Before Your Visit

Patients have higher satisfaction with their health care when they partner with their doctors in their health responsibilities. As your physician, I am an expert on medical care, but you are the expert on yourself. By partnering with me as your physician, you can help ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, and work with me to choose the option that best fits your values and lifestyle. When you are prepared for your visit, you will get the most out of it.

Please visit the patient forms page to download and complete the appropriate forms.

Your First Visit—New Patient Responsibilities

Items to Bring to Your Appointment

  • Insurance Cards
  • Referral Authorizations if necessary
  • Completed New Patient Forms (downloaded from website)
  • Plain Radiographs (CD’s preferable)
  • MRI Films (CD’s preferable)
  • Radiologist reports of studies
  • Previous Operative Notes
  • Co-Payment
  • Appropriate clothing (shorts for a knee/hip exam) a tank-top or sports bra for a shoulder examination to ensure the exam is efficient, courteous, and professional

All the above should be brought to your appointment.

Questions to Consider
In addition to completing your forms, you can help us diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer and discuss the following questions:

  • What are your main symptoms?
  • How long have you had your symptoms?
  • What were you doing when your symptoms started?
  • Have you had this problem in the past?
  • What was the diagnosis?
  • How was it treated? How effective was the treatment?
  • How and when did an injury occur? How was it treated?
  • Have you had any injuries in the past to the same area? Do you have any continuing problems because of the previous injury?
  • Have you ever had surgery in that area?
  • What activities, related to sports, work, or lifestyle make your symptoms better or worse?
  • Do you think that activities related to your job or hobbies caused or contributed to your symptoms?
  • What medicines have you taken? Did they help?

Insurance Authorizations, Workman’s Compensation, Medicare

Please be advised that it is your responsibility as the patient to obtain the necessary authorizations from your insurance company prior to seeing a doctor. If we do not have approval prior to your appointment you must make full payment at that time.

If you are uncertain whether pre-certification is required, please contact your benefits department. The necessary telephone numbers are usually located on the back of your insurance card. Most PPO plans do not require a referral while the majority of HMO plans require a referral from your primary care physician. If you are a Workman’s Compensation patient, you must obtain prior approval from your adjuster.

If your insurance company/workman’s compensation require information from the doctor regarding the need for a visit, please let us know and we will forward the required paperwork. Medicare does not require any pre-certification.

While the filing of insurance claims is a courtesy we extend to our patients, we must emphasize that as medical care providers, our relationship is with you the patient, not your insurance company. All charges are the responsibility of the patient. We realize that from time to time temporary financial setbacks may affect timely payments on your account. If such problems do arise, we encourage you to contact our office for assistance in the management of your account.

Our staff will gladly discuss your proposed treatment and answer any question relating to your insurance. However, not all services are a covered benefit in all contracts and you must realize that your insurance is a contract between you, your employer, and the insurance company.

If you have any questions about the above information or have uncertainty regarding your insurance coverage, please do not hesitate to ask for assistance.