Frequently Asked Questions
If I have a sore throat can I be seen that day or should I go to an urgent care center?
We feel strongly about seeing our own patients when they need to be seen, avoiding the use of urgent care centers. You will almost always be seen on that day for most urgent problems. However, when we "work you in" please be aware that the visit will concentrate ONLY on the current problem and not on any chronic issues you may have. Examples of appropriate same day appointments include sore throat, sinus infection, small laceration, sprained ankle, etc.
Does my child need to see a pediatrician or a family doctor?
Family doctors love kids! The family doctor does just that – takes care of families. So everyone in the family can see the same doctor. Generally, a family doctor can take care of most pediatric issues – from well-child/immunization exams to sports physicals to uncomplicated medical issues. Pediatricians are more appropriate than family doctors for children with complicated medical histories/problems.
If I need to be hospitalized, who will take care of me?
Both Providence and Alaska Regional Hospitals provide hospitalist services. These are doctors who specialize in caring for people in a hospital setting – this is a very different type of medicine than office practice. Studies have shown that hospitalist systems generally provide better care and tend to decrease the length of hospital stays. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible care and we believe that the hospitalist system is superior to the traditional model of the office practice doctor also doing the hospital work. It also means that your doctor won't cancel on you because he's been called to an emergency in the hospital!
Do I need to have labs done before my annual exam?
It's a good idea to have your labs drawn about a week before your appointment. Your time is valuable and if all the information is available at a single visit, it will be both less time out of your busy schedule and less expensive. Therefore, please make a lab appointment in our office for about a week before your office appointment. If your insurance requires you to use a specific lab, let us know and we can fax the order to the lab for you.
How do I get a prescription refilled?
In general, prescriptions are written for the amount of time until the recommended recheck for that particular problem. It is the patient's responsibility to be aware of their problems and have a follow up appointment scheduled BEFORE they run out of medicines. Since we all have busy lives, we understand that occasionally things happen and the prescriptions pass under the radar. If that happens we will refill the medicine for a limited amount to allow you to get an appointment scheduled.
What if I'm still sick after my antibiotics are all gone?
When antibiotics are prescribed the intent is to FINISH the prescription. If you are still ill, that may be a sign of a more serious problem and you need to be seen. Antibiotics are NOT refilled without an office visit.
Do you take Medicare of Medicaid?
At this time we are NOT accepting new Medicare or Medicaid. Unfortunately, the government financial reimbursement is so poor (approximately 40% of the usual and customary office visit fee) that a practice cannot remain financially solvent with a large Medicare & Medicaid population. We strongly urge you to communicate with your congress(wo)man regarding the current state of Medicare.
What if I have a problem after office hours?
If you are having an emergency, CALL 911! A physician will be "on-call" for our practice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Simply call our office number and you will be forwarded to the appropriate place. Dr. Steward will take his own office calls Monday through Thursday. Friday through Sunday night will be covered by a "call group" a collection of 15 family doctors in Anchorage.
We make every effort to respect your time while you are in the office and we ask that you respect our family time as well. If you need to be seen immediately either call 911, seek assistance from an urgent care for non-life threatening problems, or go to the emergency room. Prescriptions will NOT be refilled after hours. For simple questions we request that you call the office during regular business hours.
Should I bring my medicines with me to my appointment?
We strongly suggest that you bring ALL the medicines that you are currently taking to EVERY appointment to avoid any errors or omissions. The medicines should be in their original containers from the pharmacy. Also bring any vitamins, herbal, or over the counter medicines that you take on a regular basis.
Are you closed on holidays?
Annual Office Holiday Closures:
New Years Day
Memorial Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Independance Day
Labor Day