Frequently asked questions for Office appointments.

  1.  Do I need a referral?   Our office requests a referral for consultation to ensure that you are seeing us for appropriate reasons, to facilitate getting your prior test results so that these are not repeated unnecessarily, and to ensure that your insurance will cover your visit and any procedures scheduled. Many insurance plans require a written referral request from your primary care physician to cover the cost of care delivered by a specialist.

 2.  Do I need to see the physician in the office before my procedure? For patients having gastrointestinal symptoms- YES.  This ensures that you are having the test performed which best addresses your problem, and allows us to obtain preauthorization with your insurance company if necessary so that it will be covered.  However, certain situations (Open Access Endoscopy) may allow for same day visits and procedures.  These are usually arranged prior to you visit by a call from your primary care physician.

“Open Access Endoscopy”:  This is a program that allows new patient referrals directly to the endoscopy unit for screening procedures; such as screening colonoscopy. These patients generally do not have significant other medical problems, or have problems that are stable.  You or your referring physician can request an “open access” visit.  One of our nurses will call before the scheduled date to review the patient’s history and answer any questions about the procedure.

 3.  If I have seen Dr. Heath before, do I still need a referral? Under most circumstances- NO.  You may call to schedule an appointment.  If your insurance has changed, or if it has been more a long time since having been in the office, you may be instructed to call your primary care physician to update or get a new referral for insurance purposes.  Please let the office staff know if your address, name, or insurance has changed so that your records and account may be more easily located.

 4.  Do I need to call the insurance company to get pre authorizations?  No.  Our office provides that service for our patients.  However, if you have any concerns about coverage or payment, it is always a good idea to discuss that with our staff before services rendered.  We can try to answer any questions about coverage or payment at that time.  From time to time, we may ask that you discuss any special situations with your insurance representative to help facilitate scheduling or payments on your account.

 5.   What do I need to bring for my first visit?  You will need to bring your insurance information.  You also will need to bring a list of medication allergies and current list of medications that you are taking- including prescription and other-the-counter medications.  If you have difficulty reading or writing, you should bring someone with you to help facilitate the history taking.  Also, we encourage you to view and print a copy of our PATIENT’S PERSONAL HISTORY form on this website, to complete and bring with you as a means of time saving once you come to the office.

 6.  Is your office equipped to serve patients with disabilities?  Yes.  Our facility meets ADA requirements.  We would ask that any special needs (lifting, stretchers, and interpreters) are mentioned to us prior to your visit, so that special arrangements may be made ahead of time.

 7.  Do I need to be fasting before my appointment?  NO- unless you have specifically been told to do so by our office staff. 

 8.  Can I still be seen if I do not have insurance?  Our office is happy to see all patients referred to us regardless of insurance status.  If you are paying for services yourself, you will need to discuss payment with our billing coordinator before, or at the time of your initial visit.

 9.  Do you see pediatric patients?  Our practice is limited to adult medicine.  From time to time arrangements are made with referring physicians to see younger patients, but this is arranged on an individual basis.  We discourage referral of patients under 16 years of age.

10.  Can I have my prescriptions refilled over the phone?  Requests for medications that have been prescribed by our physicians can be taken over the phone.  These may be mailed to you, or called into your pharmacist.  It is important that our patients call in plenty of time to receive these.  If it has been a year or more since the prescription was written or you were in the office, you may be asked to make an appointment to see the physician.  Requests for narcotics or other controlled substances are not taken over the phone.