ASSOCIATE NEWS

View news from Gastrointestinal Associates. Click on any of the links below to read article.

Electronic Medical Record

Physician-Patient Relationship

Canceled or Missed Appointments
Effective 7/5/2002

Acceptance of Cigna Insurance Plans

Peg-Intron Now Available

New Colorectal Cancer Screening Benefits

Robert B. Stein, MD named the 2008 physician of the year

Electronic Medical Record

At Gastrointestinal Associates, Inc. we are constantly striving to improve the care of our patients. In an effort to do this and also improve the service to our referring physicians, we have embarked on an exciting project. We aim to convert our paper charts to a "paperless" computerized system. This "electronic medical record" will enable us to gain better access to patient information, regardless of location or time of day. It will also allow us to communicate with referring physicians in a more timely manner. In some cases, a letter will be received by a referring physician before the patient even leaves our office! We hope this will be a great asset to our patients and colleagues, alike. However, this conversion process takes a lot of time and effort. Until this conversion is complete, some office tasks may actually take longer. As there are always unforeseen events, we ask that you be patient with us. In the end, we firmly believe that we will all benefit.

Dear Patient of Gastrointestinal Associates, Inc.:

Our physician-patient relationship is of utmost importance to us. We welcome the opportunity to provide medical care and treatment to you and encourage your active participation in your care.

In formulating our physician-patient relationship, we need to bring to your attention the escalating malpractice crisis in Pennsylvania and the resulting inability to retain competent physicians to practice in our community. In particular, malpractice awards in Philadelphia County have reached such outrageous levels that they are draining the resources available for physicians to properly focus on patients.

We ask for your support for our efforts to contain the malpractice crisis. Just prior to your visit with us, we will ask that you read the statement listed below.

Any legal claim or civil action, including but not limited to, a claim for medical malpractice in any way related to the medical services provided to you by any physician in this practice shall be brought solely in the courts of Montgomery county, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

If you agree, you will be asked to sign a form accepting these terms. We thank you in advance for your understanding. Together we can work toward providing the best environment for the care of our patients.

There is, currently, a high demand for gastrointestinal care. When patients cancel their appointments at the last minute or fail to show up for their appointments, it contributes to the problem by preventing other patients from being seen in a timely fashion. In order to help stem this problem, therefore, starting July 5, 2002, we will institute a charge of $25 for canceled or missed appointments without 24 - hours notice.

We now accept many Cigna insurance plans. If you are covered by a Cigna insurance plan and need an appointment, please ask our operators if you are eligible.

Peg-Intron, the new medication for hepatitis C is now available. This medication is more convenient to take and is more effective than the older medication. If you are a patient with hepatitis C, please make an appointment with your doctor to discuss this .

News: Notice to Medicare Beneficiaries:
New Colorectal Cancer Screening Benefits Began on July 1, 2001

If you are eligible for Medicare and are considered to be at "average risk" for colorectal cancer, you can now receive screenings as part of your benefits. Several options are available to Medicare recipients to allow for early detection of colorectal cancer. Certain guidelines apply, and you should speak with your physician about family history, past screenings and which screening method is best for you.

GASTROINTESTINAL ASSOCIATES, INC. IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE CROHN'S AND COLITIS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA HAS SELECTED DR. ROBERT STEIN AS THEIR 2008 PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR!

Robert B. Stein, MD has been named the 2008 physician of the year by the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.

The nonprofit group will honor him with this prestigious award at the 33d annual Renaissance Ball.

Dr. Stein has been an active member of the Foundation since 1998, when he became a medical adviser for the chapter's Education/Support Network. In 2003, he was appointed to the chapter's Board of Trustees. And in 2005, he was named chairman of the chapter Medical Advisory Committee; he continues to serve in that capacity.

He earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, and he is currently one of the outstanding gastroenterologists at Gastrointestinal Associates, Inc.

Dr. Stein's recognition reflects Gastrointestinal Associates' long-standing commitment to providing the best possible care for our community.

top