Policies
Appointments
Please Bring All Of Your Medications To Each Visit.
Appointments are scheduled by your physician’s secretary. 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 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.
Not showing for your appointment without calling to cancel is unacceptable. If a patient does not call or come in for three appointments without contacting us, you will be asked to seek medical care elsewhere.
Billing Procedures
As a courtesy to our patients, we will be happy to help you 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.
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.
Hospital Care
If your treatment involves admission to either Strong Memorial or Highland Hospital, you will be admitted under your Doctors care. 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, you may be referred for testing. 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.
Phone Calls
Telephone calls regarding your condition, medication or treatment are taken between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. A physician is on call for emergencies at all other times. You may reach us by calling our office number 442-5320 or calling the answering service directly at 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 (Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Please have your pharmacy fax a request for prescription refills 48 hours before you need the medication. Our fax number is 585-442-5526.
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.