WELCOME

We hope this information is helpful as you begin your journey with our practice. Whether you are a new patient, or returning for follow-up care, we have found that our office staff can best meet your needs if you understand how our office functions. Your unique needs are best met by understanding the active role you will take in your care.

NEW PATIENTS

If you are new to our practice, we ask that you complete our comprehensive medical forms prior to your first visit. This information provides critical facts about you as well as a detailed cancer history of your family. All of this information is taken into consideration as we plan a course of action for you.

HEALTH INSURANCE

In today's world, insurance coverage can be confusing. We are happy to file your primary and secondary insurance policies for you. However, our business staff must first verify your coverage and benefits. We will need copies of your insurance cards at the time of your visit. Be sure to bring all appropriate cards and information with you. It is also important for you to know what your plan will, and will not, cover. You should call the 1-800 number on the back of your insurance card prior to your visit to determine what facilities, laboratories, and radiology centers are covered by your policy. Please remember, you will be responsible for any balance due after your insurance has processed claim(s).

HMO PATIENTS

If you have an HMO, it is your responsibility to obtain an authorization number from your primary care physician before coming for your first appointment. Authorization for future visits will be initiated by our office.

TELEPHONE CALLS

Telephone calls are answered by a nurse at the end of each day. Weekday emergency calls will be returned by a nurse in a timely fashion. True emergency calls will be answered after hours, during weekends, or on holidays.

PRESCRIPTIONS

Prevent interruption in your medications by calling at least 48 hours in advance to request a refill of your prescription. For safety reasons, our office does not normally refill medicines prescribed by other doctors. Importantly, we do not refill narcotic prescriptions after the office is closed.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND PROCEDURES

Routine tests should be ordered by your primary care physician. For tests ordered by us (x-rays, biopsies, Pap tests, etc.) you will receive your results within 15 working days. Negative Pap tests will be reported by a letter in the mail. If you have not heard from us after 20 working days, please call for your results.

FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS

In order to make sure that you receive your follow-up appointments at a time that is convenient for you and which falls within the physician's recommended follow-up, please make follow-up appointments at least 4 months in advance.