Frequently Asked Questions

Patients are encouraged to make appointments for routine well checks, physicals and follow up visits. However, if you are sick and need to be seen, we will make every effort to fit you in the schedule. It is important to bear in mind though that a when a walk in visit is fitted into the schedule, it may entail a waiting time while other regular appointments are seen. If you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, please notify us in advance. We will assist you in rescheduling.

Please bring your insurance/ Medicare card, current month Medicaid card, your driver’s license and any other medical information you may need to give the doctor. You may fill out your demographic information and the HIPAA confidentiality forms on line including your insurance information, so that we may verify your eligibility and benefits and have the information ready for you when you arrive at the office.

Alternatively, you can fill in the forms upon arrival, in which case we recommend you arrive fifteen minutes before your appointment time. Please understand that insurance companies often have long hold times that prevent us from obtaining benefit information promptly.

Please go to the insurance company page to see the list of insurances we accept. If you do not find your health insurance company included in our list of payors, please check with our office, as we are continuously adding new payors.

All payments are due at the time services are rendered. If you have insurance, we will make all efforts to verify benefits and coverage. However, co pays and or deductibles, if any, that have not been met are due at time of service.

We are a Medicare and Medicaid participating practice and accept assignment for services provided to Medicare patients. As a courtesy, we routinely file primary insurance claims for all patients. Should you provide supplemental insurance information to our office, we will also file those claims on your behalf. The deductible and insurance co-payments are the patient’s responsibility and their payment is expected at the time services are rendered.

Should your insurance carrier withhold payment or partial payment of your claim for any reason, we will be glad to assist you in obtaining an explanation from them. However, we cannot guarantee payment of your claim. Also, we cannot be responsible for negotiating fees or claims with insurance companies or any other entity. Patients are responsible for payment of medical care within a reasonable time, regardless of the status of the claim. If circumstances warrant an extended payment plan, our business office representative is available to assist you with such arrangements. Please contact the office prior to your appointment.

You will receive a monthly itemized statement showing all charges up to and including the current month. These statements will cover all services provided both in our office, and at the hospital. All patients with a current balance will continue to receive monthly statements until the account is cleared.

Please note: Claims filed to Medicare do not appear on your statement until Medicare has paid their portion of your charge(s). Any balance remaining after Medicare has paid will be the responsibility of the patient or supplemental insurance company, if applicable. If you do not have insurance, we recommend you speak to our billing office to set up a payment plan and discuss your options. Our business office representatives are always available to assist you with any questions you may have. Our business office telephone number is 281-491-2555 x110. We strongly encourage you to bring any special needs to our attention. We’re here to help you!

A reminder: Please remember to bring your insurance card(s) with you for each visit to our office. Please notify us if your address, telephone number or insurance carrier changes at any time.

As your primary care provider, we would be happy to get a referral and/or prior authorization for you, but it is necessary for the physician to see you before we can do that. Please note that insurance companies often take 4-6 working days to get that referral back to us.

If you need your medical records copied and sent to an outside entity, we need written instructions and a release from you as well as a check for the copying fee. The fee for FMLA forms is $30.00 and may take up to a week to be filled out. We are happy to fax immunization and shot records or lab results to schools/home for parent use at no charge.

Labcorp labs have an in house phlebotomist in our office, which can perform blood draws and take samples. It is thus easy to come in for routine physicals and follow ups and get tested right there. Labcorp will bill your insurance directly for services rendered.

Diagnostic office visits are required for prescriptions. The prescription will indicate the appropriate number of refills. Additional refills are not routinely authorized over the phone. Office visits are usually required.

For after hours and weekend problems we have a call-sharing arrangement with other board certified family physicians and pediatricians in the area. If you find it necessary to reach your doctor for an urgent medical problem that cannot wait until regular office hours, our answering service will forward all messages to the physician on call. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. In the event of a life threatening emergency or one in which you are in doubt, call 911 or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

• To inform the Medical Practice staff of any pertinent changes in insurance, employment, demographic information or relationships with other care/service givers.
• To arrive on time for scheduled appointments and cancel, when necessary, with a phone call.
• To provide payment for services requested and delivered by the Medical Practice not covered by insurance within 90 days.
• To notify the Medical Practice of any change in your health status.
• To follow the recommended treatment plans and inform the Medical Practice of any physical or mental impairment requiring special accommodation.
  To ask questions if directions and procedures are not understood.

• To be treated with respect, dignity and be informed of your care needs to make appropriate decisions.
• Help plan your care and make changes to it.
• Expect that teaching materials will be provided in a manner he/she can understand.
• To be informed of the Medical Practice billing process.
• To have his/her records kept confidential except when consent has been given.
• To expect services to be professional, timely and appropriate.
• To communicate your complaints to the Medical Practice Manager and expect to receive follow-up without negative repercussions or changes in service.
• To receive care without discrimination due to race, religion, age, sex, disability or ethnic origin