Centra, Centra Medical Group

Altavista Medical Center

Altavista Medical Center is part of the Centra Medical Group and our dedicated physicians provide comprehensive medical care for everyone in your family. Our mission is to provide the community with access to quality care to improve the overall wellness and lifestyle of each of our patients.

APPOINTMENTS

Appointments are required for routine medical care such as physicals and wellness visits. This minimizes waiting and increases our efficiency. When you call for an appointment, tell us the reason for your visit and the name of your primary physician so we can schedule you appropriately. If you cannot keep an appointment, please call our receptionist 24 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment.

Walk-ins are welcome and we make our best effort to promptly care for patients who are sick. However, we encourage patients to call before coming to the office, and we will give priority to those who call unless there is an emergency.

In an emergency, please call before arriving, if possible. Let a staff member know as soon as you arrive. Emergency patients always receive priority. All patients under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at the time of treatment, unless prior arrangements are made.

NEW PATIENTS

Due to the amount of time it takes to do an initial assessment, new patients are seen for the first time by appointment only. We request that all new patients bring the following:

• All current medications
• A completed new patient packet, which is mailed to you prior to your appointment date
• A photo ID
• All current insurance cards
• Any beneficial previous medical records

Parents should bring their children's immunization records as well. All patients under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at the time of treatment, unless prior arrangements are made.

FEES

Co-payments, deductibles and any other self-payment balances are due at the time of service. If you have a medical emergency and cannot pay, we request that you talk with our patient account specialist to work out payment arrangements. When calling our office about your bill, please ask to speak with our patient account specialist.

INSURANCE

In order to create and file insurance claims, you must provide the office with complete and accurate insurance policy information, along with presenting the card(s) to our office upon receiving them. Although we will gladly file your claims to your insurance company, you are ultimately responsible for any unpaid or denied amounts that your insurance company has determined to be patient responsibility.

TELEPHONE CALLS

Calls received during office hours will be directed to leave a message and a physician or nurse will return your call within 24 hours. If you are calling with an emergency, such as an adverse reaction to a medication or treatment received, please indicate so to our receptionist and a nurse will promptly return your call.

MEDICATION AND PRESCRIPTION REFILLS

Contact your pharmacy to request your prescription(s) to be refilled, the pharmacy will then submit a request to our office. If your prescription requires physician approval, you must make a request for a refill BEFORE your prescription runs out. We cannot guarantee refills on prescriptions and your physician may also request that you be seen by appointment before a prescription can be refilled. We do require a 48 hour notice on non-emergent refills.

EMERGENCIES

We are not able to provide after-hours care to anyone other than our patients, except for extreme emergencies. In case of a life-threatening emergency and you cannot contact a physician immediately, go directly to the emergency department, or call 9-1-1.

Should an emergency arise during office hours, go directly to the emergency department or call 9-1-1.

Altavista Medical Center Services

• Acute Gynecological Issues
• Annual Physicals
• Annual Well Women Exam
• EKG Test
• Exercise and Obesity Counseling
• Infant Care
• Laceration Repair
• On-site laboratory
• PAP Tests
• Preventive and Routine Services
• Removal of Minor Lesions, Skin Tags, Moles and Warts
• Sports Physicals
• Vaccinations (a participant of Virginia Vaccines for Children)

Altavista Medical Center Physicians

Francis C. Carter, M.D.

Born in Charlottesville and raised in Nelson County, Dr. Carter graduated from the University of Virginia Medical School and completed his residency training in family medicine at Centra Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency. Married for 27 years to Virginia, the Carters have one daughter, Leighton. When not at the office, Dr. Carter enjoys gardening, reading and mountain hiking.

Nicole Scanlon-Rowlett, M.D.

Raised in Virginia Beach, Dr. Scanlon-Rowlett received her undergraduate degree from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg. She earned her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk and completed her residency training in family medicine at Centra Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency. She has been married for four years to Douglas. Dr. Scanlon-Rowlett  has two stepsons. When not working, she enjoys gardening, cooking and reading fiction.