FAQ
How is your clinic handling COVID-19?
At Norwood Clinic-Gardendale, we take the threat of coronavirus very seriously. We are currently engaged in several practices to ensure that our clinic remains a safe place for you to receive high-quality medical care. Please expect that our staff will be masked during your visit, our high-touch areas will be cleaned regularly, and you will be asked to remain masked while in our common areas (including lab, waiting room, hallways). You may remove your mask when you are in the exam room as long as you are not feeling ill and have no known recent exposure to covid.
Our waiting room is open for our well patients but we also invite you to wait in your car if you prefer and can call you when your exam room is ready. Additionally, we continue to offer telemedicine services if you prefer to receive virtual care.
Dr. Carstensen is seeing sick patients at this time if you are already established with our clinic. We ask that you notify our staff prior to your appointment that you would like to be seen for a sick visit. Remain in your car when you arrive and call us. We will ask you to remain masked throughout your visit and will perform your visit in a way that maximizes your care while minimizing exposure to others. We are able to run covid, flu, strep, and respiratory panel testing in our office.
For immediate care, care after hours, or if you are not yet established with Norwood Clinic and are sick, please go to our After Hours clinic.
Does Dr. Carstensen have hospital privileges?
Not at this time. Dr. Carstensen prefers to focus on outpatient-only care and is proud to interface with all local physicians, no matter their hospital affiliation. This allows you to continue seeing your normal specialists who will work with Dr. Carstensen in creating a personalized care plan for you. Dr. Carstensen has direct access to UAB main campus records electronically and our staff will be happy to obtain your records from any other hospitals.
If you are a patient of Dr. Carstensen's and have been admitted to the hospital, please notify the staff that you see our office for primary care and they will send any relevant records to Dr. Carstensen.
Are your services covered by my insurance?
We accept most major insurances including medicare, cigna, viva, and Blue Cross Blue Shield to name a few. We accept medicaid for patients under the age of 18. Please feel free to give us a call to check if we are able to accept your insurance.
Can I get a same-day appointment? Do you offer walk-in clinic services?
Yes! Call us today for an appointment. Dr. Carstensen reserves several appointments each day for the everyday emergencies that come up & need to be treated quickly.
Do you give vaccines?
We carry most childhood, adult, and seasonal vaccines. While we highly recommend vaccination against COVID-19, we do not carry covid vaccines in stock at this time due to its very short shelf-life. Please visit Vaccines.gov to find a vaccination site near you.