FAQs
Do I need to have an appointment?
Yes, appointments are required as we don't accept walk-in visits.Do you do laboratory work?
Yes, we offer laboratory services with an on-site lab at our clinic.How do I schedule a tele-health visit?
You can schedule by calling or emailing us directly. Please note that your initial visit must be in-person, after which you'll have the option to use telehealth for subsequent appointments throughout the year.Does the clinic use FDA-approved weight-loss medicine?
Yes, all medications we prescribe are FDA-approved.Can the clinic see my medical records from the local hospitals?
The Ranchero Clinic has established clinical-business relationships with all of the local hospital systems, including SBLHC, Carle, and HSHS. We are able to see the current and past medical charts and records for these health care systems.What laboratories does the clinic use?
Our main laboratory is Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center(SBLHC). We also use GeneSight, Cologuard, and Coles County Health Department. We can also send orders to HSHS-Mattoon or Effingham and Carle Health System. We can send lab orders to any laboratory facility as long as we have their fax number.What insurances do we accept?
We currently accept most commercial insurance plans including: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, Tricare, RR Medicare, Consociate, Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid (Aetna Better Health, Molina, Meridian, Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Options).Do we offer telehealth services?
Yes, we offer secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth/tele-video services for our established patients. We request that new patients first establish care at the clinic with a face-to-face in-person appointment.Do you accept cash patients/uninsured patients?
Yes, we accept cash-paying patients/those without insurance/out of network insurance. We will charge a starting fee of $100 for the initial visit (to be paid the day of service), and the patient will be billed for the remaining charges.
With what hospital systems are you affiliated?
We are a completely independent medical practice. We have clinical-business relationships with all of the local hospital systems and can access their electronic medical records for patient charts and information. Patients have the choice of which hospital system they wish to access for emergency services, specialty referrals, diagnostic services, and laboratory services.Does the clinic prescribe weight loss medications?
We specialize in weight management. Dr. Ranchero has been board certified in Obesity Medicine by the American Board of Obesity Medicine since 2015. We only write FDA-approved medications and their generic equivalents. We do NOT prescribe compounded weight loss medications nor “gray-market” peptides.Does the clinic prescribe weight loss medication for the Medicare Bridge Program?
Yes, we participate in the Medicare Bridge Program for weight loss medications, where patients who suffer from overweight and obesity can receive FDA-approved weight loss medications for $50/month. Please see the link for more information and program criteria.
What is your address? Do you have multiple locations?
Our address is 825 18th Street, Suite 238. We only have one location. We are located in the old Charleston City Hospital, in the same building as DCFS. Please come to the FRONT of the building and look for the “Ranchero Clinic Entrance” sign. We are NOT located in Altamont or Mattoon, IL.
What are the clinic hours?
8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Do you charge a facility fee?
No, we do NOT charge a facility fee.
Does the clinic provide a portal for test results?
Yes. Our “AthenaOne” phone application serves as a portal, repository, and secure communication tool between the patient/caregiver and our clinic.
Do we offer walk-in services?
No, we do not offer walk-in services; however, we do offer same-day appointments if available. Often, they will be televideo appointments.
What diagnostic (Xray/CT-scans/MRI etc.) centers does the clinic refer the patients to?
We can refer patients to the facility of their choice, including SBLHC, Carle, Memorial Health, and HSHS. We can also place orders at other facilities as long as we have their fax numbers.
What hospitals can I use (ER, specialists, surgeons, etc.)?
Patients have the choice to go to any local or regional facility, including SBLHC, Carle, Memorial Health, and HSHS. We can also place orders at other facilities as long as we have their fax numbers. We also regularly refer patients to tertiary academic health systems including Washington University in St. Louis, systems in Springfield, IL, Terre Haute, IN, Indianapolis, IN, and Chicago, IL.
Do we see pediatric patients?
We do NOT regularly see pediatric patients. We will see teenagers on a case-by-case basis.
What are Dr. Ranchero’s areas of specialization and practice philosophy?
Dr. Ranchero is board certified in family medicine and obesity medicine. His current areas of clinical interest and expertise include adult preventive medicine, diabetes, weight management, and obesity related conditions such as hypertension and high cholesterol. Dr. Ranchero believes that his main goal with patients is twofold: to maintain and increase quality of life/functionality for his patients and, secondly, to promote longevity/a long lifespan. He believes that patients deserve excellent health care and are worthy of good health.
What are Taysha Ryan’s (Nurse Practitioner) areas of specialization?
Taysha Ryan, NP, is board certified in family medicine and has clinic interests and expertise in Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Women’s health care, and LGBTQ+ Medicine. She is passionate about providing mental health primary care for all, especially focusing on anxiety and depression. She believes that all patients should have access to excellent mental health care. She also specializes in Hormone Replacement Therapy (for all genders) and Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy. Taysha also treats perimenopausal and post-menopausal women. She performs general well-woman exams, including routine Pap smears.
Do we do hormone replacement therapy?
Yes, the Ranchero Clinic does prescribe hormone replacement therapy for all genders. Taysha Ryan, NP and Dr. Ranchero also actively provide gender affirming hormone replacement therapy and manage primary care for the LGBTQ+ community.
Does the clinic offer immunizations?
We offer basic immunizations such as Tetanus and influenza vaccines. For all other immunizations and vaccines, we will refer you to your local pharmacy and your local public health department.
What onsite testing does the clinic offer?
We offer onsite testing for urinalysis, influenza, strep throat, COVID-19, RSV, blood glucose, pregnancy, PT/INR, cholesterol panel, HbA1c, and basic urine drug screens(non-DOT).
Does the clinic perform disability exams/certifications?
We do not perform disability exams or certify for disability.
Is the clinic certified for Department of Transportation exams?
We are not certified to perform DOT physicals.
Does the clinic offer occupational medicine services?
We do not offer occupational medicine services.
