- Heart transplant recipients at increased risk for skin cancers
- Elective intra-aortic balloon pump did not reduce adverse event rate after PCI
- Key biomarkers may predict CV events, mortality
- CRT at endocardial sites may be more effective than conventional pacing
- Researchers report distinct initial atrial activation patterns in noncoronary aortic sinus-atrial tachycardia
Policies
For a complete list of office policies regarding patient care or if you have questions regarding these policies, please contact our administrative staff.
Appointment Cancellation/No-Show
Appointment Rescheduling
Financial Responsibility
Referral Practice
Prescription Refills
Form Completion
Walk-in Patients
In Case of Emergency
Appointment Cancellation/No-Show
If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment for any reason, please call and inform us at least twenty-four hours in advance. If you fail to do so, we may have to charge fees commensurate with our costs.
In particular, patients scheduled for a nuclear cardiology test will be charged $350, and patients scheduled for an echocardiography test (including carotid ultrasounds and stress echocardiograms) will be charged $250 unless the appointment is cancelled or rescheduled at least 24 hours before the test. Normally, insurance will not cover these costs, and will not be billed.
If you are going to be late for an appointment, please call as soon as possible. Patients who are late will be seen only at the discretion of the provider.
Appointment Rescheduling
Cardiology is a field prone to life and death emergencies. Our providers have a solemn obligation to prioritize care in these situations. As such, it may sometimes be necessary to cancel and/or reschedule your appointment with little or no notice if such a situation arises. We appreciate your understanding and will try to accommodate your needs as best as we can.
Financial Responsibility
The responsibility of payment for medical services lies with the patient alone. We are happy to assist you within reason with your insurance claims. However, we are not responsible for insurance companies' denials of claims for services rendered or recommended, or of requests for referrals. It is your responsibility to confirm ahead of time that services you need are approved. Payment is normally due at the time services are rendered. If you would like to discuss your options for payment, please contact our billing department.
Referral Practice
Interventional Cardiology Medical Group is consultative cardiovascular specialty practice. By limiting our practice to the treatment of cardiovascular disease, we are better able to focus our energies on these complex issues.
All patients should receive a referral from their primary doctor prior to consultation. All patients will be requested to provide the name of a primary physician at their first appointment, to whom we can forward our recommendations for treatment. Self-referred patients or patients without a primary care doctor can request a recommendation for primary care physicians at the time of their first visit, and are urged to establish care with a primary care physician expediently.
Requests to provide care which is not related to the cardiovascular system, including requests for refills of non-cardiac medications should be directed to the primary care doctor and will be provided solely at the discretion of our providers.
Prescription Refills
Good medical practice (as well as state law) dictates that patients be re-evaluated on a periodic basis prior to prescribing or refilling medications. You may be asked to schedule a follow up visit when you request a refill. If this is the case, we will make every effort within reason to assure that your medication regimen is not interrupted or that your health is not put at risk, however you must keep your follow up appointment. Requests for refills of medications which we have not prescribed will be left to the discretion of our providers. Requests for refills of controlled substances should be directed towards your primary care physician.
Form Completion
In general, forms for disability (state sponsored or private), or other school or employment forms should be directed towards your primary care physician. In the event that we are asked to fill out such a form for whatever reason, a $30 fee will apply per form. This is billed directly to you, and not to insurance.
Walk-in Patients
As a courtesy to your fellow patients, you must have an appointment to see your provider. If you are experiencing symptoms, please call the office and ask to speak with a provider prior to going to an Emergency Room. However, if your situation is acute or a true medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.
Most walk-in services are billable to your insurance and you may incur a charge for these services. Any co-payments or co-insurance will be due from you at the time of the service.
In Case of Emergency
Call 911 or go immediately to the closest emergency room. The hospital will contact our physician on call. The symptoms of a heart attack vary, so the proper place to be evaluated is an emergency department.