888) 499-9003.
How do I contact my physician?
During office hours, our physicians are seeing patients. They will make every effort to return your call during their lunch break, in between appointments, or after hours. You can help us by leaving a number where you can be reached during those times.
When our office is closed, call 911 if you have a medical emergency. Otherwise, our answering service will take your message and contact the physician who is on call.
Where can I find information about flu vaccinations?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a yearly flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months and older (who do not have contraindications) as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. You should get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available as it causes antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. The vaccine's protection lasts throughout the flu season.
The flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. It is administered either by an injection (traditional shot), intradermal (injected into the skin), or in a nasal spray format. For the most current information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What are APRN’s and PAs?
Get to Know Your Advanced Care Provider. Advanced Care Providers (ACPs) are high-level clinicians such as APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) or PAs (Physician Assistant). Your physician and ACP work as partners in your care. Each time you see an ACP, your physician will review the notes from your visit, so they are always aware of your progress. For more information, click here.
Many BayCare Medical Group physicians use a hospitalist to care for their patients when they are in a hospital emergency room or are admitted to the hospital. The hospitalist coordinates the patient's care during the time they are at the hospital and communicates with the patient's physician. Most hospitalists transfer the patient's follow-up care back to their physician after they have been discharged from the hospital.
A hospitalist physician has completed medical school and usually specializes in a specific field such as pediatrics, internal medicine, or family medicine. Hospitalists are very familiar with the hospital environment and are usually able to spend more time with patients than their own physician is able to after their normal office hours or during their lunch break.
Learn more about our hospitalists:
- BayCare Medical Group Hospitalists at St. Joseph's Hospital
- BayCare Medical Group Hospitalists at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North
- BayCare Medical Group Hospitalists at St. Joseph’s Hospital-South
- BayCare Medical Group Hospitalists at Mease Countryside Hospital and Mease Dunedin Hospital
- BayCare Medical Group Hospitalists at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital