Welcome to our website : First Care

Click on Family Medicine or Urgent Care to see all of our services

First Care Family Medical Center provides family medical and urgent care to people of all ages. We provide comprehensive, professional and efficient healthcare services in a patient friendly environment. First Care offers a diverse range of medical services to our patients in one convenient location. In addition to excellent medical care, First Care offers other in-house services for your convenience and comfort.

Pediatric and Adult Services

- Routine care for illness, injury and chronic medical conditions

- School/Sports/Camp/Physicals

- Well Child & Adult Physicals

- Immunizations, Tetanus Shots, & Influenza Treatments

- I.V. Treatments & Antibiotic Shots & I.V.

- Asthma & Breathing Treatments

- Complete line of injectable medications

- Physician Referral

- Travel Medicine & Immunizations

- Drug Screenings, Preventative Healthcare & Screenings

- Cryogen - cryosurgery without the use of cryogenic gases & liquids

- Dermatology & Skin Care

- Minor Surgical Procedures

- X-Ray & EKG

Patient Friendly Services

- Spacious Rooms and Waiting Areas

- Free WiFi Service

- In-House Prescriptions

- Over-The-Counter Medications

- High-Quality Nutritional Supplements

- Children's Center with Television

- Activity Books and Balloons

On Site Lab

Our on Site laboratory is equipped to efficiently and safely obtain blood, urine and other samples to obtain fast and accurate test results. Diagnostic testing is fundamental to managing a patient’s health and preventing or detecting diseases earlier and giving and proper diagnosis and treatments. Whether it is a routine test or a more serious advance test First Care works hard to get your results done accurately and quickly for peace of mind. First Care is a State Of Alabama CLIA Certified Lab.

Rx Services

Avoid a long wait at your pharmacy! First Care is please to offer an in-house pharmacy service on many of the top prescriptions prescribed at First Care. You can obtain your prescription in just a few minutes and at a low cost, often less than the price at major chain pharmacies. Inquire with your check out nurse on the day of your visit to learn more.

Registration Forms

For your convenience you can print registration forms, fill out and bring with you to First Care.

Patient Consent Form

Registration Form

Comfortable, spacious lobby

Acute Care

Acute care for injury and illness:

Services Offered

- Casting & Splinting

- Laceration repair

- Wound and Burn Treatment and Care

- Minor Surgery

- IV Therapy

- Sprains & Strains

- Cuts & Stitches

- Allergic Reactions

Patient Friendly Services

- Spacious Rooms and Waiting Areas

- Free WiFi Service

- In-House Prescriptions

- Over-The-Counter Medications

- High-Quality Nutritional Supplements

- Children's Center with Television

- Activity Books and Balloons

Digital x-ray

Having high tech digital X-ray capabilities onsite at First Care means you and your doctor can immediately take a look at your painful lungs or rule out a broken ankle when it is only sprained. We have a team of highly trained nurses and x-ray technicians who will use this state-of-the-art radiographic equipment to provide your doctor with high quality digital X-rays. And because your doctor will see these in real time you are often spared unnecessary additional testing.

Digital x-ray

Registration Forms

For your convenience you can print registration forms, fill out and bring with you to First Care.

Patient Consent Form

Registration Form

Comfortable, spacious lobby

Medical Billing Service

First Care's Billing and Administrative Office provides practice management services to medical practices. First Care provides these billing and management services for other physicians including emergency room physicians, internal medicine, hospital and family practice groups. First Care assists in auditing physicians' offices and performing billing and management functions for those offices, including insurance and patient billing, accounts receivable management, collection and office functions as needed by those practices. First Care also serves as customer service representatives to patients when they call the medical practices' customer service centers to answer billing questions regarding insurance and account questions.

Medical Billing Service

Have any questions or feedback? Feel free to call us at 205-349-2323 or email us
2012 First Care. All rights reserved.

Photography by: Porfirio J. Solorzano f8 Production, LLC

NEWS

Annual Deductibles

A new year means new annual deductibles for many insurance plans, primarily Medicare. Many insurance carriers have in-network deductibles, out-of-network deductibles, prescription deductibles, and even deductibles for certain services such as injections, labwork, and x-rays. Insurance companies deduct contractual adjustments (for in-network providers) from submitted charges to determine the eligible deductible amounts.Medicare patients with Part B coverage (which covers physician services like First Care, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, and durable medical equipment) must meet a $140 annual deductible in 2012 before Medicare will cover 80% of the eligible charges. Medicare will apply eligible charges to the Part B deductible based on the order claims are received, not the date of service. (Even if a Part B provider collects a portion of your deductible but fails to file your claim before a subsequent visit to another Part B provider, Medicare will still process the claims in the order received; your deductible amount may be owed to the second provider rather than the first.) Finally, Medicare supplemental plans may or may not cover the Part B deductible amount left by Medicare. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama offers C Plus as one of the largest Medicare supplemental plans in the state. According to Blue Cross, C Plus Plan B participants must pay their Medicare Part B deductible out-of-pocket before eligible coinsurance amounts are covered.

Source Articles:https://questions.medicare.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/2309/kw/2012%20deductible/session/L3NpZC91RlJqaXlPaw%3D%3Dhttps://questions.medicare.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/22/kw/2012%20deductiblehttps://questions.medicare.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/28/kw/2012%20deductiblehttps://www.bcbsalmedicare.com/medicare/plans/cplus/index.cfm

How Can My Medical Expenses Benefit Me?

Any premiums/deductibles or co-pays that you pay “out of pocket” can be a benefit to you when filing your taxes. As long as your “out of pocket” medical expenses are greater than 7.5% of your AGI (Adjusted Gross Income) you may deduct the full amount on your Schedule A (Form 1040). The IRS defines a medical expense as the costs of diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, and the costs for treatments affecting any part or function of the body; they include the premiums you pay for insurance that covers the expenses of medical care and the amounts you pay for transportation to get medical care. You can also include amounts paid for qualified long-term care services. Don’t forget to get your printouts from your medical providers before filing your taxes; it could be a BIG benefit!

DID YOU KNOW AUGUST is National Immunization Awareness Month?

To help keep our local community safe, First Care Family Medical Center is proudly participating in National Immunization Awareness Month. We all need immunizations (also called vaccines or shots) to help protect us from serious diseases. Shots can prevent infectious diseases like measles, diphtheria, and rubella. But people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases. It’s important to know which shots you need and when to get them.Everyone over age 6 months needs a seasonal flu shot every year. Other shots work best when they are given at certain ages. Here are some general guidelines:

- Children need a series of shots from birth to age 6

- Pre-teens need recommended shots at age 11 or 12

- All adults need a tetanus booster shot every 10 yearsVisit First Care Family Medical Center for the shots you and your family may need or for more information about which shots you need and when.

Source: 2011 National Health Observances, National Health Information Center, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.

August Means Time to Go Back-to-School!

First Care wants you to be prepared for the upcoming school year, so we offer a few reminders and suggestions to families with children in our community:- Obtain a Vaccination Record (Blue Card)- Provide correct insurance information- Update Emergency Contact Information- Include First Care and any other medical providers

- Document any allergies or special needs

- Keep any medications in original bottles- Know the policy regarding sick days and excuses

- Teach good habits such as washing hands

- Reduce backpacks to no more than 20% of body weight- Pack healthy food for snacks and lunches

- Follow morning and evening routinesFirst Care Family Medical Center hopes you have a wonderful start to the 2011-2012 school year!

Source: WebMD Medical Reference

Sports Safety

It’s almost back to school time again! At First Care we want to be your 1st thought for all your back to schools needs. We also want to stress how important it is to have a sports physical before your athlete participates in any type of physical activity.In recent years there has been an increase in deaths among young athletes. Most schools systems require a yearly sports physicals now but if your system doesn’t, we highly recommend a sports physical before participating in any type of sports activity.What is included in sports physical:- A complete medical history including family history- Physical Exam- Blood Pressure Check- Listening to the heart in both laying down and standing positions- Vision check- Evaluate posture, joints, strength and flexibility- Height and weight

For more information about sports physicals and other important health issues, please visit: kidshealth.org/teen/food/fitness/sports-physicals

Just remember your athlete’s health is important to us at First Care. We hope your have a great school year.

Preventive Health Care is important to prevent disease and achieve optimal health. First Care Family Medical provides preventive health care services, including examinations, screening tests and immunizations appropriate to age, health, and family history for children and adults. No appointment necessary. X-ray and lab facilities on site.Summertime Has Arrived in Alabama!!Staying safe is very important to us at First Care. During this time of the year everyone wants to spend time outdoors with friends and family. Below are some tips you can use to stay safe and healthy:

- Use Sunscreen- Stay Hydrated-Drink lots of fluids

- Wear Protective Clothes

- Use Insect Repellent

- Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day

Driver safety

June has always been a very exciting time for me, and one of my favorite times of the year. The beginning of summer with days spent on carefree things. Trips to the beach, vacation bible school, yards with flowers in full bloom, and home grownvegetables all remind us of a happy time that starts in June. This changed for me 6 years ago when my youngest son was killed in a motor vehicle accident. We all believe that accidents happen at night, on dangerous roads, or in bad weather, but none of those factors contributed to this accident. One bright summer morning driving on a highway with a long range of visibility he became distracted and veered into oncoming traffic, losing his life in the same month he was born.According to the World Health Organization, motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death by injury to children 10-19 years old and the sixth leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Driving is a complex skill that requires all of your attention and teens are especially susceptible to distractions while driving. Results from a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute revealed that 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes involve driver distraction that occurred within three seconds before the accident. The leading distractions are: cell phone use, reaching for objects inside the vehicle, watching something outside the vehicle, reading, and applying makeup.Begin this month and all others by keeping yourself and others on the road safe. To prevent distractions finish calls and meals and select radio or music before beginning to drive. Remember to always keep your eyes on the road, your mind on the road, and your hands on the steering wheel.

First Care continues to serve the people of the Tuscaloosa Area following the tragic events of April 27, 2011. We are here for you. Wewelcome patients seeking Primary Care in Family Medicine, Urgent Care for acute illnesses and accidents, Weight Loss and Wellness for overall better health, and a variety of other services. Currently, we aretreating a higher number of job-related injuries through our Occupational Medicine Department as well as non work-related injuries through our Family Medicine Department while the people of ourcommunity continue with the clean-up effort. We provide treatment for open wounds, burns, and fractures without the lengthy waiting times of an emergency room. Record-high temperatures complicate the recovery effort and can lead to dehydration or heat exhaustion; First Care administers IV Hydration for extreme cases. We also provide on-site Radiology and Laboratory services.First Care offers a wide-variety of medical services to our patients. We want to be The One You Trust as we rebuild our community.

USEFUL MEDICAL INFORMATION

The Affordable Care Act and The Preventive Services

Friday, January 27, 2012

Care Act and the Preventive Services
By healthfinder.gov

The Affordable Care Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010. Many insurance plans are now required to cover the full cost of important preventive services, like medical tests (screenings) and shots (vaccines).Ask your insurance provider what’s included in your plan. If you have private insurance, yo...

Ready for Annual Sales Tax Holiday

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Annual Sales Tax Holiday
By Charles

Beginning Friday, August 5th and ending Sunday, August 7th, Alabama will hold its 6th annual sales tax holiday giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales or use tax. See a quick reference sheet of exempt items: http://www.ador.state.al.us/salestax/STHolidayQuickRefSheet11.pdf ...

Information about Health Care Insurance That International Students Need to Know

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

ABC of Health Care Insurance
By Xiaochuan Song

Adjusting to life in a new country means excitement, challenge, and the unexpected. No amount of preparation can guarantee a trouble-free transition. There is one area, however, in which you do not want to face the unexpected: medical care for yourself and your family. Arranging and paying for medical care is your responsibility. Because it can b...

Importance of Immunizations

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Importance of Immunizations
By HealthFinder.gov

Immunizations (or vaccinations) are not just for babies and young kids. We all need shots to help protect us from serious diseases and illness. Everyone over age 6 months needs a seasonal flu shot every year. For more information, please go to http://www.health.gov/NHIC/ http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/kidstuff/newscheduler_le/ Here are some ot...

Important information about Medicare

Thursday, June 09, 2011

New policy about Medicare
By Shirley Shirley

As of January 1, 2011, Medicare beneficiaries no longer have to pay a deductible, co-insurance, or co-payment for many preventive services covered by Medicare as well as recommended services newly covered by the program. The annual wellness visit and other recommended services are free of charge, when obtained by a participating health care p...

Natural cures that really work

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Will placing a tea bag on a cold sore make it disappear?
By Liz Welch

(Health.com) -- Will placing a tea bag on a cold sore make it disappear? Can you ease hot flashes with herbs? And does putting yogurt on your nether parts have a prayer of curing a yeast infection?It used to be that you'd hear about these kinds of home remedies from your mom. These days, they're touted on websites, blogs, and online forums. In fact...

New U.S. Dietary Guidelines: What Not to Eat

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Guidelines Call for Less Salt, Fats, and Fast Food
By Daniel J. DeNoon

Jan. 31, 2011 -- For the first time, new U.S. dietary guidelines do more than tell us what's good for us: They spell out how to avoid specific foods and lifestyle choices that make us fat and sick. As a case in point, here's a phrase you'll be hearing a lot: Get off your SoFAS. In addition to getting more exercise, that means to avoid extra ca...

Low Vitamin D Linked to Breast Cancer

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

African-American Women With Low Vitamin D Have Greater Risk of Aggressive Breast Cancer
By Bill Hendrick

Oct. 4, 2010 -- African-American woman have higher rates of vitamin D deficiency associated with aggressive breast cancer than white women, a new study finds.Researchers at the University of South Carolina studied 107 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in the past five years, including 60 African-Americans. Sixty percent of African-Ame...

This Flu Season's Goal Is More Shots, Sooner

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

CDC Officials Urging Public To Get Flu Shot Sooner This Year
By Betsy McKay

Federal health officials are gearing up to persuade more Americans to get vaccinated against the flu this fall, in the aftermath of last year's pandemic that killed thousands nationwide, sickened millions, and frustrated many before petering out. U.S. officials say they're using lessons learned from the H1N1 swine-flu pandemic, which erupted in Apr...