PERSONALIZED HEALTHCARE OF TUCSON

UPDATES

ABOUT PHC

A MEMBERSHIP MEDICAL PRACTICE

MISSION STATEMENT

At Personalized HealthCare of Tucson we are committed to excellence in the delivery of comprehensive healthcare to our patients. Our goal is to build a strong Medical Provider-Patient Partnership to deliver personalized evidence-based medicine and current technology, combined with the best community health and wellness resources. We strive to be a leader in the field of primary care to improve the health outcomes of our patients.

Achievement of optimal health is a journey, not an office visit. In 2010 we identified the need to change from a traditional medical practice to a Medical Provider-Patient partnership model. In this model, the Medical Provider puts a priority on building a relationship with the patient that promotes empathy in medicine by removing the barriers between the Medical Provider and the patient created by traditional models of healthcare delivery. This allows us to provide our patients with the highest level of medical care in the community by maximizing accessibility, clinical competence and communication.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Joining PHC enhances your overall healthcare by providing options and services that are not available in traditional primary care practices. These comprehensive patient-centered services form the cornerstone of your personalized health care plan and allow each patient to individually and selectively tailor our services to meet their medical and wellness needs.

Enhanced Access to Medical Providers

  • Same day or guaranteed next-day appointments available for urgent medical issues
  • A Medical Provider from PHC is available by telephone after business hours and on weekends to assist patients with urgent medical issues
  • Medical Providers spend as long as each patient needs to have their medical and wellness issues addressed to their satisfaction
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Medical Focused Health Enhancement Evaluation

  • Comprehensive body composition analysis 
  • Nutrition assessment
  • Flexibility, mobility and strength testing
  • Aerobic endurance appraisal
  • Individual lifestyle enhancement recommendations
  • Referrals to PHC Value-Added Community Partners as appropriate
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Expedited referrals to qualified specialists as needed for urgent issues

On-site Registered Dietitian for nutritional counseling and management of chronic disease states with nutritional components such as diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity

On-site pharmacist for medical management of prescriptions and oversight of drug therapy and potential side effects

On-Site Clinical Laboratory Services

Coordination of integrative services, including adjunctive alternative treatment modalities

Periodic Patient educational seminars on current medical topics from experts in various specialties

Assistance with planning for travel including arranging travel clinic appointments for recommended vaccinations and providing prophylactic medication prior to travel

Assistance with medical issues involving family members and other visitors from out-of-town

 

FAQ

Is Personalized HealthCare of Tucson a Concierge Medical Practice?

The term “concierge” medicine is used to describe many types of medical practices, such as direct care and membership medical practices, where a fee is collected to provide benefits that are not covered by insurance.  PHC is a membership medical practice and charges a membership fee, bills insurance, collects co-pays, and co-insurance. In return for the fee, the patient receives benefits such as faster appointment scheduling, adequate time to address your medical needs, enhanced access to your physician and many additional services.  PHC maintains accreditation with Medicare and most private insurance companies.

Other types of Concierge Practices such as direct primary care practices typically charge a much higher fee than membership practices and do not bill insurance. Direct primary care is considered by the State of Arizona to be a service distinct from health insurance. Direct primary care Providers do not participate in any insurance plans and therefore do not maintain accreditation with Medicare and most private insurance companies. Direct primary care practices collect a fee from the patient to belong to the practice and provide unlimited outpatient access. However, the patient must still have health insurance that meets the minimum essential coverage mandated by the Affordable Care Act.

Why should I pay an annual membership fee?

The primary benefits to the patient of belonging to the PHC primary care practice include services that are not available in traditional medical practices. This includes more time with your Medical Provider, same day or next day appointments for urgent medical issues, timely scheduling of routine appointments, and access to a Medical Provider from the practice after office hours and on weekends. There are many more benefits, which are described in the topic heading “Benefits of Belonging” section of this website.

Do I need health insurance?

You should maintain your insurance coverage. Although many of the wellness services we provide are not covered by traditional health care insurance, all of the traditional medical services are. These traditional medical services are billed to your medical provider. In addition, medical insurance coverage is strongly recommended to cover the costs of hospitalizations, surgery, medical imaging, laboratory analyses, medical therapies such as cancer treatment, etc.

Do I still need to pay my copays?

If you are seen for a medical visit, whatever co-pays your insurance provider requires will be charged at the time of the office visit. Co-pays are a requirement imposed on medical practices by insurance companies. It is considered fraud by Medicare and private insurance plans if the required co-pay is not collected, and a physician may lose their credentialing with Medicare or a private insurance company.

When is the annual fee due and what are the payment options?

The Annual PHC membership renewal process begins on July 1 of each year, and the patient membership year begins September 1. The annual membership fee can be paid once a year, or monthly. There are no administrative fees for monthly payments.

Will I have to wait to get an appointment? 

Patients needing urgent same day or next day appointments will be accommodated. In the event that your personal physician is not available due to scheduling issues or vacation, urgent medical issues may be handled by the available Medical Provider.

Is there an extra fee for immunizations, lab tests and procedures done at the office?

Immunizations are available at the office for Influenza, Tdap, Tetnus, Pneumo-Vax, Previnar, Hep-A, Hep-B, Hep A-B ComboFlu shots, depending on availability of the particular vaccine. Medicare does not cover immunizations for Tetnus, TDap or Hepatitis. If you need an immunization that is not covered by your insurance or medicare, you are responsible for the entire cost. Immunizations covered by Medicare or individual insurance plans, lab tests, and procedures such as Spirometry, EKG, Joint Injections, and Incision & Debridement are billed to insurance. A co-pay is not required for immunizations if they are administered separately from a scheduled Medical Provider visit.

If I have to go to the hospital, will you oversee that care? 

In Arizona, a patient’s care in a Hospital is overseen by a Hospitalist. This is more efficient and safer for a patient, as the Hospitalists are in the Hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our Medical Providers provide coordination of care and work closely with your Hospitalist while you are in the Hospital to provide coordination of care.

How do I join your practice?

Please contact Personalized Healthcare of Tucson at 520-795-4100, ext. 101 to speak to our membership coordinator or email membership@phcoftucson.com.

MEDICAL PROVIDERS

Steven Wool, MD FACP

Steven Wool, MD, FACP graduated from Duke University College of Medicine and is Board Certified in Internal Medicine with extensive training and experience in Family Medicine and Geriatrics. He was Chief of Medicine at Tucson Medical Center from 2005-2009 and has served as clinical staff at Tucson Medical Center and in the Department of Medicine at the University of Arizona. Steven Wool has been in private practice in primary care in Tucson since 1985. He established Personalized Healthcare of Tucson in 2010 to provide his patients with the highest level of medical care by maximizing accessibility, clinical competence and communication.

Virag Shah MD

Virag Shah, MD graduated from Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, Medical School
Honors Program in 1991. Following graduation, he served in the US Navy as a Duty
Corpsman Program Director and Medical Officer. He completed fellowships at
University of Southern California in Geriatrics and Palliative Care and is Board Certified in
Family Medicine. Dr. Shah has over 30 years- experience in Primary Care,
Emergency Medicine, Medical Administration and Academia.

Aldine Chandler, MD

Aldine Chandler, MD is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. She graduated from the University of Arizona with her Medical Doctorate, Alpha Omega Alpha, the highest scholastic distinction attainable. Aldine Chandler completed her Internal Medicine residency at the University of Washington in Seattle, ranked #1 nationally for Primary Care training by US News & World Report in 2016.

Kathleen McLeod, DNP MAOM FNP-BC

Kathleen B. McLeod, DNP, MAOM, FNP-BC received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Arizona State University in 2015. She has 20 years’ experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner and has extensive experience in Neurology. Kathleen McLeod was the first Nurse Practitioner at TMC One with her own patient practice in Primary Care. She has been mentoring and educating Nurse Practitioners since 2002 and is currently a Faculty Associate in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation at Arizona State University. Prior to that her nursing career at TMC included being the Coordinator of the Trauma Program for 12 years, Administrative Director of Pediatrics/PICU, Interim Director of the Emergency Department and also serving as flight nurse.

Christine Downey, DNP MSN AGNP-C

Christine Downey, DNP, MSN, AGNP-C is located at the PHC office at Hacienda at the Canyon. She received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Arizona State University in 2015 and is Board Certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a primary care provider. She has over 20 years’ experience utilizing personalized evidence-based medicine and current technology, combined with the best community health and wellness resources to optimize health outcomes for her patients. Christine has specialized in endocrine diseases, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. In addition, she is an experienced Diabetes Educator, and has applied that focus throughout her career to improve patient quality of life and medical outcomes.

Karma Miller, MSN FNP-C

Karma Miller, FNP-C received her Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2014 and her National Certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners soon afterwards. Karma practiced in a Vascular Surgery Clinic in Tucson for two years prior to joining Personalized HealthCare. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Karma worked for 18 years as an RN in the Cardiovascular ICU.  At PHC she specializes in wound-care, and in peripheral arterial and venous diseases.  In addition, she assesses, diagnoses and treats acute and chronic heath problems and provides well-women exams and triages urgent same day, next day and walk-in appointments.

Emily McGlamery, PharmD

Emily McGlamery, PharmD is a pharmacist registered in the State of Arizona. She graduated from Drake University with a Doctorate of Pharmacy. She completed her pharmacy residency at the Southern AZ VA Hospital and practiced there for 8 years prior to joining PHC. As part of the PHC Medical Provider team, she oversees medication management at PHC and is available to patients for consultations about medications, chronic disease management, and to determine medication needs for travel, arrange travel clinic appointments for required vaccinations, and to provide prophylactic medication prior to travel.

Jil Feldhausen, MS RDN

Jil Feldhausen, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian with over 30 years’ of experience. She is a nationally known lecturer and author of three books on nutrition. She coordinates the Annual Health Enhancement Evaluations which are the cornerstone of the PHC Wellness Initiative. Jil is available to PHC patients for nutritional counseling, and management of chronic disease conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, inflammatory bowel disease and obesity. Appointments with Jil can be scheduled by contacting the PHC office at 520-795-4100

Sammantha Meyer, PharmD

Sammantha Meyer, PharmD is a pharmacist registered in the State of Arizona. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Doctorate of Pharmacy in 2022 and completed a residency at the Oregon State Psychiatric Hospital. As a part of the PHC pharmacy team, she helps to oversee medications ensuring they are used in a safe and cost-effective manner, chronic disease state management, and psychiatric medication management. Sammantha is available to review medications and answer medication related questions to help improve patient outcomes.

Ingrid Patsch, MD, ABFM, ABOIM

Dr. Ingrid Patsch, MD graduated from the University of Nevada and the University of Nevada School of Medicine. She completed her Residency at USC-PIH Family Medicine Residency Program in Southern California. Dr. Patsch is double board-certified in both Family Medicine and Integrative Medicine. She holds three advanced training Fellowship certifications, one in teaching through USC, a second for patient care quality and safety through IHI, and the third, in Integrative Medicine through the National Academy of Integrative Health and Medicine. Though her interests in medicine are broad, Dr. Patsch’s professional goals remain committed to the patient connection and the healing power in that relationship. She holds the responsibilities entrusted to her by her patients and their families foremost in her daily work and strives to always guide her patients with the highest quality of evidence and information available so that patients can have a shared, mutual understanding of their health that is in alignment with their goals.

JOIN PHC

LOCATIONS

Personalized HealthCare of Tucson
5210 E FARNESS DRIVE
TUCSON, AZ  85712
Office Phone: 520-795-4100
Office Fax: 520-795-4224

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PHC at Hacienda at the Canyon
3900 SABINO CANYON ROAD
TUCSON, AZ. 85750
Office Phone: 520-829-0858
Office Fax: 520-308-5049

CONTACT

GENERAL CONTACT INFORMATION

PHC of Tucson

Urgent Medical Issues 8AM-5PM 520-795-4100

Address: 5210 E FARNESS DRIVE
Front office Phone: 520-795-4100

Fax: 520-795-4224 

Front Office Email: frontoffice@phcoftucson.com
Front Office Text(Non-Urgent): 520-795-4100

 

PHC At Hacienda at the Canyon

Urgent Medical Issues 8AM-5PM 520-829-0858

Address: 3900 Sabino Canyon Road
Front Office Phone: 520-829-0858

Fax: 520-308-5049
Front Office Email: frontoffice@phcoftucson.com
Front Office Text (Non-Urgent): 520-795-4100

AFTER HOURS CONTACT INFORMATION

FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: CALL 911

AFTER HOURS URGENT MEDICAL ISSUES: CALL 520-629-1044

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