OFFICE HOURS

We have attempted to provide flexible office hours to accommodate patient needs and to minimize waiting times. Because of our commitment to patients in the hospital, individual physician hours in the office vary. There is someone in the office to answer telephone calls from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday except holidays.

Appointments may be made only during these hours; every attempt will be made to provide you with an appointment in a timely manner. Because of the nature of our practice, emergencies do arise and the office schedule may be "running behind" or your doctor may not be available. Every attempt is made to minimize these occurrences; if emergencies arise you may be asked to see a different physician in the group or to reschedule your appointment. If you find that you are unable to keep your appointment please notify us at least 24 hours in advance if possible.

TREATMENTS

We deal with a variety of illnesses requiring treatments ranging from hospitalization to outpatient dialysis. We utilize a number of different medications, some of these medications have unavoidable side effects and many have potential interactions with other medications. It is important that we are aware of all the medication you are currently taking so that we can prevent adverse drug interactions. It is also important to notify us immediately of any side effects you feel you are experiencing or if you have any questions concerning a particular medication. It is best to contact us during office hours so that we will have access to your medical records. This will facilitate answering your questions. Please keep us informed of any medication changes or additions that are made by your other physicians. We suggest that you keep an updated list of your medications and their dosages with you at all times. Please bring this list with you to every visit so that we are able to maintain an accurate record of your medications. If you are a new patient, please bring all your medications with you to your first appointment.

WHAT TO DO WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE

We encourage you to handle questions concerning your medications, medical condition or treatment regimens during regular office hours which are 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except holidays. We also encourage you to contact us during these hours if you feel that you are developing a problem. In general, we will be able to take care of your problems more effectively during these hours because we will have access to your complete medical record and our physicians are more available. If questions arise on holidays or on weekends, we ask you to contact us in the morning between 9:00 a.m. and noon since we are usually in the hospital making rounds during these hours and we can make any necessary arrangements to see you in the emergency room or obtain your records from the office.

We realize that emergencies may arise at times when the office is closed. Should an emergency arise one of our physicians is available at all times, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If an emergency arises, please contact us at 770-427-7389. Should this number not work properly you may contact our answering service directly at 770-928-5315. Your call will be returned by the physician on call as quickly as possible. If you do not receive a return call in a timely manner, please re-contact our answering service. We ask that you call before going to the emergency room since some problems can be handled over the telephone. If an emergency room visit is necessary your visit can be expedited if we know in advance that you are going to the emergency room. On some occasions you will be evaluated by the emergency room physicians who will treat the problem necessitating the visit. On other occasions one of our physicians will directly treat your problem or admit you to the hospital if needed.

HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS

Should you be admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing or medical treatment, every effort will be made to minimize your hospital stay. While hospitalized, you will be visited by one of our physicians each day, you will not necessarily see the physicians you normally see in the office. In general, we start "rounds" in the critical care areas and then proceed to the other areas in the hospital. We will be happy to use the consulting physician of your choice whenever possible. We realize that hospitalization is a time of great stress and anxiety for both the patient and his/her family. If family members have questions, we ask that your family be present when you are seen by the physician on rounds; if this is not possible we ask that you restrict your family's calls to regular office hours. While hospitalized we may ask that other physicians from other specialties assist in your care. We will be happy to use the consulting physician of your choice whenever possible.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

We realize that medical care is expensive and can represent a considerable financial hardship for you. Our fees are based on the time spent with the patient, the time spent reviewing records and consulting with other physicians, the severity of the problem, and the expertise required for specialty evaluation.

We do accept Medicare Assignment. By accepting assignment we agree to accept as payment the fee that Medicare allows for our services. Medicare will then pay 80% of that allowable fee directly to us. You are responsible for the remaining 20% of that fee and will need to make arrangements to pay this remaining amount. Additionally, Medicare has a deductible which must be met prior to beginning payments for your medical costs. You are responsible for the entire deductible amount. If hospitalized, you will receive a separate bill from the hospital for their charges. We will be happy to file insurance forms. In order to file your insurance, you must provide us with current ID and GROUP NUMBERS and mailing address for your insurance plan. If your insurance company requires pre-certification prior to non emergent admission, it is your responsibility to provide that information to our office. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to assure that your insurance claims are submitted properly and payment is received. If third party payments do not cover the entire hospital bill or if you are without insurance, it is your responsibility to make arrangements to pay for your hospital charges. We will be happy to work with you to arrange payments so that the financial burden is minimized.

Payment for outpatient services is expected at the time the services are rendered. PPO/HMO and other managed care patients are responsible for their co-payment at the time of service. These patients will also receive a copy of our Managed Care Policy. We are participating physicians with Medicare, therefore these patients are only required to pay their deductible and 20% of the approved Medicare charges. You will be advised of the approved amount at the time services are rendered.

Those patients who do not have insurance coverage or who are not participants in a managed care plan are expected to pay in full at the lime of service. We will be happy to file your insurance for you if valid current insurance information is provided. If you have any questions or problems with your bill, our staff is available during office hours.

MISCELLANEOUS

Telephone calls to the office should be made during regular office hours unless there is an emergency.  Medications will be refilled by telephone only during regular office hours.  No medications will be refilled at night or on the weekend.  If you should run out during one of these times, you should ask your pharmacist to provide you with enough medication to last you until the office is open; at that time you may request a refill from the office.  No exceptions will be made. If you have a question about your medical problems or medications, someone in the office will take your name and telephone number so that your questions may be answered as time permits.  Frequently your call may be returned by one of our office personnel after the physician has been consulted. If your call requires a call from the physician, this call will be made when the physician is available.

CONFIDENTIALTY

Your medical records are held in strict confidence. Your case will not be discussed with anyone without your permission. Additionally, your records will not be released to anyone without your permission.

We realize that an illness can be very difficult for both the patient and their family. It is our goal to establish a warm professional relationship with our patients. We encourage you to contact our office should you need assistance.