Telephone Calls / Prescription Renewals
All patients are encouraged to call with any questions you may have related to your office visit. We will prioritize calls received on the basis of medical urgency, but will always strive to return each AM call by 1:30 PM and each PM call by 6:00 PM. All requests for prescriptions or renewals will require your doctor to review your chart and make a decision on what will be best for you. Once a decision has been made, you will be called and informed. Please have your pharmacy number available when you call. Narcotics and nerve medicines will not be phoned in after regular office hours.
Referrals
Many insurance plans require your chosen primary care physician to authorize all visits to a specialist's office. For most new medical problems, we will need to evaluate your medical condition first before referring you to a specialist. If there are any questions on this, please call our office prior to making an appointment with another medical specialist.
Hospital Care
We have a dedicated team of doctors at UAB Hospital who will specifically work with you while you are in the hospital. If you have other non-UAB specialists that you prefer to follow you, then we will strive to facilitate that physician coordinating your care during your hospitalization.
Fees and Payments
We make every effort to keep down the cost of medical care. You can help by paying for your services received at the time of each visit by cash, check, MasterCard or Visa.
Please understand that you are responsible for paying your bill on time regardless of the status of an insurance claim. All fees over 60 days past due will be subject to collection procedures and you may lose your eligibility to receive medical service from us. If circumstances beyond your control prevent you from being prompt in paying a bill, please contact our office as soon as possible so that a mutually acceptable plan of payment can be arranged. We will be happy to work with you regarding your bill.
Insurance
Being a part of the UAB Health System, we are on most large insurance programs. It is the patient's responsibility to make sure that the doctor you choose is on your plan. If you have a primary care physician, it is your responsibility to make sure that you have been assigned to the proper one. It is your responsibility to pay any deductible amount, co-insurance or any other balance not paid by your insurance company.
We know questions can arise concerning your insurance and these should be discussed with our insurance clerk. We will be happy to help you receive maximum benefits; however, the agreement of the insurance company to pay for medical care is a contract between you and the company.