Office Policies/Insurance Panels

Appointments

Office hours are by appointment only.  Please call during regular office hours to set up an appointment.  Please do not walk in without an appointment.  We keep open sick visits daily and you can call for same day visits if you are ill. If you need to cancel, a 24 hour courtesy call to cancel is required.  We reserve the right to charge $50 fee for a missed appointment.  Three missed appointments will result in being let go from the practice.

Co-payments are due at the time of service. If you have a high deductible plan, we will ask for a $50 payment at the time of service. Any balance will be billed once insurance responds to the claim.

WE DO NOT TAKE CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS. We can accept payment by cash or check.

Laboratory/Diagnostic Testing

We recommend all tests be done within 30 days of your last visit, unless otherwise specified by the physician.  We will notify you of your test results.  Please call if you do not hear from us within 2 weeks of completing your tests.  Labs and diagnostic tests are not ordered prior to appointments.  Patients need to be assessed face to face to determine which tests are appropriate. We do not review labs ordered by your other providers. Self administered labs will require an appointment to be reviewed.

Prescriptions

Prescriptions should be renewed Monday through Friday during regular business hours.  1 week advance notice is required for local pharmacy renewals.  2 week advance notice is required for mail-order prescriptions.  Renewals of all pain medication or other controlled substances require a 1 week advance notice.  Medications and other controlled substances will not be refilled on evenings or weekends.

Emergencies

Our office provides phone coverage 24/7.  If you have an urgent problem, please call the office for instructions.  Patients requiring hospitalization will be cared for by the Hospitalists at Health Alliance, Vassar, Mid-Hudson Regional or Northern Dutchess Hospitals.  Please notify our office if you are admitted so we can be sure you have the appropriate follow-up.

Education Programs

We offer an annual smoking cessation program here in the office. If you are interested in quitting, please let us know.