PATIENT INFORMATION
At Family Medical Doctors, we believe healthcare works best when there is clarity, trust, and a true partnership between patient and physician.
This page explains how to join our practice, the insurance plans we participate in, and how to prepare for your visit.
Jump to Downloadable Forms & Documents
Insurance & Coverage
✅ Traditional Medicare
We are accepting new Medicare patients.
✅ Medicare ACO (Value-Based Care Program)
We participate in the West Florida ACO.
This model emphasizes:
- Continuity of care
- Prevention and proactive follow-up
- Coordinated care among healthcare providers
The goal is to reduce avoidable hospitalizations and support better long-term health outcomes.
✅ Commercial / Private Insurance
(Selective Participation – varies by employer and plan)
We currently participate with many plans under:
- Blue Cross / Blue Shield
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
Because each insurance network has multiple plan tiers,
please call our office to confirm your specific plan before scheduling.
❌ Not Accepting New Medicare Advantage HMO Patients at This Time
Our Medicare Advantage panels with:
Humana, CarePlus, Optimum, Freedom, and Devoted
are currently closed to new enrollment.
We do currently accept:
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage (PPO / Fee-for-Service)
- Blue Cross Medicare Advantage (PPO)
(Not HMO plans that require panel participation.)
Humana and Optimum panels may reopen in the future.
If they do, we will post updates here prior to enrollment periods.
Self-Pay
Self-pay is available only for:
The Functional & Metabolic Medicine Program
This program is designed to restore health through root-cause evaluation, not to replace primary care.
Because insurance coverage can be confusing, we strongly recommend calling us before scheduling — to avoid any frustration or surprises.
Our staff will help verify your benefits and guide you step-by-step.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
We take time to listen, understand your story, and build a plan that aligns with your goals and values.
To help your visit go smoothly:
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early
- Bring your insurance card
- Bring a current medication list
- If you are new, complete your forms ahead of time and include as much health history detail as possible, including prior physicians and specialists.
Office Policies and Guidelines
1. Our Philosophy, Mission & Goals
We have evolved to bring you the future of medicine — today.
At Family Medical Doctors, we believe healthcare should be personal, thoughtful, and rooted in genuine healing — not rushed visits, fragmented referrals, or symptom-focused quick fixes.
Our care model emphasizes prevention, lifestyle change, and root-cause understanding, because lasting health comes from strengthening the whole human system.
The medical system often rewards over-testing, over-treatment, and medications before habits. Many interventions are oversold, under-studied, or influenced by industry.
Our approach is different.
Every medication, test, referral, or procedure must answer one question:
Does this meaningfully improve your health, with clear benefit and acceptable risk — regardless of who pays for it?
If not, we do not recommend it.
Healthcare is a partnership — and we honor the trust patients place in us by offering independent, evidence-based guidance without commercial influence. Patients commit to engaging in their health journey and making sustainable lifestyle changes.
Together, we create better long-term health.
1. New Services at FMD
In addition to traditional primary care, we now offer:
- Concierge Medicine — Dr. Nilesh Desai
- Functional / Metabolic Medicine — Dr. Bharat Desai
These models deliver personalized, proactive, prevention-focused care.
Learn more on our Services page.
2. Office Hours & Scheduling
Office Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
(We may briefly close for lunch.)
Appointments
- Visits are by appointment only
- Same-day appointments may be availableBring all medications in original bottles, including supplements
Cancellations
- Notify us 24 hours in advance
- No-shows or same-day cancellations incur a $50 fee
Walk-Outs
Leaving before being seen (non-emergency) incurs a $50 fee
Wait Times
If you have waited more than 15 minutes, please notify the front desk.
3. Lab Work, Imaging & Test Results
We currently provide:
- Urine testing
- Flu testing
- COVID testing
We do not draw blood in-house.
All labs are ordered thru Independent labs like Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp.
A follow-up appointment within 7–10 days is required to review any diagnostic results.
Results are not interpreted via phone or messaging.
4. Annual Exams & Wellness Visits
We strongly encourage yearly physicals and preventive care.
Insurance coverage varies — please verify your benefits before scheduling.
5. Prescriptions, Refills & Controlled Medications
- Request refills during scheduled appointments when possible
- Medications prescribed by another physician must be refilled by that physician
- Do not wait until medication runs out
- Pharmacy Delays must be handled directly with the pharmacy.
Controlled Medications require a signed medication agreement.
No early refills or exceptions
6. Samples
We do not provide pharmaceutical samples and do not allow drug representatives in our office — to protect clinical decision-making from commercial influence.
7. Mutual Respect & Conduct Expectations
We provide care with dignity, respect, and professionalism — and expect the same.
Not acceptable:
a) Rude, aggressive, or hostile behavior
b) Demands for unnecessary testing, referrals, or medications
c) Out-of-state family directing care
Repeated issues may result in dismissal from the practice.
9. Insurance Responsibilities
Patients are responsible for:
- Understanding their coverage, deductibles, and copays
- Bringing updated insurance cards
- Notifying us of insurance changes promptly
We file claims as a courtesy — however, all charges remain the patient’s responsibility.
10. Financial Policies
- Copays, deductibles, and coinsurance are due at the time of service
- We accept cash, checks, and major credit/debit cards
- Returned checks incur a $30 fee
- Payment plans may be available — speak with billing staff
11. Forms, FMLA & Administrative Fees
Completion of medical forms requires: $25 fee
7–10 business days for processing
Forms are completed only when medical criteria are met.
12. Medical Records
A signed release is required before records can be shared.
Patients must ensure outside providers send records — it does not happen automatically.
13. Service Animals
Per ADA guidelines:
- Only trained service dogs are permitted
- Emotional-support animals are not allowed
- The animal must be housebroken and under control
14. Acknowledgement
I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the Family Medical Doctors Office Policy Guidelines.
Signature / Patient or Guardian: __________________________
Date: ____________________
Downloadable Forms & Documents
New Patient Forms
Advanced Directives
Additional Resources
For educational articles, videos, and seminars, visit the FMD Learning Center.
We Are Here to Help
If you have questions — call us. We listen. We explain. We guide.
Tel: (727) 807-6900
Fax: (727) 807-6901