General Patient Information
The following information answers our patients’ most common questions, but we always have time to deal with your personal concerns. If you don’t find your answer here, please ask.
What kind of care does this center offer?
Our doctor specializes in orthopaedic care and rehabilitation. Orthopaedic medicine treats diseases, disorders and injuries of muscles, bones and joints. We deal daily with general bone or joint diseases, hand and foot problems, sports injuries, scoliosis, orthopaedic problems and many other bone/ muscle/joint ailments. Surgery is but one option for many orthopaedic conditions, and in this office it is usually the last option. Depending on your diagnosis, we may be able to use braces, physical therapy or medication to treat your condition.
Just as no two people are exactly the same, no two ailments or injuries are alike either. For this reason we may conduct a series of tests or x-rays before we begin treatment. Your unique condition and personal needs always guide us in choosing methods of treatment that are right for you.
You, too are a key player on the team that is working to make you well. Often we find clues to peoples’ ailments just by listening, so we need to hear your questions and concerns. Ask us anything: there ARE no frivolous questions. Experience has shown us when you take an active part in your own diagnosis and treatment you get well faster.
About Appointments
Our appointment system is designed to shorten the amount of time you wait to see a doctor. However, emergencies do happen. If you ever find yourself having to wait, we hope you’ll remember that someday the person needing our immediate attention could be you. Appointments are made 9:00-4:00 Tuesday and Thursday. If you have to cancel your appointment for any reason, please let us know as far in advance as you can. Your courtesy may free up that time and help another patient.
Personal History
Our personal history paper work will have questions about your ailment, your general health, etc. Some questions will be personal but every question is important and helps our doctor help you. Anything you tell us is strictly confidential and will be released only with your approval.
Evaluation Only
If you were referred for “evaluation only” or “IME only” by another doctor, an insurance company, or an attorney, please be aware that this is the only service our doctor can provide. We are not authorized to give treatment or prescriptions to an “evaluation only” patient.
Evaluation and Treatment
Insurance carriers insist that “evaluation and treatment” or “IME and treatment” must be authorized before any treatment begins. If you were referred to us for evaluation and treatment by an insurance company or attorney, your doctor will examine you and schedule or conduct necessary tests. He will then make a preliminary diagnosis and begin a treatment program that is right for you.
Smoking
This is a non-smoking office and building. Tobacco smoke has been proven to harm the smoker and “secondhand smoke” will harm others.
Prescription Refills
Please don’t wait until you run out of medicine to call for a refill. In fact, call at least two days ahead. In order to protect you, your doctor must review your medical file before renewing a prescription. Our doctors rotate between several locations – the local hospitals and our office. It could be 24-48 hours after you call before your doctor can review your file. The files are reviewed and prescriptions are called to pharmacies at the end of office hours after all patients have been seen.
About Narcotics
By law, doctors cannot order refills for narcotics over the phone. A written prescription is required. You must obtain your refill prescription in person or by mail, and take it to your pharmacist to have it filled.
Fees
We work hard to make sure you receive the best orthopaedic care available, and we also work to keep our fees as low as possible. Our fees are comparable to other orthopaedic groups in and around the Tampa bay area. We charge a flat fee for your office visit; then each item or service (x-rays, laboratory tests, casts, splints, etc.) is billed separately. Estimates can be provided for surgeries, and deposits are sometimes required. We are always willing to discuss charges with our patients. If you need some time to pay for our service, we are happy to help you set up an easy payment plan.
Payment
It is customary to pay for medical care the day it is received. Unless you make prior arrangements or are covered by an HMO, PPO or Medicare plan, you should arrange to pay at the time of each visit to our office. For your convenience we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, cash, or personal check. Note: There is a $30.00 charge for any returned check.
We will be glad to work out an individual payment plan with you if necessary, and if you request it in advance. In return, we expect you to make regular, on-time monthly payments. We can, however, charge your unpaid balance to your credit card at any time. We reserve the right to charge interest on any account that is 60 days past due.
Finance
We mail statements monthly. Payments are due in our office 15 days after you receive your statement. If you have a hardship and need more time to pay, please speak with a financial secretary right away. We can always work out something if you talk with us, but failure to call us could leave us no choice but to ask for full payment of your account. Payment plans are available to those patients that may qualify.
Insurance
Private Companies
Insurance coverage is an agreement between you and your insurance company. You expect your insurance to pay, and we expect you to make sure we are paid. To help you collect from your insurance, we will complete all your medical insurance claim forms and send them in on your behalf so that your insurance company can pay us directly. Any remaining balance that is not covered by your insurance is your responsibility. If you and your insurance pay us more than you owe, we will send the
overpayment back to you.
Medicare
We participate in Medicare. When you receive treatment you are responsible for your annual deductible, any items not covered, and the 20% not paid by Medicare. We will mail you a statement each month showing any payment activity on your account. As a Medicare patient, you should not make payments until Medicare has considered your claim and mailed an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) form to you.
If you are unsure of your plan benefits, please contact your insurance company for more information and providers covered in your plan.
HMOs and PPOs
If you are covered by an HMO or PPO, each one has different insurance arrangements and claim procedures. Some require deductibles and co-payments which you must pay. Our staff will work with you to see that you receive your full benefits.
Click here to view a list of the insurance carriers that we currently accept.
Disability Forms and Attorney’s Reports
You may sometimes need a document completed. An example is a disability form. We will be happy to complete any appropriate form you bring to our office but there is a charge to defray our administrative costs which ranges from 15-35 dollars depending on the form.
If your attorney needs reports or forms, we’ll be happy to respond to his or her written request, but only with your signed approval. Depending on the request, some charges may need to be prepaid by either you or your attorney. It can take up to 2 weeks for forms to be completed.
Your Medical Records and X-Rays
Your records and x-rays are kept in strict confidence as part of our permanent file. We will release copies only if we have your written permission. For copies of patient records or x-rays we must charge, in advance, to cover our material costs. Copies of records and x-rays are available for you in person or by mail; however, if absolutely necessary to mail the records, we charge a small fee to cover our mailing costs. Please give us at least 24 -48 hours notice prior to coming in and picking up records or x-rays as it does take some time to get things together for you. Use the Medical Records Request form to request your records or call us at (813) 855-8450.