We are now introducing the Healthy Weigh Now Loss Clinic

The Healthy Weigh Now is a medically supervised, low carbohydrate, gluten-free diet plan that helps clients lose 2-5 pounds of fat per week.

When clients reach their goal weight, our coaches guide them through a specific transition period into a dedicated maintenance phase. This helps clients maintain their healthy weight.

COVID Testing, Treatment & Vaccines

COVID-19 Testing & Treatment

If you are currently ill with COVID, have COVID symptoms please schedule a virtual visit ASAP or do a virtual visit on demand. We have same day COVID PCR testing available for our patients *by appointment only.* If you need a COVID test after exposure or for travel, please call the office and we can help you schedule.

Please see this recently updated link from the CDC on isolation with illness and quarantine after exposure. 

There are several treatments authorized for COVID-19 for individuals who are at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 as defined by the CDC. An appointment is required for a prescription and our providers are following the CDC guidelines for identifying high risk patients who may benefit from treatment. The treatments include Paxlovid (oral), Remdesivir (IV) or Molnupiravir (oral). Your provider can discuss with you the treatment options and if you may qualify and/or benefit. The medications are all under Emergency Use Authorization status at this time.

COVID-19 Vaccine

**RIMG is offering the MODERNA COVID-19 vaccines only**

When: During your regularly scheduled appointments or you can obtain at your local pharmacy.

Where: Main Office: 1201 Seven Locks Road Suite 111

 

Please complete the pre-vaccination checklist below and bring to your vaccine appointment.

Do I need another Booster Vaccine?

Following the FDA approval, CDC now recommends one updated bilavent booster

  • People ages 12 years and older are recommended to receive one updated Pfizer or Moderna (bivalent) booster. 
  • Ideally at least 2 months since any last booster AND/OR at least 3 months since a COVID infection.

Can I get the COVID and other vaccines together?

YES! Current guidance for the use of COVID-19 vaccines states that these vaccines may be administered with other vaccines including the flu vaccine.

Where else can I get the Vaccine?

The vaccines are readily available at local pharmacies.

Should you get the COVID-19 vaccine?

RIMG strongly recommends that anyone eligible should get any COVID-19 vaccine when available to them. 

Doing your part by getting vaccinated will help with possible COVID variants and reemergence of disease.

What do the COVID-19 tests detect?

PCR (Nasal Swab): This test will detect if you are actively infected with the COVID-19 virus. We have a Same-Day PCR test available

Serum Antibody (Blood Test): This test will detect if you have had prior exposure to COVID-19 and/or have built an antibody for the virus from a vaccine. For most viral illnesses, a positive antibody means prior exposure to a virus and some degree of immunity to future infection. As COVID-19 is a novel (new) infection, it is unclear if a positive antibody definitively offers immunity and is not recommended as a screening test for immunity by the CDC. Despite a positive antibody test, the recommendation is to still practice universal precautions.

*Please note, that the FDA is advising against the use of SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests to evaluate immunity from Covid-19 after vaccination.*

What testing do I need?

PCR Nasal swab:

  • If you are actively experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea
  •  Asymptomatic travel
  • After COVID-19 exposure

Serum Antibody (Blood Test): 

  • If you previously had COVID-19 symptoms (Fever, persistent cough, shortness of breath, body aches) and have recovered after 14 days.
  • If you received a positive test result for COVID-19 and have recovered after 14 days.

How are these tests administered?

PCR  (Nasal Swab): Administered via a nasal swab. Schedule a virtual visit with one of our providers for testing. An order is required. 

PCR testing is being completed at:

  • Suite 216: Drive to the back of our building and park near the black ramp. 
    • *By appointment only* 
    •  There is no access to SUITE 216 through the front of the building
    • Please come at your designated appointment time

Serum Antibody Blood Test: Blood sample taken at a lab. An order is required. 

How long will it take to receive my results and how do I view them?

PCR (Nasal Swab): Your results can be viewed via your patient portal account and you will receive an email/text notification once they are available.  If you prefer a phone call with your results, please let your provider know

Serum Antibody Blood Test: Generally, it will take about 2 days to receive your antibody results. Your results can be viewed via your patient portal account and you will receive an email/text notification once they are available. 

What platform do you use for testing?

Same-Day PCR testing is done via the Cepheid system.

 

Current In-Office Operations

The health and safety of our patients and staff remains our priority!  All RIMG providers and specialists have the ability to see you virtually, while working in the office on a rotating basis. Please do not postpone routine, acute or preventative care.

    • Office Hours: M-F 8:00am-4:00pm
    • VIRTUAL VISITS available with all RIMG providers
    • If you would like an in-office appointment please call the office
    • Our Lab is open M-F 7:50am-3:50pm, appointments are preferred. To book online, click here, or call: Rockville Office: 301-762-5020, press 2, or Olney Office: 301-933-5050, press 0

In-Person Appointments: 

As a reminder, please do NOT come into the office if you have been diagnosed with COVID in the past 5 days or have any COVID symptoms   lasting less than 5 days. Instead we will see you virtually!

In Person Walk-In Clinic/Virtual Walk-In Clinic:

Rockville Internal Medicine Group (RIMG) has reopened our walk-in clinic for our primary care patients at our Rockville location for your same day urgent needs. Our virtual on-demand walk-in clinic will remain available. The hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 8am-3:45pm (closed 11:30am-1pm)

For everyone’s safety, the in person walk-in clinic will be for non-COVID related visits,  if you have any URI symptoms that have been present for less than 5 days, we can see you virtually . Click on this link to connect virtually to an RIMG provider Monday – Friday, 8am-3:45pm (closed 11:30am-1pm). 

To access our walk-in clinic, enter through our main office entrance, Suite 111.  

The following acute issues can be addressed by our walk- in clinic: 

  • Rash/Skin infection
  • Ear pain
  • Urinary issue
  • GYN issue
  • Acute pain such as back or neck pain lasting less than 4 weeks 
  • Eye infection 
  • Minor injuries

Virtual Visits: 

Virtual visits are appropriate for a variety of care needs, including urgent or acute issues, routine follow-up visits, chronic care disease management, medication management, reviewing test or lab results, and lifestyle coaching. Virtual visits are also appropriate for Medicare Annual Wellness Visits and Routine Physical Examinations (covered by Medicare, United  and CareFirst plans. Cigna and  Aetna require an in person physical exam). During your virtual physical we review lab results, ensure you are up to date on screening procedures, review family history, discuss healthy lifestyle and any symptoms or concerns you may be having. If deemed necessary for an in person evaluation after a virtual physical, we will do so. 

For a virtual visit, you will need to download the myPrivia App on your mobile device OR if using a desktop, you will need Google Chrome, speakers, a camera, a microphone and a strong connection speed.

  1. Once you call our office to schedule a virtual visit you will receive an email with a link to “Start my Virtual Visit
  2. If applicable, you will add your insurance information and submit payment
  3. Once the provider joins the virtual waiting room, click the blue button “Join Virtual Visit
  4. For a Virtual Visit tutorial click here.

Current Safety Protocols:

  • Patients with confirmed COVID-19 are seen by virtual visit only
  • All staff wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
  • Enhanced cleaning procedures have been implemented throughout the entire office
  • COVID testing is performed in a separate location from our main offices

 

Practice Statement on the Overturning of Roe v Wade

At Rockville Internal Medicine Group, we prioritize individualized healthcare decisions. As such, we understand that decisions around reproductive choices are nuanced and intensely personal.

The recent ruling from the United States Supreme Court in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization takes the decision of abortion out of the exclusive hands of the doctor-patient relationship. 

We stand with the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, and a myriad of other health associations to express our dismay with this decision and offer our support to the millions of American women affected. 

As medical providers, we know that maternal and fetal outcomes, as well as child wellbeing, are directly linked to access to safe and comprehensive reproductive care. We are fortunate to practice in a state where access to safe, elective abortion will likely remain available for all women who wish to make that choice. However, we know the only way to reinstate access for all is for those of us with voices, especially those of us in the medical field, to remain active and engaged in this discussion. 

We wish for all our patients, and all women, to continue to have autonomy and privacy in their medical decisions. 

– The Partners of Rockville Internal Medicine Group