Patient Policies

Patient Policies

Workers Compensation

We may be asked to care for patients who have been injured at work but unfortunately we do not treat patients who have been injured in the course of their employment, some of these injuries are "employment-specific" and you may get a specific doctor designated by your employer to provide you with the care you need.  In general, the worker’s compensation is a “no-fault” system that is designed to benefit both employer and employee having its own workers’ compensation system, with its own rules and processes.

The benefit for employees is that they do not have to prove negligence to have a claim; it is sufficient that the injury occurred at work.  Most employers require employees to file workers’ compensation claims for any work injury and please understand that regular health insurance typically will not cover work-related injuries. While the injured worker is involved in a legal process, it is directed at the employer/insurer, not at the physician. 

We believe that employees who are injured on the job deserves good medical care, rehabilitation, and compensation.  Caring for an injured worker poses special challenges, that is why we recommend if you were injured at work to get a better understanding of the workers’ compensation system with your Human Resources Manager and its operation. We hope this may help alleviate some of your concerns. 

Motor Vehicle Accidents

If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should seek medical attention immediately.  Unfortunately we do not treat patients who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, we recommend our patients to go to a hospital emergency room. Whether or not you have an injury you should be examined by a doctor and obtain proper care for your own peace of mind. Frequently, an automobile accident injury will not appear immediately. Always seek immediate emergency care after a motor vehicle accident.  This is critical in proving that a particular injury arose from the accident.  

You are obligated by contract to comply with the terms of your auto insurance policy. Failure to cooperate with your auto insurance company could result in your carrier voiding your coverage.  Many health insurance contracts provide that you must exhaust the medical pay coverage with your auto insurance before your regular health insurance will make payments. This means that your automobile insurance carrier is the responsible party for the accident related injuries.  Bring to the hospital emergency room your auto policy with all of the accompanying documents to make sure that you receive all the benefits to which you are entitled.

Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to keep your appointment, kindly give our office 24 hours notice, otherwise a $50 no-show fee will be charged if you miss a New Patient, Complete Physical Exam, Well Woman Exam, Blood Pressure or Holter Monitor appointment. 
If you miss a Dexa Scan, 2DEchocardiogram or a Doppler appointment a $75 no-show fee will be charged.  All other missed appointments will be charged a $25 no-show fee.
Regretfully, we had to implement this policy in order to give other patients the opportunity to be cared for in a timely manner. This will also ensure that our providers’ times are efficiently utilized. We therefore request that you call 24-hours prior to your appointed time either to cancel and/or reschedule your appointment.

Telephone Calls and Prescriptions

Our telephone policy is designed to allow us to care for patients with a minimum amount of interruptions. Calls that are less urgent may be returned at a later time when patients are not being seen.

In order to ensure accuracy and efficiency, all prescription refills should be called in by you to your pharmacy directly. Your pharmacy will then call our office or will fax us a request for approval. Please call in any refill requests at least one week before you run out of medication.

No antibiotics, pain medications, tranquilizers, or controlled drugs will be refilled without the patient being seen.

We certainly hope you understand this and assist us with your cooperation.

Our Financial Policy

The following information is provided to avoid any misunderstanding or disagreement concerning payment for professional services.  

We are committed to providing you with the best possible care. If you have medical insurance, we would like to help you receive your maximum allowable benefits.

• You should be aware that your insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company. We file insurance claims as a courtesy to our patients, however the ultimate responsibility for payment lies with you, our patient.
• It is extremely difficult for us to keep track of all requirements for the individual insurance plans. Within the same insurance, the plans differ, depending on the contract your employer negotiated. It is your responsibility as a patient to become an active participant in your own health care and know your insurance benefits.
• Our fees are usually considered to fall within the acceptable range determined by each carrier. This does not apply to companies who reimburse based on arbitrary “Usual and Customary” schedule of fees, which bears no relationship to the current standard and cost of care in this area. You will be responsible for any portion of your bill which is denied or not paid by your insurance carrier.
• By law, your insurance carrier must remit payment or deny your insurance claim within 30 days of initial notice of claim. If an insurance problem occurs, you will be asked to assist us in contacting your insurance carrier, as we feel it is necessary to work together to resolve any insurance problem.
•  Payment for services is due at the time service is rendered. For those patients with insurance coverage, it will be necessary for you to pay your deductible, co-insurance, or co-payment at the time service is rendered.
• We accept cash, check, MasterCard and Visa.
• Our fee for a returned check is $30.00.
• If you are unable to keep your appointment, kindly give our office 24 hours notice, otherwise a $50 no-show fee will be charged if you miss a New Patient, Complete Physical Exam, Well Woman Exam, Blood Pressure or Holter Monitor appointment.  If you miss a Dexa Scan, 2DEchocardiogram or a Doppler appointment a $75 no-show fee will be charged.  All other missed appointments will be charged a $25 no-show fee. Regretfully, we had to implement this policy in order to give other patients the opportunity to be cared for in a timely manner. This will also ensure that our providers’ times are efficiently utilized. We therefore request that you call 24-hours prior to your appointed time either to cancel and/or reschedule your appointment.
• Payments not made within 30 days are automatically sent to our collection agency. Balances over 30 days are subject to additional 25% collection and/or interest fees. Balances that are 60 days old will be sent to an outside collection agency. We encourage you to pay within the due date on your statements or within 30 days from the time service was rendered. The only exception will be for patients who make prior arrangements with our business office.

We understand that temporary financial problems may affect timely payment of your account. If such problems arise, we encourage you to contact us for assistance in the management of your account.