Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the questions our patients ask most. If you do not see yours, give us a call.
We accept most major medical health insurance policies, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, Federal Blue Cross, Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans (BlueAdvantage, Cigna HealthSpring, Humana Advantage, United Advantage, Aetna), TriCare, Cigna, and Aetna, as well as policies issued under the Affordable Care Act. If you have a question about your specific plan, please call our office and we will be glad to help.
It is best to call ahead and schedule an appointment. We ask new patients to arrive at least 15 minutes early to complete a brief information form before being seen. Please bring a photo ID, your insurance card, a list of any current medications, and the name and contact information for any specialists you have seen recently.
We can treat minor emergencies and injuries during normal business hours. For major emergencies or situations that arise outside of our hours, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room. If you are facing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately.
We make every effort to treat all patients who visit our office. Scheduling an appointment is still recommended. Same-day appointments for established patients are usually available by calling our office early in the morning.
We recommend a yearly physical examination for all patients, especially those age 50 and older. Patients with a diagnosed medical condition or who take prescription medication on a regular basis should be seen every three to six months, or as directed by Dr. Crider.
We continue to care for patients with respiratory illness. Please call before arriving if you have symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath, or if you have had a known exposure. We will advise you on the safest way to be seen and can answer many questions by phone.
Established patients may be able to request refills for ongoing prescriptions by calling our office. However, certain medications require an in-person visit before a refill can be authorized. Please call us at least a few days before you run out so we have time to process your request.
Yes. Dr. Crider practices family medicine, which means we care for patients of all ages, from young children through adults and seniors. We welcome the whole family and can often schedule family members together for their appointments.
You can request a copy of your medical records by contacting our office. Records requests typically require a signed release form and are processed within a few business days. For convenient online access to your visit summaries, lab results, and messages, you can use the FollowMyHealth patient portal.
FollowMyHealth is a free, secure online portal that lets you view your health records, lab results, visit notes, and medications from any device. You can also send messages to our office, request prescription refills, and manage your health information in one place. Ask our staff for an enrollment invitation on your next visit.
Yes. Our clinic can perform many common laboratory tests and basic diagnostic procedures during your visit, which saves you a separate trip to an outside lab. More specialized tests may be sent to an outside laboratory and results are typically available within a few business days.
If Dr. Crider determines that you need specialized care, our office will provide a referral to an appropriate specialist. Please let us know if your insurance requires a referral authorization before you see a specialist, and we will coordinate that for you. In some cases, we can recommend specialists in the local area.
We offer a range of immunizations including annual flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, shingles vaccines, tetanus and tdap boosters, and other routine adult immunizations. Please call our office to confirm current availability and to schedule a vaccination appointment.
Yes. Managing chronic conditions is a core part of family medicine. Dr. Crider works with patients to manage conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, arthritis, and more. Regular follow-up visits, medication management, and lifestyle guidance are all part of the care plan.
We ask that you call at least 24 hours in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows us to offer that time to another patient. Repeated no-shows without notice may affect your ability to schedule future appointments. We understand that emergencies happen and are always happy to work with you.
Family Medical Clinic is located at 1170 North Main Street, Arab, Alabama 35016. There is convenient parking available directly in front of the office. If you need directions, please call our office at (256) 586-4127 and we will be glad to help.