LivingWell Practice FAQ

You may have many questions about moving your care to a LivingWell Practice. We have gathered the following questions and answers from our existing members and LivingWell Care Team to help you better understand what to expect during this change.

Q: What is a LivingWell Practice?
A: A LivingWell Practice is a partnership between your doctor and HealthSpring. The partnership adds a nurse practitioner, nurse, and a pharmacist to your doctor’s care team. These additional resources will increase the amount of time for a patient’s annual physical, which will identify any needed preventative tests, and, most importantly, to provide an individualized level of care to each unique patient.

Q: What physicians are participating in the LivingWell Practice?
A: Dr. Basaldua, Dr. Grayson, Dr. Carpenter

Q: What patients will the LivingWell care team see?
A: The care team will only see patients with HealthSpring insurance.

Q: What is the scope of the LivingWell care team?
A: The LivingWell care team will be incorporated into your office to conduct comprehensive annual physicals. The LivingWell care team will also follow up with patients who have been hospitalized and have been to the ER to coordinate additional care. The primary office will continue to manage appointments, acute visits, prescriptions, tests, referrals, etc. The care team would not duplicate any existing processes within your office.

Q: When will the LivingWell care team see patients?
A: The LivingWell care team will rotate based on exam room availability within all three offices. The scheduling system will reflect the days / hours they are within your practice location.

Q: How will the HealthSpring patients be scheduled with the LivingWell care team?
A: Initially the care team will call patients to explain the purpose of the LivingWell practice and begin to schedule patients. We will need your assistance if a patient calls to reschedule or cancel their appointment, since the care team may be seeing patients and unable to speak with the patient directly. The schedule in the EMR system will reflect the times/hours at your practice location to re-schedule the patient.

Q: What is included in these physicals and exactly how are they different from what is currently being done?
A: The key difference is the amount of time spent with the patient. The nurse practitioner and nurse will spend up to an hour to learn the specific needs of the patient, including: A review of the patient’s medical and family history A complete physical examination to look at the patient’s physical and mental health Based on a pharmacist clinical review of the patient’s medications, the NP will ensure they are taking the correct medications, avoiding unnecessary or any duplicate medications, and assess affordability of all medications. Medications are updated and during this visit. A review of all diagnosed medical problems and, for patients with diabetes, COPD, or other chronic diseases, a review of how the patient can help manage these diseases themselves Ordering any preventative tests, including labs, to detect diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, or others An explanation to the patient of their health care needs and what they can do to remain healthy Coordinate and / or complete an HMR if required

Q: Is there a co-pay for the LivingWell care team visit?
A: All annual comprehensive physicals completed by the nurse and pharmacist visits do not require a co-pay.