Preparing for your appointment
Before arriving for your appointment, please make sure you have the following items with you:
- A photo ID, such as your license
- Your most recent insurance card
- List of all current medications – including prescribed medications and over the counter medications.
- The phone number to the Pharmacy where your prescriptions are filled. (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart etc.)
- Make a list before your visit of any questions or topics you may wish to discuss with your physician.
- It is very important that you bring copies of medical information from your other doctors. Please make arrangements with your other doctor(s) to obtain copies of those charts, test results (labs) and imaging results (CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Mammography etc.) that you may have had done.
Click on a heading below for additional details:
Day of Appointment
We estimate the amount of time needed for your appointment based on information given to us by your referring physician. We do ask that you please arrive at the time provided during the scheduling of your appointment.
Because of the nature of our practice as surgeons, we must frequently see patients requiring immediate attention. Therefore, we ask for your understanding when an emergency causes an unavoidable delay. Emergencies always receive priority, and you can be assured that you will receive the same prompt care if you should require it.
Appointment Cancellations
If the need arises for you to cancel an appointment, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance. We want to be able to reschedule your visit in order to assure that your medical needs are met. Also, if you cancel your appointment in advance, we may be able to offer that appointment to another patient who is waiting to see one of our physicians.
Because of the nature of our practice as surgeons, there may also be a time when we will need to cancel your appointment because of an emergency. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause but we will do our best to get your appointment rescheduled as soon as possible.
Office Hours
Our office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
New Patients to Surgical Associates of West Florida
New patients to Surgical Associates of West Florida should arrive 30 – 45 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment in order to allow adequate time to complete any necessary paperwork. In order to keep appointments on schedule paperwork needs to be completed prior to your appointment time.
If your Physician has Referred you to Surgical Associates of West Florida
Surgical Associates of West Florida is committed to working closely with your primary care physician and will send your doctor information regarding your visit, test, and / or procedure. Please let us know who would need this information along with the telephone number and address when calling for an appointment.
Concerns or Questions
Do not hesitate to call us when you have concerns or questions.
Our staff has been trained to direct your questions. However, if you need to consult with a physician, we have set aside a portion of our schedule to return telephone calls, usually after patient hours.
Visit our Contact Us page for contact information.
Prescriptions
Please call for phone prescriptions during office hours and have the name of the medication and telephone number of the pharmacy available. This is best done during the day so that your medical chart can be reviewed. In addition, you can have the pharmacy fax over a refill request to our office. Fax #727-712-1853.
Medical Records
Your medical record is confidential and contains privileged information. We will not release any information about you without your written permission to do so.
If you have any advance directives, such as an Advance Medical Directive or a Living Will, please provide us a copy for inclusion in your medical record.
To help keep your medical record current, please advise us of any changes in your name, address, telephone number or insurance carrier at the earliest opportunity.
Payments
Co-Payments
You are required to pay your co-payment, co-insurance, and deductibles at the time of service. You will be billed for any non-covered services after we receive notification from your insurance company.
All surgical deductibles are required to be paid 48 hours prior to your surgery.
Forms of Payment Accepted
For your convenience, Surgical Associates of West Florida accepts the following forms of payment:
- Cash
- Money Orders
- Personal Check (we do not accept third party checks)
- Credit Cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa)
- Debit Cards with the Mastercard or Visa logos
Billing & Insurance
As a courtesy to our patients, our insurance specialists will file all office and surgical procedures with your insurance company. Please bring your most recent insurance cards and/or any changes in your plan coverage to every appointment. We participate with Medicare and many HMO and PPO plans.
Click here for list of insurance plans accepted by Surgical Associates of West Florida.
Because we are specialists, some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician. If a referral is not obtained prior to your appointment, your appointment will have to be rescheduled.
If your insurance requires a co-payment, this is due at the time of your appointment. Our staff is happy to accept cash, money order, personal checks (payable to Surgical Associates of West Florida), American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa.
Please remember that any balance not covered by your insurance company is your responsibility. Please contact our business office at #727-712-3233, Option #5 and we will be happy to assist you with payment arrangements.
Emergencies
Emergency care is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For after hour emergencies, call 727-562-6920 and our answering service will contact the doctor on call for you. If your situation is critical, please dial 9-1-1, or go to the nearest affiliated hospital and have the emergency room contact us.