Policies

Appointments

Please bring a list of your current medications to all visits (do not hesitate to just bring in the bottles if you are unsure)

You can help us maintain our appointment schedule by coming 15 minutes prior to your appointment time to complete the registration process. At that time you will be asked to present your insurance card, a photo ID and your copay will be collected. Despite our best efforts to see patients on schedule, emergencies may occur, causing delays. We will try to keep you informed about any changes in our appointment schedule. Should you have to wait, please know that we regret any inconvenience and ask for your understanding. You may want to consider bringing a family member with you when you meet with the doctor. If you need to cancel an appointment, please notify us as soon as possible.

Please be courteous when it comes to keeping your scheduled appointments. We will happily reschedule your appointments for you if you have a conflict. If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please call within 24 hours to cancel or reschedule.  If you fail  to do so, you will be charged $50 for all office visits and $100 for all testing appointments if you have not contacted us prior. Not showing for appointments hinders our ability to care for you and other patients.  If three appointments are missed without  prior notification to our office, you will be asked to seek medical care elsewhere.

Billing Procedures

As a courtesy to our patients, we complete and submit medical claims to your primary and secondary insurances, including Medicare. We are always here to help you, but we rely on you to provide us with current insurance information. You will not receive a bill from us until your insurance company has processed your claim. If your insurance does not cover the full amount of the bill, you will receive a bill for the remainder of the charge. It is your obligation to pay this portion by the due date listed. You may pay with Cash, Check or Credit Card. For your convenience we can take payments online through PayPal, over the phone or by mail.

The high cost of sending statements dictate that we do not send bills for balances under $5.00. You may find you have a small balance that you are asked to pay at your next visit. In addition, we do not send refunds for credits under $5.00 unless you do not have a future appointment. You may have that applied at your next visit.

Our billing office will be happy to assist you in determining in advance the extent of your insurance coverage for services in our office and what portion of your bill you will be responsible for. In addition to understanding how much your insurance will pay, you should understand the requirements of your insurance policy, specifically, copay, deductibles and co-insurance. There are hundreds of different options for health insurance, all with their own specific requirements and limitations. If you believe your insurance provider handled your account incorrectly, please contact your insurance provider directly.

No Show

24 hour notice is required to cancel an appointment.  A charge of $50 for all office visits and $100 for all testing appointments will be assessed for any appointments not kept without prior notification.

Hospital Care

If your treatment involves admission to Strong Memorial, Highland, or Unity Hospital, you will be admitted under your doctor’s care; UCVA also has physicians with privileges at Rochester General hospital. Many insurance plans require pre-authorization or pre-certification for hospital admissions and other procedures performed at the hospital. Without proper pre-certification, your insurance provider may deny your benefits. Please review your insurance plan carefully to see if any of these requirements apply.

Nuclear Stress/CT Angiography

If your doctor requests either a Nuclear Thallium Stress Test or CT Angiography, many insurance plans require pre-authorization. Without pre-authorization, your insurance company will deny your benefits. Please review your insurance plan to see if this requirement applies. A $100 fee will be assessed for appointments not kept without 24 hours notification.

Phone Calls

Telephone calls regarding your condition, medication or treatment are taken between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 .p.m. A physician is on call for emergencies at all other times. You may reach us by calling our office number (585) 442-5320 or calling the answering service directly after hours at (585) 327-2131.

Privacy

The relationship between our physicians and their patients is confidential. It is a relationship based on mutual trust and understanding. Your medical records are absolutely private. No information regarding your condition will be given to employers, friends or relatives without your permission (except if required by a court of law).

Prescription and Refills

We issue prescriptions and refills during regular telephone hours. Please have your pharmacy fax a request for prescription refills 48 hours before you need the medication. Our fax number is (585) 442-5526. You may also fill out the prescription refill request form online 24 hours a day, if after regular business hours, your request will be addressed the following business day.

Release of Information

You may request that we release your medical records to a third party such as an insurance provider or attorney. Before we release these records, you will have to sign a form authorizing us to release this confidential information. Records are copied and sent out promptly and always in compliance with state and federal regulations. You also may request a copy of your lab work or test. We are happy to give that information to you; however, federal regulations require that you sign a release. For your convenience you may print a copy of this release from our website.