Frequently Asked Questions

Consultation

Your initial appointment will consist of a consultation explaining your diagnosis and treatment options. Occasionally, surgery can be done the same day as the consultation. However, a complex medical history or treatment plan will require an evaluation and a second appointment to provide treatment on another day.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your consultation:

• Your surgical referral slip and any X-rays if applicable
• A list of medications you are presently taking
• If you have medical or dental insurance, bring the necessary completed forms. This will save time and allow us to help you process any claims.

IMPORTANT: All patients under the age of 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation visit.

A pre-operative consultation is mandatory for patients undergoing IV anesthesia for surgery. Please have nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to your surgery. You will also need an adult to drive you home.

Please alert the office if you have a medical condition that may be of concern prior to surgery (i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves and joints, rheumatic fever, etc.) or if you are on any medication (i.e. heart medications, aspirin, anticoagulant therapy, etc.)

X-Ray

If your dentist or physician has taken x-rays, you may request that they forward them to our office. If there is not enough time, please pick them up and bring them to our office. If additional films are necessary, they can be taken at our facility.

Scheduling

BASIC POLICY

Payment for services rendered is due in full at the time of service. Our office accepts cash, personal checks (there is a $25 returned check fee), and credit cards however no American Express. We also offer convenient financing.

SURGERY FEES

All co-payments, deductibles and payments for non-covered surgical procedures are due the day of your surgery.

FOR PATIENTS WITH INSURANCE

As a service to our patients, we will bill your insurance carrier, provided proper paperwork is provided to us. We will also assist you in billing your secondary insurance carrier, if applicable. Every effort will be made to closely estimate your co-payments and deductibles that are due at the time of service, but the ultimate responsibility for any unpaid balance rests on you. Please understand that insurance is a contract between you and your insurance company. If an insurance carrier has not paid within 60 days of billing, any unpaid professional fees are due and payable in full from you.

NON-COVERED CHARGES

Any charges not paid by your insurance carrier will require payment in full at the time services are provided or upon notice of insurance claim denial. To assist our patients, we offer financial arrangements and/or alternative financing sources. Please ask our billing personnel for additional information.

PERSONAL INJURY CASES

This office does not accept liens nor bill for auto-accident or other liability or lawsuit-related cases. The patient is responsible for services provided at the time of service.

FOLLOW-UP VISITS

Periodic post-operative office visits may or may not be covered under your insurance plan; however, these may be required by the attending doctor to monitor your health.

CANCELLATION OF APPOINTMENTS

Our goal is to provide high quality of care at low cost to our patients and in fairness to other patients and the doctor, we require at least 24-hours notice when canceling an appointment. The practice reserves the right to dismiss patients with excessive canceled appointments.

EXPLANATION OF FEES

Your fee for service includes your visit with the doctor based on the time and complexity of your condition and any treatment provided. In addition, proper attention to your case requires that the doctor spend more time working for you outside your direct visit with him or her. Such time may include:

• Creation of a permanent medical record.
• Review of all laboratory blood test results.
• Review of prior and current x-ray or scan reports.
• Preparation and mailing of consultation reports and follow-up visit letters and laboratory/scan results to referring doctors and any subsequent consulting.
• Phone consultation with referring or consulting practitioner and other health care providers about your case.
• Other phone calls to and from you and your family members for various reasons.
• Referral letters to any further specialists recommended by the doctor.
• Patient educational materials and medication samples when available.
• Any research done by the doctor about your case. The doctor uses medical libraries and computerized medical search services.
• Staff assistance regarding your visit.
• Arranging and coordinating other tests and consultations.
• Calls to and from pharmacies.
• Insurance application forms: medical/dental, disability, and life insurance.
• Insurance reports: health claims, disability claims to insurance and state, Medicare disability
• Discussions (sometimes acrimonious) with hospitalization utilization review, insurance companies, or Medicare for ongoing hospitalization.
• Review and management of hospital records.
• Letters of necessity for medical services to insurance companies.
• Communication daily during admission with nurses, house staff, and attending physicians.
• Reports and forms: jury duty, school, job, sick leave, back to work, etc.