First Visit – What to Bring

■ YOUR COMPLETED REGISTRATION FORMS – Be sure to bring your completed patient information forms. Completing these forms before your appointment  gives you the time to gather necessary information and  shortens your wait.

■ YOUR CURRENT MEDICATION LIST – Please list all of the medications that you are currently taking and their dosage on your forms. It is vital for us to know exactly what you are taking, how often, its strength, and the name of the physician who prescribed it. Sometimes the pharmacy bottles will provide us with all of this information.

■ YOUR CURRENT INSURANCE CARDS AND CO-PAY OR COINSURANCE INFORMATION – We scan your insurance card into our system. Please make us aware of any change in your coverage or carrier. Co-pays, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts will be collected before you are seen by the physician. Failure to pay your co-pay or coinsurance will result in a rescheduling of your appointment.

■ YOUR PHOTO IDENTIFICATION – To help protect you from becoming a victim of Identity theft, our practice will verify the identity of all new and returning patients. Additionally, federal law requires all health care practices to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each patient.

■ YOUR REFERRAL FROM YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN  – If your insurance requires authorization to see a specialist, it is your responsibility to make sure this is sent to our office before your appointment. Your visit will be rescheduled or a wavier must be signed making you responsible for payment if authorization is not obtained before seeing the physician.

■ BRING ALL MRI AND X-RAY FILMS OR CDs THAT PERTAIN TO YOUR CURRENT ILLNESS – Diagnostic studies are essential for a complete examination. If you have had an MRI, CT, myelogram, arteriogram, or plain x-ray  in the last five years, bring the films or CD and reports with you. It is usually necessary to contact the facility where the tests were completed. Ask them to prepare your studies (both films and reports) for you to pick up  before the date of your appointment. DO NOT depend on a doctor’s office, courier service, or testing center to send them.

Diagnostic tests, such as blood work, EMG, nerve conduction study, etc., do not use films, but the results are equally important. If you have had a recent test , please bring those reports with you as well.

■ PLEASE BRING ANY RECORDS FROM YOUR REFERRING PHYSICIAN IF NOT ALREADY PROVIDED – If you have seen another physician about the same condition, it is important that you bring all pertinent medical records with you. It is particularly helpful to bring your doctor’s notes about medications, treatments, physical therapy, test results, etc. If you would like the doctor’s office to fax the notes to us, our fax number is (919) 783-7778. Ask them to include a cover sheet with your name, the date of your upcoming appointment, and the name of the physician you will be seeing.

■ IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE, BE PREPARED TO PAY FOR YOUR VISIT AT THE TIME OF SERVICE – On average, office visits are $110.00 for established patients and $220.00 for new patients. Your appointment will be rescheduled if you are unable to pay for your visit at the time of service.