Frequently asked Questions

Delivering medical care to all patients from one year and older. We also offer medical care to homebound patients which saves costly and unnecessary ambulance trips, emergency department visits, hospitalization and premature nursing home placements. Charis Physicians believes in the saying “Prevention is the best care” that is why we work closely with Home Health,  Hospice, medical equipment companies, pharmacies and other ancillary health services to assure the care is coordinated and timely.

Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

 NOTE: Please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any urgent matter that requires immediate attention. We check our voicemail daily and usually return calls within 2 business days.

 If you are experiencing a true medical emergency, I encourage you to call 911 as soon as possible. Hospital visits will be overseen by physicians associated with your local hospital. Our house call physician does not round at hospitals.

New patients or referrals who desire to use our physicians as their PCP, can contact our office at 469-366-9239. During the initial telephone call, our staff will request information from you and send you a new patientregistration/medical history packet. Once information and insurance eligibility is verified, we can schedule an appointment with one of our physicians. We assign our physicians based upon geographical areas. Unless otherwise requested, most of our new patients are seen within five business days of the initial call-many times the visits may be sooner.

   On the first visit our physicians make to your home, you should please hand the completed patient registration/medical history form that was mailed to you to the physician.Please have the following information readily available:A list of prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal or nutritional supplements you arecurrently taking. Please have all the bottles out.Immunization records, last Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) vaccinations, flu shots and tetanus shot.Insurance cards for verification (we will need a copy of both the front and the back of your insurance cards).A list of all physicians involved with your care including their phone and fax numbers and address.A list of medical equipment companies along with their phone and fax numbers and address.

Our physicians and staff are “on the road” during regular business hours Monday through Friday; therefore, a last minute cancellation means that a patient who could have been seen may not have that opportunity until the next round of scheduling. If you do cancel an appointment, please call us 24 hours prior to your scheduled visit. This allows us to offer the time to another patient.

As a courtesy to you, we will gladly bill your insurance company for your house call visit and any assorted charges. Your insurance coverage is an arrangement between you and your insurance company. As with most health care policies, payment (including any deductibles or other balances not covered by your insurance) is your responsibility.

At Charis Physicians Housecalls, the costs for services are similar to those as you would pay in a doctor’s office. If you would like to pay in cash for services, we have payment plans that maybe able to help your budget.If you have Medicare with a supplemental insurance, Medicare, Medicare with Medicaid or a private insurance, there is no out of pocket charge for a house call except your co-pay

Your calls are very important to us. Volume of calls is sometimes unpredictable so you may be placed on hold or will have to leave messages on our voicemail system. We check our messages through the course of the day and will return your call promptly. Please leave non-urgent messages on the voicemail.If you have a non emergencies after hours concerns that needs the attention of Roseline Onwuelezi, please call directly at 214-310-8962.For non emergencies and medication refills, you may call or leave a message with the answering service when we are closed. Our staff will respond to your call early the next business day.

Test results are always called to patient or caregiver within 24 hours of receiving them. It sometimes takes 3 to 4 days for certain tests to come back. If you do not hear from our office within one week of having the test done, please call our office – we most likely never got the result and will track it for you.

 Prior to your Charis Physicians Housecalls visit, please review your medication bottles for any refill needs. The physician will take care of the refills at the visit to ensure you do not run out of your medications.Your Charis Physicians Housecalls physician must approve a prescription refill. Medication will be filled during regular office hours.Please allow 48 hours for all refill requests.Please do not call after hours for medication refills. Please include the following information when calling in a request for medication refills:

 -Name of medication

 -Dosage of medication

 -Amount remaining

 -Pharmacy name and phone number

If you are using a mail order pharmacy, you need to have ID number and phone/fax number of the pharmacy. NOTE:Our office normally contacts pharmacies towards the end of our office day to authorize refills.

A signed statement is required for the release of medical records. Please allow two weeks to copy the records.A minimum charge may be assessed for this service as determined by state law.

YES you always have a choice. It is understood that to expedite our healthcare delivery to you or your loved one, we use certain companies we know. But always remember that you have the right of choice to use any company that you think will and can better serve your healthcare needs. Just inform your doctor or our office the name and phone number of the company you elected to use.

1. Uses and Disclosures for Treatment: CPH will use and disclose your PHI for “treatment.” “Treatment” includes the provision, coordination or management of healthcare and related services by one or more health care providers, including, but not limited to the referral of a patient from one health care provider to another. For example, CPH might use your PHI to provide information to your internist concerning specialist within the Plan’s network to whom you can be referred for a specific type of treatment.
2. Uses and Disclosures for Payment:CPH will use and disclose your PHI for payment.” “Payment” includes but is not limited to claims processing, claims payment, payroll deductions and eligibility determinations. For example, CPH will use your PHI to determine whether you are entitled to benefits and, if you are, to prepare a check to reimburse you.
3. Uses and Disclosures for Health Care Operations:CPH will use and disclose your PHI for “health care operations.” “Health care operations” includes, but is not limited to securing or placing a contract for reinsurance of risk relating to claims for health care, arranging for medical review, legal services, auditing functions, and fraud and abuse detection programs, business planning and development; investigating and resolving complaints of privacy violations; responding to inquiries from HHS; and business management and general administrative activities. For example, CPH may review your PHI to determine whether it must be produced in response to a request by HHS.
4. Disclosures to CPH Sponsor: CPH will disclose our PHI to the Company’s in-house benefits administrators so that they can perform “CPH administration functions.” CPH administration functions include, but are not limited to, claims processing, eligibility, determinations, and appeals from denials of coverage. The Company’s in-house benefits administrators are prohibited from using disclosing your PHI for employment related decisions.
5. Disclosures To Business Associates: CPH has contracted with third parties (referred to as a business associate) to use and disclose your PHI to perform services for CPH. CPH will disclose your PHI to a business associate only after securing the business associate’s written agreement to safeguard the privacy of your PHI.

1. Uses or Disclosures Required By Law: CPH may use or disclose your PHI as required by any statute, regulation, court order or other mandate enforceable in a court of law.
2. Disclosures for Workers’ Compensation: CPH may disclose your PHI as required or permitted by state or federal workers’ compensation laws.
3. Disclosures To Family Members or Close Personal Friends: CPH may disclose your PHI to a family member or close personal friend who is involved in your treatment or payment for your treatment if (a) you are present and agree to the disclosure, or (b) you are not present, but CPH determines that it is in your best interest to disclose the information.
4. Disclosure for Judicial and Administrative Proceedings: CPH may disclose your PHI in an administrative or judicial proceeding in response to a subpoena or a request to produce documents. CPH will disclose your PHI in these circumstances only if the requesting party first provides CPH with written documentation the privacy of your PHI will be protected.
5. Disclosure for Law Enforcement Purposes: CPH may disclose your PHI for law enforcement purposes to a law enforcement official, such as in response to a grand jury subpoena. Before producing your PHI for law enforcement purposes, CPH will take steps to ensure the legitimacy of the request.
6. Incidental Uses And Disclosures: CPH may use or disclose your PHI in a manner which is incidental to the uses and disclosures described in this Notice.
7. Disclosure for Public Health Activities: CPH may disclose your PHI to a government agency responsible for preventing or controlling disease, injury, disability, or child abuse or neglect. CPH may disclose your PHI to a person or entity regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) if the disclosure relates to the quality or safety of an FDA regulated product, such as a medical device.
8. Disclosure for Health Oversight Activities: CPH may disclose your PHI to a government agency responsible for overseeing the health care system or health related government benefit programs.
9. Disclosure about Victims of Abuse, Neglect or Domestic Violence: CPH may disclose your PHI to the responsible government agency if CPH (a) reasonably believes that you are a victim of abuse, neglect or domestic violence and (b) is required or permitted by law to make the disclosure. CPH will promptly inform you that such a disclosure has been made unless CPH determines that informing you or your personal representative would not be in your best interest.
10. Uses and Disclosures to Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety: CPH may use or disclose your PHI to reduce a risk of serious and imminent harm to another person or to the public.
11. Disclosures to HHS: CPH may disclose your PHI to HHS, the government agency responsible for overseeing CPH’s compliance and federal privacy law and regulations.
12. Disclosure for Research: CPH may use or disclose your PHI for research, subject to conditions. “Research” means systemic investigation designed to contribute to generalized knowledge.
13. Disclosures in Connection with Your Death or Organ Donation: CPH may disclose your PHI to a coroner for identification purposes, to a funeral director for funeral purposes, or to an organ procurement organization to facilitate transportation of one of your organs.

          At Charis Physicians Housecalls, PLLC we’re working hard every day to bring our vision of healthcare to life. We want you to share in that vision, to understand your rights and to have the highest expectations when it comes to your care. While there will be times when it is not possible to achieve every goal during your visit, we are committed to making our vision a reality and providing the best care possible.

 You have the right to:

Be Treated with Respect

It is our privilege to serve every patient that comes through our door. We pledge to serve patients with consideration and without discrimination  at all times.

Participate In Your Healthcare

You have the right to all the information you need to make the best possible decisions, including treatment options, test results, and an explanation of costs involved. You have the right to accept or reject a treatment plan. Your care will be improved if you participate in the decisions regarding your health.

Access Your Medical Record

Your medical record is kept in the Clinic, but it is your medical information and you have the right to access it. You may order a copy of your record at any time for a small administrative fee.

A Second Opinion

Do not hesitate to ask your doctor if you want a second opinion. Many times, when a disease is serious, complex or demands a surgical intervention, patients seek a second opinion.

Confidentiality

You have the right to talk in confidence with your healthcare providers and, within legal limits, to have your privacy protected at all times.

Have a Family Member with You

You may have a family member accompany you during your discussion with the doctor.

Have Your Advance Directive on File

Many patients develop “advance directives,” or living wills. You can give this to your doctor and it will be filed in your medical record.

Be Examined In Private

You have the right to request that your examination be completed without anyone else in the room (unless a chaperone is required for sensitive exams).

  SOME OF THE MOST COMMON DIAGNOSES AND CONDITIONS WE MANAGE:

 Emphysema, Pneumonia

 Pain Management and Palliative

 Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis

 Pulmonary Disease; COPD

 Diabetics

 Cardiac Conditions; CHF

 Hypertension

 Depression and Coping with Loss

 Brain injury and stroke

 Balance Impairment and Gait abnormalities

 Osteoporosis

 Nutritional Assessment

 Care Plan Oversite of Home Health and Hospice Care

 Wound Assessment and Management

 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Assessments

 Flu and other Infection Assessments and management

SERVICES (IN COLLABORATION)

 Decubitus Ulcer Care and Wound Debridement

 Vaccinations/Flu Shots

 Blood Draws (Lab Services)

 Cardiac Workup

 Anticoagulant Monitoring

 Medical Balance Assessment and treatment.

 Physical therapy and specialized rehabilitation services

 Community Placement consultation

 Medical Equipment Authorization

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (IN COLLABORATION)

Laboratory Testing

Holter Monitoring

X-rays

Sleep Studies

EKG

Pulse Oximetry Testing

Vascular and Doppler Studies

Bone Density Testing

Other Diagnostic Testing

There are many different situations and conditions that can qualify someone as homebound.

A patient who meets Medicare’s definition of HOMEBOUND is “Normally unable to leave home unassisted. To be homebound means that leaving home takes considerable and taxing effort. A person may leave home for medical treatment or short, infrequent absences for non-medical reasons, such as a trip to the barber or to attend religious services. A need for adult day care doesn’t keep you from getting home health care. Below is a list of some of the reasons a patient may be homebound:

Chairbound/Bedbound

Severe shortness of breath

Oxygen dependent

Pain restricting movement

Needs assistance to move

Terminal condition

Severe functional limitations

Requires maximum assistance for all activities

Severe immune suppression

Impaired mental status

Requires 24 hour care and supervision

Cannot leave the home unattended due to Dementia

Unsafe for patient without supervision

Shortness of breath due to talking

Cardiac restriction due to chest pain

Confusion level precedes safe leaving of home

Severe weakness, unsteady gait

Second level or high home without elevators

Patient unable to use the stairs independently

Angina with activity

Lower extremity edemas impairing ambulation

Pain on movement or walking

Activity restricted due to pain

Cannot safely leave home without assistive device

Medically restricted due to risk of infection post-op

Weakness due to chemotherapy or radiation treatments

Poor vision

Complex wounds

A licensed medical doctor or nurse practitioner comes to your home. Our general practice Doctor or a Nurse practitioner makes housecalls or conduct telehealth conference.

No. You can make an appointment directly. Just pick up the phone or make an appointment on-line. We make housecalls 5 days a week to homebound patients and telehealth patients  here at Charis Physicians Housecalls

Charis Physicians Housecall accepts Cash, Texas Medicare, Medicare with supplemental insurance, Medicare with Medicare, Medicaid, Molina, Superior, Amerigroup, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United health Care and other private insurances. 

Yes. The Doctor makes house calls to see homebound patients in assisted/non-assisted living homes or nursing homes. Please call to verify our service coverage area.

Our Housecall practice serve the following cities and towns in Dallas Metroplex. Please call our office to find out whether the doctor can come and see you.

           We Serve: DALLAS, CEDAR HILL, DESOTO, DUNCANVILLE, GARLAND, MESQUITE, MURPHY, PLANO, RICHARDSON, ROCKWALL, ROWLETT, SACHSE, SUNNYVALE, WYLIE, LANCASTER, HIGHLAND PARK, BALCH SPRING, IRVING, LAVON, FARMERS BRANCH.