Patient Care Overview

Family Medical Center, P.C., is deeply committed to providing you and your family with only the best health care services, and we’ve been doing so for over 40 years. If you still have questions or concerns after reviewing the information provided here, please contact us.

Make an Appointment
A Little History
Patient Care and FAQs
Hide Questions
Billing FAQs
Hide Questions
Downloadable Patient Forms
Medical Privacy Notice

Make an Appointment

Hours: Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

General Appointments: Call 672-2571 for appointments. We’ll make every effort possible to schedule your appointment with the doctor you prefer. For annual exams, calling well in advance will allow us to help meet your requested time schedule.

Kids’ Clinic: The Kids’ Clinic is offered on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 8 to 9 a.m. No appointment is needed. If your child is not feeling well, the Kids’ Clinic provides an opportunity for you to have them examined before going to school or daycare.

Emergencies: There is a physician on call each day to handle emergencies during regular office hours. Urgent medical care will be given precedence over less threatening medical situations. If possible, please call Family Medical Center (672-2571) before coming to the clinic. In critical situations, never hesitate to call 911.

A Little History

Family Medical Center: 40 Years of Growth and Continuous Care

Founding Doctors
The foundation of family medical services in Mahaska County was established by Drs. Robert Collison, Sidney Smith, and N.L. Saxton in 1966 when Family Medical Center began serving Oskaloosa and the surrounding area. Forty years later, Family Medical Center, P.C. continues to evolve, meeting the growing medical needs of the community.

In 1966 when construction of the east portion of the old C Avenue clinic building was completed, only Drs. Collison, Smith and Saxton occupied the building. The building provided adequate exam room and office space until the early 70s when growth generated ideas of building expansion.

In 1970 Dr. Argo (retired) began practicing at the clinic. Dr. Mike Collison (relocated) and Dr. Allan Peterson joined the group in 1974. When the west addition was completed in 1977, Dr. Tony Kunz joined the group. Dr. Hart became a member of the group in 1980, Kim Nikkel, P.A. in 1985, Dr. Ed Hirl and Dr. Stephen Mineart in 1986 and 1987 and more remodeling took place in 1988. And the growth continued.

More Growth, New Location
A move was made in 2003 from C Avenue East to 412 North 12th Street where the clinic is today. It is still a private clinic but the location is larger, all on one level, and provides a one-stop medical service option for patients. Family Medical Center now has eight doctors and one Physicians Assistant, all Board Certified. Visit our Doctors page for the list of doctors and their current scopes of practice.

One-Stop Medical Service
A patient is able to be cared for throughout his or her lifetime by a doctor knowledgeable in all areas of medicine. This continuity even extends to managing care of a patient when consultation with a specialist is needed.

Family Medical Center has a laboratory which can do many medical tests in-house including thyroid and PSA testing. Patients can see their doctor, get their tests done, and have the results all within the same day. There's also in-house x-ray available, and a small emergency (acute) room. A Kids’ Clinic was added in 2004 which provides peace of mind to parents and child-care givers. Children can be seen by a doctor between 8 and 9 a.m., before taking them to daycare or school. No appointment is needed during that hour; walk-ins and new patients are welcome.

Growth Continues

Since its founding more than 40 years ago, Family Medical Center has been focused on providing the finest health care possible to Oskaloosa, Mahaska County and the surrounding communities. Constant attention is always given to patient care while continuing to assess the community's medical needs. Family Medical Center is here to stay.

Patient Care and FAQs

What is family practice? Family Practice is a specialty area of medicine that is designed to provide continuing, comprehensive care to patients and families. Back to top
Are Family Medical Center’s doctors certified? Yes! Family Medical Center’s eight doctors are all certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. Kim Nikkel, P.A., is certified by the National Commission for Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Back to top
Is Family Medical Center accepting new patients? Yes, we always accept new patients. Back to top
I’m new in town. How do I get my medical records transferred to Family Medical Center? You can give us a call and we’ll provide the steps you need to go through to get your records transferred from your previous doctor to our clinic. There is also a form on this web site on the “Downloadable Patient Forms” link which you can print, fill out, and mail to your previous physician to get your records transferred to us. Back to top
Does Family Medical Center offer OB GYN care? What other services are offered? Yes we provide obstetrical care and a host of other medical services. We invite you to view our Medical Services page for a comprehensive list. You can always call us if you have specific service questions. Back to top
Will my baby have the same doctor as I have? Choosing a doctor for your prenatal care and delivery as well as the care of your newborn is an important decision. The well-being of you and your baby are interrelated. And only one doctor, the Family Physician, is trained and qualified to care for both you and your baby. Unlike other specialists, Family Physicians are trained in every major medical area. That includes obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics. One doctor for mother and baby is better for both of you and we can meet that request. Back to top
What information is needed on my first visit to Family Medical Center? As a new patient we’ll need contact information and information about any health insurance you may have. New patients will need to register this and other information before seeing their doctor and are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes prior to their first appointment. However, you can also download and print a form which will speed things up when you arrive for your appointment. Back to top
I want to see the same doctor each time I visit. Is that possible? Family Medical Center has implemented some positive changes with the patient in mind. We are reserving times each day for same day appointments. When possible we want you to see the provider you prefer to see. So when you call to make an appointment, please let us know your preference. We are listening. Back to top
I would like to call and ask my doctor a question; is that possible? We want you to call when you have questions, but, at times, transmission of messages by our nurses or medical assistants can enable us to take care of your needs more rapidly than if doctors personally handled each phone call. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a call back from your doctor, but we hope you understand when we can’t put your call through to your doctor. Remember, most illnesses cannot be treated by phone unless the doctor has recently evaluated your condition. Back to top
I have a problem with service I received. What should I do? We believe that you should know as much about your health as possible. It is important that you feel free to ask questions. It is also your privilege, duty, and responsibility to learn about your body and your health and assume as much responsibility as is reasonable for its care. It is our responsibility to be receptive to your questions. If you feel there is a problem with services we provide to you and your family, please tell us – it’s one of the ways we can develop a better, more effective health care facility.

Billing FAQs

When do I pay for my doctor visit? Accounts including insurance co-pays are expected to be paid at the time of services unless other arrangements have been made. Back to top
Why did I receive more than one bill for the same day of service? There may be services other than seeing a doctor which are billed separately and/or submitted to an insurance carrier and then billed at another time. Anytime you have questions, please call the Business Office at Family Medical Center. Back to top
Family Medical Center participates with what insurance plans? Family Medical Center participates in several different insurance plans. To see a list of participating plans, visit our Health Plans/Insurance page. If you don’t see your plan please call us and we’ll be happy to assist you. Back to top
Does Family Medical Center handle all insurance claims for me? Yes, Family Medical Center will handle all your insurance claims including Medicare, Title XIX, and all other private insurance (provided we have a signed authorization for you and a copy of your insurance cards). Even though a claim is being processed with your insurance company, you are responsible for the bill until it is paid. Back to top
What should I do if I change insurance carriers? If you change insurance carriers, please notify Family Medical Center as soon as possible. To help with this process, you can download a Patient Information Form which you can print and fill out and bring to us at your earliest convenience. Back to top
What is deductible? Coinsurance? A co-payment? Insurance plans generally have deductibles, co-pays, and/or coinsurances.

A “deductible” is an annual expense you must pay before your insurance benefits can begin. This amount can vary based on the place of services.
“Coinsurance” is the portion of the total bill that is the patient’s or guarantor’s responsibility to pay.
“Co-pay” is a set amount paid each visit based on your insurance policy. This usually does not count towards your deductible. Back to top

Who should I call if I have a billing question? For billing and insurance questions, call the business office, 673-6762. Back to top
What do I do if I can’t pay my bill? As a patient, you are financially responsible for services rendered by our staff. Accounts are expected to be paid at the time of service. Please contact the Business Office (673-6762) to make different arrangements if this will cause a financial difficulty for you and your family. Back to top
What happens if I have a balance on my account? Statements on accounts with balances are mailed on a monthly basis. If an account has a balance older than 90 days from the day of service, a finance charge is applied. Please contact the Business Office for specific information relating to your account. Back to top
Can I use a credit or debit card to pay for my doctor visit? Yes, Family Medical Center accepts MasterCard, Visa, and Discover credit cards. We also accept debit cards with Visa and MasterCard logos and Flex spending cards.

Downloadable Patient Forms

The following forms are provided as a convenience for new and existing patients of Family Medical Center. Each is provided as a PDF, and you must have the plug-in Acrobat Reader to view and print the files. These forms are also available at our clinic.

Registering as a New Patient
If you are a new patient and already have an appointment at Family Medical Center, you can save time by filling out our patient information form ahead of time. Just open and print the file, fill out the form, and bring it with you. If you’d rather not print or fill out this form in advance, please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to register as a new patient. Remember to bring your health insurance card.

Transfer Medical Records
If you are new to the area and need to have your medical records transferred to Family Medical Center, you can download our consent form, fill it out, and then mail to your former physician. This form is also available at Family Medical Center. Please feel free to call the main office number should you have any questions.

Updating Existing Patient Information
We realize information we require periodically changes due to new addresses, phone numbers, new employment, or different insurance carriers. The patient information form will help provide Family Medical Center current information when you and your family experience these types of changes.

Medical Privacy Notice

This privacy notice is provided to you as a summary of how we will use your Protected Information and your rights with respect to your Protected Information. If you have more questions, please contact Family Medical Center and ask for the Business Office.