Tag Archives: internal medicine fort myers

10.19.16
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Learn About Concierge Plans

Looking for quality time with your doctor to discuss medical issues? When you have a direct relationship with your doctor, he or she is in tune with your needs. This relationship is possible when you go to a concierge doctor.  Concierge services, like those provided by myself, Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness of Fort Myers, offer patients personalized and unlimited access to the doctor. In my practice, I offer four different concierge memberships: basic, gold, premier, and platinum. Below, I will discuss the details of each plan, as well as the benefits of signing up for a concierge health plan.

Basic – The Basic concierge health plan is for patients ages 16 to 50 years old and costs $49 per month with a one-time enrollment fee of $150. With this service, the patient receives:

  • 3 office visits per year including a full physical examination annually.
  • Annual physical and comprehensive lab profile (this alone retails for more than 150 dollars).
  • Same day appointments one established.
  • Online access to medical records/results via a patient portal (private e-mail attached to your chart).
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the e-mail portal
  • Free after hour phone consults- my normal after hours call fee is waived for members.
  • Additional labs at highly discounted rates.
  • Annual seasonal flu vaccine.
  • Tetanus booster if indicated.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan) annually.
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Gold – The Gold concierge health plan is for patients ages 50 to 65 years old and costs $89 per month with a one-time enrollment fee of $150. With this service, the patient receives:

  • Unlimited office visits.
  • Annual physical and comprehensive lab profile.
  • Same day appointments once established.
  • Online access to medical records/results via the patient e-mail portal.
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the patient e-mail portal.
  • Free after hour phone consults.
  • Additional labs at highly discounted rates.
  • Annual seasonal flu vaccine.
  • Vaccine boosters when needed – tetanus, Tdap.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan).
  • Hospital Advocacy (Premier Inpatient Advocate Service™) available at an hourly rate
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Premier – $1,750 per year with no enrollment fee. This product is open to anyone interested and features the unique Inpatient Advocate Service™ Program. Dr. Kordonowy requires that all Medicare patients join the practice as Premier members. This membership plan is payment in exchange for services not covered by Medicare. With this service, the patient receives:

  • 24/7 direct phone access to Dr. Kordonowy’s private cell phone.
  • Same day appointments for established patients.
  • Online access to medical records/results.
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the e-mail portal.
  • Free after hour phone consults.
  • Concierge services not covered by Medicare.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan).
  • Hospital Advocacy (Premier Inpatient Advocate Service™) -unlimited hours and 7 days a week visits while in the hospital. I have privileges at Health Park, Gulf Coast and Lee Downtown.
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Platinum – The Platinum concierge health plan is patients 16+ and costs $2,500 per year with no enrollment fee. With this service, the patient receives:

  • 24/7 direct phone access to Dr. Kordonowy’s private cell phone.
  • Same day appointments.
  • Unlimited office visits.
  • Annual physical and comprehensive lab profile.
  • Same day appointments.
  • Annual seasonal flu vaccine.
  • Vaccine boosters when needed.
  • Online access to medical records/results via the e-mail portal.
  • Online messaging with Dr. Kordonowy and nurses via the email portal.
  • Free after hour phone consults.
  • Cardiovascular stress test annually.
  • Advanced lipoprotein testing at highly discounted rates.
  • Concierge services not covered by Medicare
  • Three dietitian visits.
  • Body fat analysis.
  • Antioxidant score (biophotonic scan).
  • Hospital Advocacy (Premier Inpatient Advocate Service™) -unlimited hours with 7 day a week visits while in the hospital.
  • My Remote monitoring dashboard

Concierge plans and doctors provide a more comprehensive level of care to the patient. A concierge contract puts the patient back in charge of their care instead of insurance or government interference.  Spending the right amount of time with the patient while offer a high level of accessibility and service is the goal.  With more time and access to a doctor, a patient is able to fully and thoroughly discus symptoms, ask questions and discuss their issues and concerns. A long term relationship with your doctor allows them to understand the patient’s history, know “total person” and thus limit health risks from unnecessary testing and referrals.

If you’re looking for a high level of service from your doctor, a concierge doctor, like Dr. Kordonowy, may be right for you.  Concierge memberships are limited. To book a consult with Dr. Kordonowy or to discuss selecting a plan, call 239-363-3005, ext. 200 or click here.

08.31.16
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The Benefits of Using Sunscreen

Florida is the Sunshine State, but with that comes a lot exposure to the sun. Floridians, snowbirds, and tourists love the state for its sunshine and warm weather. However, too much sun exposure can be dangerous. Overexposure to the sun creates oxidative radicals in a person’s skin tissue. The result? Premature wrinkles and aging of the skin, painful sunburns, and skin cancer. Below, I will discuss the importance of safety in the sun, which includes using sunscreen.

Living in a sunny climate places a person at a higher risk of developing melanoma. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. In 2015, it was estimated 73,000 Americans were to be diagnosed with melanoma.  Long sun exposure and a few sunburns in your lifetime increases your risk of developing melanoma.

The sunlight contains ultraviolet rays,  UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA rays are emitted all day and are the ones that contribute to skin cancer; UVB rays are the most intense from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – these rays are the ones that are known to cause sunburns; and UVC rays do not reach the Earth’s surface.

Regardless of your complexion, it is recommended to wear sunscreen if prolonged exposure to the sun is anticipated. Cancer doesn’t discriminate based on skin shade, so protecting yourself from the sun’s rays is critical.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone uses sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Topical sunscreens offer a physical barrier/blocker of the sun’s UV radiation. The strength of protection of SPF 30 or higher is endorsed. Using the Biophotonic™ Scan offered in Dr. Kordonowy’s office, the amount of protective antioxidants derived from your vegetables and fruit in your skin can be measured.

It’s good to use sunscreen on a cloudy day, up to 8 percent of the sun’s rays can still penetrate your skin. Sunscreen should be applied to skin 15-30 minutes before heading outdoors, so the skin can absorb it. One ounce of sunscreen is the suggested amount to use over the body. Sunscreen should be applied  every two hours.

People have written about sunscreen not being safe for a person’s skin because of certain chemicals, but is it believed the benefits that sunscreen provides (preventing sunburn and skin cancer) beats out the not-yet proven claims of toxicity on the body. No one has died yet from sunscreen chemicals, but many people die each year from melanoma.

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their life. With high odds, it’s in your best interest to protect yourself from developing this type of cancer. If you have any concerns  or looking for a doctor in the area, contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness in Fort Myers by clicking here or calling 239-362-3005, Ext. 200.