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Patient InformationNew Patients New Patients If you are a new patient or an existing patient with a new problem, we will need you to register with one of our offices. This will allow our staff to determine the nature of your problem and arrange an appointment with one of our specialists most suited to your condition. To register and schedule an appointment:
Telephone Our telephone policies are meant to allow us to care for our patients with a minimum of interruptions and to take care of urgent problems. Frequently your questions or requests can be transmitted to your doctor through a nurse or physician assistant and decisions made without you speaking directly to the physician. Our highly skilled staff operates as a team to provide you with the most comprehensive and efficient service. The doctor, nurse, or PA will return your call as indicated. Remember that problems may not be treatable over the phone unless you have been recently evaluated in our facility. An office visit may be required. No advice can be give over the phone if you have never been seen by one of our staff. After Hours: Calling our office will connect you with our answering service. They will contact the doctor on call regarding your problem. One of our staff members is on-call 24 hours per day for emergencies. Please make phone calls about non-emergencies during regular office hours. (top) Prescriptions and Refills Prescriptions and refills are issued during regular office hours only. During the evenings and weekends it is difficult for the physician to determine if a prescription or refill is indicated if they do not have your medical record in front of them. This means that we will not routinely prescribe medications or provide refills during evenings or weekends. (top) Canceling or Rescheduling Appointments If you are unable to make an appointment at one of our offices, please call as far in advance as possible so that we can use that time for other patients. (top) Emergencies If a medical problem is such that you must be seen on an urgent basis, we will make every attempt to see you. If your problem cannot wait, we suggest that you go to the closest emergency room. One of our physicians is available 24 hours per day. Please advise the ER that you are one of our patients and they will consult us as needed. (top) Medical Records All of your records are strictly confidential. No one will have access to either your medical records or x-rays without your approval and signed authorization. There is a nominal charge for obtaining and photocopying your medical records. Please provide us with a minimum of one weeks notice so that we may comply with your request. (top) Insurance Patients who are insured by an HMO or POS Plan are responsible for getting their referral authorization from their primary care physician (PCP). All co-pays required by your insurer must be paid at the time of service. If treatment or diagnostic testing is arranged, our staff will work with you to obtain pre-certification and/or prior authorization. It is ultimately your responsibility to meet all insurance requirements for reimbursement. (top)
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