FAQ

Patina is a new primary care medical practice, built specifically for people 65 and up to address the unique needs we all have as we age.

With Patina, you get a dedicated care team that takes the time to know you as a whole person. Your team supports all of your care needs, including primary care, behavioral health, coordination of specialist care and more. We make it easy by taking on the legwork and coming right to you in your home via virtual and in-person visits.

Every Patina patient will have a dedicated care team, including a primary care practitioner (physician or nurse practitioner), a Patina health champion and other specialized resources. The health champion plays a critical role as your “go-to” person for any care-related need. They will help with things like scheduling appointments, navigating and coordinating your care and ensuring that you have everything you need to stay healthy.

Patina comes right to you! We provide care “virtually” via live video, phone and chat and in-person in your home whenever needed. So, whether you’re in your home or traveling, we’ll be right there when you need us. And we’ll help you access a high-quality network of specialists, labs, diagnostic imaging facilities and more.

The Patina model is relationship-based and built specifically for people 65+ to address the unique needs we all have as we age. Your dedicated care team will take the time to know you and stay with you over time, delivering care on your terms, when and where you need it. We come to you so that you don’t have to spend time waiting for appointments, driving to the office, sitting in crowded waiting rooms and seeing a doctor who is too rushed to truly get to know you.

Yes, you will always be able to reach a member of the Patina care team with any questions or concerns. This includes after-hours access to a doctor or nurse practitioner, who you can contact by phone with any questions or issues that shouldn’t wait until the next morning.

Absolutely, in fact we encourage you to include those who support you most! You choose the family members and loved ones who you want to be part of your care team. They can participate in your virtual and in-home visits, receive updates on your health, medications and test results, and even communicate directly with your care team to help support your overall health and well-being.

We’re physically located in an office right outside Philadelphia, but we’ll be coming right to you in your home, virtually and in-person. You never need to come to the office for Patina primary care. Our team is located together, so we can collaborate on your behalf. And whenever you need in-person care, we will visit you right in the safety and comfort of your home.

Patina is part of the Independence Blue Cross (Independence) provider network and is covered by Independence Keystone 65 HMO or Personal Choice 65SM PPO. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Patina will become an in-network primary care provider for people enrolled in Cigna, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans in Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. If you are already a member of one of these plans and live in those counties, simply give the Patina team a call at (855) 478-8310 and we’ll help you get set up as a new patient.

There are no membership fees or extra costs to you for covered benefits. If your plan includes a co-pay or deductible for primary care, you simply continue to pay the same way you always have.

Patina is available as an in-network provider with Independence Blue Cross, and will be expanding to other major Medicare Advantage plans in the Philadelphia Five-County Region beginning 1/1/23. Learn more here.  If you want to access Patina, you will need to be enrolled in one of these Medicare Advantage plans. To enroll in an eligible plan, contact your broker or the plan. If you’re already a member of one of these plans, simply give the Patina team a call at (855) 478-8310 and we’ll help you get set up as a new patient!

Patina is a great option for those who want to limit COVID exposure in a busy doctor’s office. Anyone from Patina who enters your home will be fully vaccinated (including boosters). We adhere to very strict protocols based on the latest CDC guidance. We will be masked and perform a daily self-screening for any symptoms. For more information on our COVID protocols, click here.

Our Primary Care Practitioners can help you manage all of your healthcare needs, including primary care and many chronic or specialty conditions. When you need help from a specialist or require inpatient treatment, we will refer you to doctors that we trust and ensure that your needs are being met so you can focus on life.

We can perform some labs in your home. In addition, we’ll coordinate labs and imaging via our community partners. As an Independence Blue Cross member, covered by Independence Keystone 65 HMO or Personal Choice 65^SM PPO, you have access to the largest network in the Philadelphia region. Your health champion will make the process as convenient as possible — making sure you and your care team review your results and any next steps together.

Your Patina Health Champion is your go-to person for real-time problem-solving, healthcare navigation, care coordination and more. They really get to know you, your family and your specific needs and goals — and can help make sure everything goes smoothly. This includes scheduling appointments, navigating and coordinating care across multiple specialists. They take on the legwork, ensuring that you have everything you need to get and stay healthy.

We want to help you meet your health and aging goals so you can live the life you want. If remaining in your home is an important goal for you, we’ll work with you to identify ways to maintain your independence and ability to manage your day-to-day needs and activities.

At Patina, we recognize the important role that you play in supporting the health and well-being of your family members and loved ones. That’s why Patina makes it easy for you to become a core part of the care team. You can easily join your loved one’s appointments via video and access important updates right on the Patina mobile app.

You’ll also appreciate the support of a dedicated Patina health champion, who takes on the logistics of your loved one’s care. From help with scheduling appointments, communicating across specialists, securing helpful resources and more – our health champions save huge amounts of time and take some of the worry off your shoulders.

For a life-threatening emergency, you should always call 911. For non-life threatening emergencies, call Patina and we will help you get the assistance you need.

There is no limit to the number of visits you have in-home or virtually. We base your care plan on your individual needs. Most Patina patients will have one, annual in-home assessment because most of their regular care needs can be met through virtual visits, phone calls and texts.

Scheduling an appointment — even a same-day appointment — couldn’t be easier. All you need to do is message or call your Patina health champion, who will help take care of anything you need. When you become a patient, you’ll receive a call from your health champion to welcome you to Patina and ensure you know who to call for any need.

As a Patina patient, you have a right to treatments that empower you to live your best possible life. When pain limits your activity, we will do our best to identify the source of your pain and relieve it when possible. Pain that cannot be cured can usually be reduced to allow you to do more of the things that you enjoy.

Your comprehensive pain treatment plan may involve the care of specialists, physical therapy and non-opiate medications. Most patients are able to improve their function without opiate medications.

Opiate medications are one of many medications used for pain. While opiate medications can be helpful in some cases, we know opiate medications can also be harmful, intensify pain and limit function. At Patina, opiates are not routinely used for chronic pain. For acute pain, such as after a surgery, opiates may be indicated. They will always be prescribed for the shortest duration possible, at the lowest effective dose, with prescribing safeguards to keep you as safe as possible and limit risk of addiction. Patina operates in strict compliance with all state and federal laws.

No, all you need is access to a phone and a computer with Internet connection. We’ll walk you through the steps to download our mobile app and help you get set-up, so you can easily access your Patina care team through video, phone and messaging. If you prefer, you can also access us using a regular phone.

Once you’re a patient, you can simply download the Patina mobile app from the App Store or Google Play. It works on both iPhone and Android. If you need help, we’ll walk you through it step by step. After you’re all set up, you can use the app to access your Patina care team, appointments and other important information.