Patient Information
Welcome
Welcome to the Spectrum Medical. Our patients are our main concern. We want you to be well informed and satisfied with your medical care. This page will answer many of the questions you may have and contribute to a better understanding of how we can serve you. Any suggestions to improve our service or increase the comfort and convenience of our patients will be welcome.
Appointments
If you need an appointment, please call to schedule as far in advance as possible. Non-emergencies and follow-up care will be scheduled during routine office hours. Emergencies will be seen when they occur. You can help us by notifying the appointment desk if your injury is the result of an automobile accident, an on-the-job injury, or if you are referred to us by another physician, an attorney, or an insurance company. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify the appointment desk as soon as possible at 793-4711.
Registration
Each time you visit our office, you will be asked to register with the receptionist. Please notify the receptionist of any change of name or address, telephone number, employment or insurance information. Please provide us with your most current insurance identification card.
New patients will be asked to fill out a Patient Information sheet to help us better understand your present and past medical problems.
Notice of Privacy Practices
This Notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Download Notice of Privacy Practices
Office Visit: What Happens?
During your office visit your doctor will take a medical history and examine you. Further testing, such as x-rays, may be necessary for full evaluation and diagnosis of your complaint. Discussion of a recommended treatment plan will then follow.
Surgery
If surgery has been advised, you may schedule your surgery at the time of your office visit. You may also contact our Surgery Scheduler at a later time to further discuss your surgery. They can be reached at 793-4711.
You will be asked to sign a consent for surgery, and given orders for pre-surgical testing, if required. Please ask your insurance company if a second opinion or pre-certification is required before surgery. We will be happy to provide the information you will need to contact them.
Telephone Calls
The office staff have been trained to answer many of your questions. If they are unable to answer your question, they will obtain the answer from the physician and relay it to you as quickly as possible. However, for the doctor to interrupt a patient exam to answer every phone call would be unfair to the patient under treatment and cause long delays in the schedule.
Insurance
Insurance companies are responsible to you, the policyholder, not to the doctor. As a courtesy to you, our office can file your claims with your insurance company, saving you paperwork. However, we do not determine the amount of coverage you will receive. This is done by your insurance company. Any questions you may have concerning your insurance benefits should be directed to your insurance representative
We cannot accept responsibility for collecting your claim or negotiating settlement on a disputed claim, accident or legal case. In some situations, insurance companies will pay for visits that were already paid by you. If this occurs, we will refund your money as soon as possible.
Billing questions should be directed to the Billing and insurance Department at 793-7437.
What to do if You Do Not Have Insurance
If you do not have insurance you are responsible for the payment of your medical care. Spectrum Medical, Inc. requires that you pay $300 up front towards your first visit and then making payment arrangements with the Insurance and Billing Department for any additional services needed.
Credit Policy
It is the policy of Spectrum Medical, Inc. that payment is due at the time services are rendered. For your convenience, our office accepts cash, credit cards and personal checks. If extenuating circumstances exist, alternative payment plans must be discussed in advance with the Billing Department. Fees charged in this office are comparable to those charged by other orthopedic surgeons in this area.
Third Party Liability
Liability action against someone else is not a reason to delay payment. Payment of the bill is the responsibility of the individual who has received the treatment, not the individual who is being sued.
Workers Compensation
If you have been injured on the job, we require an authorization in writing from your workers comp carrier, adjuster or employer stating that they accept financial responsibility for your medical care. Otherwise, payment must be made at the time of service.
Medicare
We participate in the Medicare program. We are required to submit our charges to Medicare and payment will be made directly to us. However, you are responsible for any deductibles, coinsurance, and services that Medicare will not cover.
Emergency Care
At night and on weekends, one physician in the group is on call and will handle emergencies. The physician on call can be reached by calling 793-2111. Our 24-hour answering service will take the information and the doctor will return your call. If necessary, you may go to the Emergency Room of Danville Regional Medical Center where hospital personnel will contact the physician.
Prescriptions
Prescriptions and refills are issued during office hours only. During evenings and weekends, it is difficult for the physician on call to determine whether a prescription or refill is indicated if he does not have your medical record. To have a prescription refilled, please call during office hours. It is advisable to call 72 hours before a refill is needed.
Medical Records
We are in full compliance with HIPAA regulations; therefore, your medical record is confidential. It will not be given to anyone without your written consent. You must sign an information release form before we can release your medical records. You may call the medical records clerk at 434-793-4711.
