Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a lot of questions?

We have a lot of answers! 

Check out some of our most commonly asked questions below.

Click on each of the questions to get more information about that particular topic.

 

Use the section links here to skip ahead.

Questions About Taylor Street Primary Care Clinic

Click here to schedule online or call 313-486-5501 to make your appointment.  Please have your current insurance information handy when you schedule your appointment. Fill out the necessary registration forms and bring them with you to your appointment.  If you do not have insurance, we may be able to assist you with resources so that you can obtain insurance. Plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment. Bring a government ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and your insurance card (or a copy front and back).

Yes. Taylor Street Primary Care Clinic is a full-service primary care clinic serving patients of all ages in the Virginia Park and surrounding Detroit community.

Our Forms are available online and at the clinic. If you have time and a computer at home, please fill them out on your computer, print them, and bring to your appointment. This will help expedite your appointment.


We always have paper copies available at the clinic. Please make sure your writing is legible. Any unreadable forms will need to be filled out again. Please make sure you sign and date all required sections.

We understand that you may be running late from time-to-time. If you are running late, please call us as soon as you know you will be late, so we can plan accordingly.


Patients who have not called and are not present within 10 minutes of their appointment time, may get a $15.00 administrative fee and their appointment will be cancelled. See our Late Fee Policy for more information.

If you have a concern or complaint you’d like to report, you can ask if the Clinic Manager or another supervisor is available. If the appropriate person is not available at that time, please leave your name, phone number, and email so that you can be contacted. We take concerns seriously and want to ensure your concern is heard and addressed appropriately.
As a courtesy to our staff and other patients, we ask that if you are unable to make your appointment, you call to cancel at least one hour before your scheduled appointment time. Failure to notify the clinic, and/or missing appointments, could result in a fee. See policy.
You can make an appointment 2 months in advance.

We understand there are times that an illness can occur suddenly. We have some designated same day appointments available based on the urgency of the illness.

 

Additionally, we may have some appointments available depending on the day’s schedule. We urge you to phone the clinic as soon possible to get an appointment time that will fit your schedule.

We recommend calling ahead for a same day appointment, however exceptions are made for urgent health concerns. Our staff will ask questions to determine the urgency of your health needs, and you will be seen accordingly.

Taylor Street Primary Care Clinic is a full service primary care clinic. Please review our Services in detail to see the specific services that we offer.

We have a list of Emergency Rooms and urgent care facilities so that you can find care very close after hours or on the weekends.
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross BlueShield (excluding Blue Cross Complete & Blue Care Network)
  • Cofinity
  • Medicare
  • Medicare Plus Blue
  • Meridian
  • Molina
  • John Smart Plan (Tier 2)
  • Spenddown
  • Straight Medicaid
  • Tricare
  • United Health Care

Not to worry! We are more than happy to help you understand which services are covered by your plan and provide more information about insurance and billing.
We will assist with obtaining insurance coverage for you and your family and identify available resources to help offset healthcare costs.


If we are not in-network with your insurance, please talk to the Front Office Coordinators for more information.

For any questions regarding your bill, please call 313-486-5501.

 

A bill from Taylor Street Primary Care Clinic will have the heading “Nursing Practice Corporation” at the top. If the letter is from your insurance company, it is not a bill. Letters from your insurance company are explanation of benefits (EOB), which explains what the insurance paid.

Yes. We will attempt to bill your insurance for payment. Any charges not paid by your insurance are your responsibility and payment is expected.

We accept Cash, Debit, and Credit Card payments (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express). Sorry, but we do not accept checks in the clinic at this time.

Still have questions? Contact Us.

Questions about Disease Information

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in humans
and certain animal species. The novel coronavirus disease 2019, also called COVID-19, is caused by the virus known as SARS-CoV-2. It is a type of coronavirus that was first identified in China in December 2019.

The coronavirus outbreak is a significant health concern around the world, and we are committed to ensuring the safety and health of the entire Detroit community.

Fever, dry cough and/or shortness of breath are the most common symptoms of the virus. Other symptoms include fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of smell or taste, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

Although there is still much to learn about how COVID-19 spreads, it appears to spread the same way the flu does: from one infected person to another. That means through the air by coughing or sneezing; close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; and touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

  • Wear a cloth face covering over your nose and mouth whenever in a public space
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 30 seconds
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, railings, countertops, remote controls, cabinet handles and light switches
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes with unwashed hands
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home from school or work if you are sick and contact your primary doctor or the Campus Health Center (313-577-5041)
  • Don’t travel when you are sick

Please visit the CDC website for the most up-to-date travel restrictions.

Scientists are hard at work trying to develop an effective vaccine to prevent the disease, but realistically a vaccine is probably several months away. There is no current cure for coronavirus, only symptom management.

CDC now recommends everyone cover their nose and mouth with a cloth mask (NOT a mask meant for health care professionals, like an N-95 mask) when in a public setting. Please remember to continue 6 feet social distancing even when wearing a mask.

For more information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

The virus that causes COVID-19 is infecting people and spreading easily from person to person. Cases have been detected in most countries worldwide and community spread is being detected in a growing number of countries. On March 11, the COVID-19 outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the CDC website.

The number of cases in MI is changing daily. For the latest information: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus

If you are exhibiting symptoms, for your safety and the safety of others, do not walk in to any primary care office or ER unannounced. Please call us at 313-486-5501 and we will discuss next steps with you, which may include coming in for an assessment, or a tele-health (phone) or tele-medicine (video) appointment.

Zika is a disease caused by Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.

About one in five people infected with Zika virus will have symptoms. This means 80% of people do not even know they are infected! The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon, and people rarely die.

Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, the same mosquitoes that spread Chikungunya and dengue. These mosquitoes are aggressive daytime biters and they can also bite at night.

The Zika Virus is now believed to also be spread sexually. There is not much known yet about the sexual transmission of the virus, so anyone who has travelled to a high risk/infected area, is strongly advised to wear condoms 100% of the time with ALL sexual contact to avoid spreading this virus to others.

Anyone who lives in or travels to an area where Zika virus is found and has not already been infected with Zika virus can get it from mosquito bites.

As of February 1, 2016, local transmission has been identified in at least 25 countries or territories in the Americas, including Puerto Rico. Currently, outbreaks are occurring in many countries. Zika virus will continue to spread and it will be difficult to determine how the virus will spread over time.

If traveling, please visit the CDC Travelers’ Health site for the most updated travel information.

As of February 2, 2016, one case of locally acquired and sexually transmitted Zika virus infection was confirmed in a patient in Texas.

Cases of the Zika Virus have been reported in returning travelers. Locally transmitted Zika virus has been reported in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and America Samoa.

With the recent outbreaks, the number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States will likely increase. These imported cases could result in local spread of the virus in some areas of the United States.

If traveling, please visit the CDC Travelers’ Health site for the most updated travel information.

Ultimately, you need to decide whether or not you want to travel to an area with reported cases of the Zika Virus or high risk areas. When traveling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes are found, take the following steps:

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside.

Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective.

Always follow the product label instructions.

Reapply insect repellent as directed.

Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.

If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.

Until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant:

Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who do travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip.

Women trying to become pregnant or who are thinking about becoming pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip.

Because specific areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing are difficult to determine and likely to change over time, CDC will update this travel notice as information becomes available. Check CDC’s Zika Travel Information website frequently for the most up-to-date recommendations.

In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes.

For more information about the Zika Virus and pregnancy, please visit the CDC website.

There is no vaccine or specific medicine to treat Zika virus infections.

Treat the symptoms:

Get plenty of rest.

Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.

Take medicine such as acetaminophen to reduce fever and pain.

Do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you are taking medicine for another medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before taking additional medication.

No. There is no vaccine to prevent infection or medicine to treat Zika.

See your healthcare provider if you travelled (this includes if you are pregnant) and develop a fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks after traveling to a country where Zika virus cases have been reported. Be sure to tell your health care provider where you traveled.

Treat the symptoms:

Get plenty of rest.

Drink fluids to prevent dehydration.

Take medicine such as acetaminophen to reduce fever and pain.

Do not take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Protect others: During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another person through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people. To help prevent others from getting sick, avoid mosquito bites during the first week of illness.

See your healthcare provider if you are pregnant and develop a fever, rash, joint pain, or red eyes within 2 weeks after traveling to a place where Zika has been reported. Be sure to tell your health care provider where you traveled.

The Zika Virus is now believed to also be spread sexually. There is not much known yet about the sexual transmission of the virus, so anyone who has traveled to a high risk/infected area, is strongly advised to always wear condoms to avoid spreading this virus to others.

No. Outbreaks of Zika previously have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Zika virus likely will continue to spread to new areas. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. Since that time, local transmission has been reported in many other countries and territories.

Still have questions? Contact Us.

Questions about Nurse Practitioner Care

NPs can assess patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, and initiate and manage treatment plans – including prescribing medications. They provide primary, acute and specialty healthcare to patients of all ages and walks of life, and have been doing so for nearly half a century.

Take a look at this very interesting nurse practitioner infographic, developed by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

NPs undergo rigorous national certification, periodic peer review, clinical outcome evaluations, and adhere to a code for ethical practices. NPs lead and participate in both professional and lay health care forums, conduct research and apply findings to clinical practice. To learn more about NP qualifications, please visit: American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

All NPs must complete a master’s or doctoral degree program, and have advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse preparation. Didactic and clinical courses prepare nurses with specialized knowledge and clinical competency to practice in primary care, acute care and long-term health care settings. To learn more please visit: American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

The first NPs were educated at the University of Colorado in 1965 and programs soon spread across the U.S. As of January 2015, there are approximately 205,000 licensed NPs. Close to 15,000 new NPs are prepared each year at over 325 colleges and universities.

NPs are licensed in all states and the District of Columbia, and practice under the rules and regulations of the state in which they are licensed.

NPs work in most health care settings across the United States, including clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care sites, private physician or NP practices, nursing homes, schools, colleges, and public health departments.

Autonomously and in collaboration with health care professionals and other individuals, NPs provide a full range of primary, acute and specialty health care services, including:

  • Ordering, performing and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work and x-rays.
  • Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, infections, and injuries.
  • Prescribing medications and other treatments.
  • Managing patients’ overall care.
  • Counseling.
  • Educating patients on disease prevention and positive health and lifestyle choices.

To learn more about exactly what NPs do, please visit: American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

No. Doctors and NPs are different, and both professions undergo different educational requirements and training. However, there is often overlap between what a doctor can do and what a NP can do.

With a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and health education and counseling, NPs guide patients in making smarter health and lifestyle choices, which in turn can lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs.

Yes. Most NPs have the ability to prescribe medications and perform other diagnostic tests.

Still have questions? Contact Us.