PREPARING FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

In order to have all the information about your health that the doctor may need, we suggest you do the following things before your visit with us:

• Bring a photo ID card, such as your license
• Bring your most recent insurance card
• Make a list before your visit of any questions or topics you may wish to discuss with your physician.
• Keep a diary of findings that would be helpful for your physician or nurse to know such as: recorded blood pressure (for hypertensive patients), glucose readings (for diabetic patients), or a pain record if you are experiencing severe pain.
• Bring a complete list of medications you take (or the actual medicine containers) with you to every clinic visit, including prescribed medicines and those you may take without a prescription.
• Always make a list of any medications that will need to be refilled before your next scheduled appointment and tell the nurse about the refills when you are checked in.
• It is very important that you bring copies of medical information from other doctor visits with you. Please make arrangements with your other doctor(s) to obtain copies of those charts, test results and any X-Rays that you may have had done. Bring these with you to your first visit to Surgical Associates of West Florida.

Day of Appointment

We estimate the amount of time needed for your appointment based on information given to us by your referring physician.

Because of the nature of our practice, we must frequently see patients requiring immediate attention. Therefore, we ask for your understanding when 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.

Feel free to contact the office before your appointment to inquire about schedule delays.

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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.

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Office Hours

Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

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New Patients to Surgical Associates of West Florida

New patients to Surgical Associates of West Florida should arrive 15 to 30 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment in order to allow adequate time to complete any necessary documents.

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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.

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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.

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Test Results

If an imaging (x-ray) or laboratory test is ordered during the course of your care, you will be contacted with the test results. If you have not been notified of your results within two weeks, please call our office.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

Because we are specialists, some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician. You must obtain this referral prior to your scheduled office visit. We cannot see you without this authorization. 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 and we will be happy to assist you in payment arrangements should this present a hardship.

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Emergencies

Emergency care is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 727-562-6920 after hours 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.

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