Office Policies
Lab, X-ray and diagnostic testing
Our office has a full-service lab to analyze blood and urine samples. Unless insurance requires otherwise, lab work is performed here, and the results are communicated as soon as they are available and reviewed by the provider. In addition, we offer digital X-rays, including chest X-rays, evaluation of injuries and arthritis care. Other equipment available on-site includes an EKG machine, pulmonary function testing (spirometry), cryotherapy, electrocautery and pulse oximeter.
Appointments
To limit the wait time, patients are seen by appointment only. Our aim is to see acute visits the same day: Please call in the early morning. If no time slot is available, you will be asked to speak to one of our nurses, who can help decide when you need to be seen. Online sick visit appointments can be made through MyChart 24 hours a day.
Medical questions
Throughout the day, our providers are seeing scheduled patients. Most of our patients’ questions can be answered by one of our experienced nurses. If the nurse is with a patient, he or she will return your call as soon as possible. Please remember to have your pharmacy’s phone number available when you call. All non-emergent messages taken after 4:00 will be returned the next business day.
Hospital coverage
Our physicians focus on outpatient care of our patients in the office setting. If you need inpatient hospital care, we will refer you to a hospitalist at the hospital of your choice, avoiding the emergency department.
Hospitalists specialize in the care of inpatients. Hospitalists at Prisma Health facilities offer immediate, continuous high-quality care. They provide our physicians with regular updates about your diagnosis, treatment plan and condition so that care can continue seamlessly upon discharge from the hospital, when you will return to the oversight of our physicians.
Note: Facilitating any visit to the hospital is the electronic medical records system, which allows patient information to be accessed quickly by us, the referring physicians, and by the hospitalists and emergency department physicians.
Insurance and payment policy
We accept most insurance plans and, as a courtesy, file insurance claims for you. Please be aware that your co-pay or deductible is due at the time of service. It is your responsibility to inform us of changes with your insurance plan. Although we file claims for you, you are still responsible for your bill, regardless of the amount your insurance company pays, except in cases of pre-negotiated insurance agreements and where legally prohibited.
If your insurance requires a referral for a specialist or prior approval for testing, our nurses will make every effort to provide your insurance the necessary information.
If you do not have insurance, payment is expected at the time you receive services. The cost of an office visit varies depending on your medical program, but estimates can be given before service upon request. A discount of 30 percent is given for cash paying patients.
