Below are answers to FAQs about transitioning your care to a new office:
The information below is really important– Please read what follows carefully so you can make informed decisions about your health care. As options vary depending on your insurance, make sure you are reading the correct section. I will begin with non-HMO patients first, as their options are the most straightforward.
Choosing a Provider:
- Non HMO patients who wish to follow Brandie to Edinger Medical Group:
- Call Edinger Medical Group at 714-965-2557 for assistance (seniors call 714-965-2558)
- Non HMO patients who wish to choose a different Provider
- Choose a provider contracted with your health plan. If necessary, you may request your records be transferred. Records will not be transferred without a written request
- HMO patients who want to follow Brandie to Edinger Medical Group
- Must choose an Edinger Physician as their primary care provider and notify their health plan of their decision. A list of providers can be found at www.edingermedicalgroup.com
- NOTE- EDINGER MEDICAL GROUP IS NOT CURRENTLY AFFILIATED WITH HOAG HOSPITAL AND MANY OF ITS SPECIALISTS. Patients under the care of a specialist in the MemorialCare Independent Physicians Newport Beach section may NOT have access to that specialist if they transfer to Edinger Medical Group.
- To find out if your specialist is in the Edinger Network, you may call Edinger Medical Group at the number above
- NOTE- EDINGER MEDICAL GROUP IS NOT CURRENTLY AFFILIATED WITH HOAG HOSPITAL AND MANY OF ITS SPECIALISTS. Patients under the care of a specialist in the MemorialCare Independent Physicians Newport Beach section may NOT have access to that specialist if they transfer to Edinger Medical Group.
- Must choose an Edinger Physician as their primary care provider and notify their health plan of their decision. A list of providers can be found at www.edingermedicalgroup.com
- HMO patients who wish to remain a part of MemorialCare Independent Physicians have two options
- Allow MemorialCare Independent Physicians to assign you to a new Primary Care Physician within the MCIP network. MCIP is required to do this for all patients who do not choose a new physician and notify their health plan of their choice, as all patients must have a PCP. MCIP has identified four providers in the Huntington Beach area who have the capacity to accept new members, and will be notifying patients of their assigned physician in the days ahead
- Choose a new provider within the MemorialCare Independent Physicians network. There are a number of excellent physicians accepting new patients, including Dr. Brian Coyne, who is relocating from Fountain Valley to Huntington Beach on March 1, or Dr. Nishu Karki.
Pharmacies and Prescriptions– We are working to inform all local pharmacies of our upcoming closure, but experience has taught us there will be some pharmacies who do not act on the information. If you are taking any medications on a daily basis, you must establish a relationship with a new provider before you are due for a refill. Brandie, Donna, and I are trying to give patients a few extra months, but anything more is not appropriate. Dr. Barrett is stepping away from primary care and will not be managing patients going forward. It will not be possible for him, or Brandie, to give additional refills!
Medical Records-Will follow Brandie and Dr. Barrett to Edinger Medical Group. Medical records will not be automatically transferred to a different provider. Patients who want their records sent to a new provider must request them in writing or via the patient portal before February 25. After that date, the portal will shut down, and records will have to be requested through Medical Records c/o Edinger Medical Group, 20981 Magnolia Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Summary:
Non-HMO patient have two choices: Follow Brandie to Edinger Medical Group, or choose a new provider
HMO Patients have three choices:
- Do nothing and be assigned to a new MCIP provider
- Choose a non MCIP, non EMG provider
- Choose a provider within Edinger Medical Group and continue to have access to Brandie for your primary care needs
All Patients: Need to make a decision soon!