Bulfinch Medical Group Frequently Asked Questions

Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm

Q. How can I reach the office after hours?
A. To reach the office after hours, please call 617-724-6610 to reach our answering service.

New patient availability is limited at this time. If you would like to find another physician at Mass General, please call the Primary Care Referral Service at 800-711-4644.

Our online services offer a convenient way to:

• Request an appointment
• Request an insurance referral
• Request a prescription refill
• Send a message to your provider
• View most of your lab results

Q. How can I access your online services?
A. You can access our online services by logging on to our secure website, Patient Gateway.

Q. How can I enroll for your online services?
A. Enrolling for our online services is quick and easy.  Simply go to Patient Gateway and click the “Enroll Online” link.

Q. What is the best method to get my prescription refilled?
A. The best method to get your prescription refilled is to request it during your office visit.

Q. What is the preferred method to get my prescription refilled between visits?
A. The preferred method to get your prescription refilled between visits is by logging on to our secure website, Patient Gateway, or through your pharmacy.

Q. What if I do not have a computer?
A: If you do not have a computer, you can get your prescription refilled by contacting your pharmacy or our office at 617-724-6610.

Q. What is the best method to request an appointment?
The best method to request an appointment is during your office visit.

Q. What is the preferred method to request an appointment between visits?
A. The preferred method to request an appointment between visits is by logging on to our secure web service, Patient Gateway.

Q. What are the different types of appointments offered at Bulfinch Medical Group?
A. There are several types of appointments that could be scheduled for you:

1. Routine Preventive Care: Also called an “annual check-up.” This visit is a time for you to have a general check-up, for your doctor to review your overall health, and to order any age-specific screening tests you may need. The goals for this type of visit include identification of any health problems early and to work with you on any ongoing medical problems. Depending on your age, you may need this type of exam every 1-3 years. This appointment is usually scheduled for 30 minutes.
2. Follow-Up: This type of appointment is for monitoring any specific medical condition or problem you may have. An example of a follow-up appointment would be if your doctor started you on a new medicine for high blood pressure and asked you to return in 2 weeks to check to see if your blood pressure improved. These appointments tend to last 15 to 30 minutes.
3. Routine Problem Visit: This type of appointment is for any new health problem that is not urgent. These appointments tend to last 15 minutes.
4. Urgent/Same Day Appointment: This type of appointment is for a new symptom or a recent change in your health that you feel needs to be evaluated as soon as possible. These appointments usually take approximately 15 minutes.
5. Nurse Visit: This type of appointment can be scheduled to help monitor a condition. You may have an appointment with a nurse for education about your condition or to learn about how to improve your health. You can also see a nurse for any urgent symptoms you may be having or to get a needed vaccine.

Q. How can I get the most from my office visit with the doctor or nurse?
A. We want to be sure that you get the best care possible at each appointment. There are some things that you can do to help both you and your doctor or nurse get the most out of your visits:

• When making an appointment inform us how we can help you and the main reason for your visit.
• Let us know if you have any worries or health concerns.
• Bring all bottles of medicine that you take, both the ones prescribed for you by a doctor or nurse practitioner and those you buy yourself at the pharmacy. If it is easier for you, you can bring a written list of them.
• Let us know if any of your medicines need to be refilled at the beginning of the visit.
• Bring any copies of medical history and shot records from other doctors or hospitals where you have been a patient. If you do not have copies of these it would be helpful if you could request them before your visit and have them sent to Bulfinch Medical Group.

If your appointment is for a specific problem or symptom, please let us know:

• When did you start feeling sick?
• What have you been doing to take care of the problem?
• Let our team know if you’ve felt this way before.

Q. What is the best way to go about getting a form filled out by my doctor?
A. If you need a form filled out as part of a scheduled visit, there are a few things we would ask you to do to make the process go smoothly:

• Let the secretary know when making an appointment that you need a form completed.
• Before the appointment, please fill in all the information you can.
• Bring any copies of your medical history and shot records from other doctors or hospitals where you have been a patient.
• If you do not have these records, please request them ahead of time so they are available for the visit.
• Unfortunately, if we do not have these records we may not be able to complete the form and it may take a second appointment to complete the process.

Q. If I ever need to be hospitalized at Mass General will I still see my Bulfinch Medical Group doctor?
A. If you ever need to be admitted to Mass General, your Bulfinch Medical Group doctor, or a doctor covering from the group, will oversee your care. This doctor will work with the Mass General in-patient staff to make sure you get the best care at all times.

Q. What is the best method to request a referral?
A. The best method to request a referral is by logging on to Patient Gateway.

Q. What if I do not have a computer?
A. You can request a referral by contacting our office at 617-724-6610.

Q. What is the best way to obtain my test results?
A. The best way to obtain your test results is by logging on to Patient Gateway. If you do not have a computer, your physician will typically mail you the test results. However, if you do not receive them, please call our office at 617-724-6610.

Q. How can I help to ensure safety with my medications?
A. The best way to help prevent errors with your medications is to be an active member of the health care team. You should be a part of making the decision about any medicines that you are taking. Research shows that patients involved with their care get better results.

Q. Can I assume my doctor knows the medicine I am taking?
A. Sometimes you will see a different doctor, a specialist, or need to go to the emergency room. The information about medicines may not get passed on in these situations. Be sure to keep a list of all your current medicines. Once a year bring in all the medicines and supplements you are taking to the doctor’s office for review.

Q. How can I avoid getting the wrong medicine?:
A.

• Make sure your doctor knows of any allergic reactions or adverse reactions to any medicine you have taken in the past.
• Be sure you can read the prescription given to you by your health care provider.
• Make sure you know what the medicine is for and how you are supposed to take it.
• Ask about any possible side effects.
• Make sure the medicine is safe to take with the other medicines you are on.
• Check the label on the medicine when you get it from the pharmacy to be sure it is the correct medicine and that it is the correct dose.

Q. I have to go to the hospital. What can I do to be sure I will be getting the correct medicines?
A.

• Have a list of prescriptions to show the health care team at the hospital.
• When you are being discharged, be sure you know which prescriptions you will be continuing to take. Also, be sure you have a full understanding of any new prescriptions you will be starting.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions

Q. How can I obtain a copy of my medical records?
A. To obtain a copy of your medical records please print, complete, and mail our medical record release form to:

MGH Medical Records 
Release of Information Unit 
121 Innerbelt Road, Room 240 
Somerville, MA 02143

OR

Fax the completed form to 617-726-3661

If you have any questions regarding the release please call MGH Medical Records at 617-726-2361.