Our Policies
Punctuality
Striving to stay "on time" benefits us all. It decreases stress and makes us all more efficient. Physician, office and surgical emergencies impact schedules and result in unpredictable waiting periods.
You can help by accurately and completely advising the scheduler why you are scheduling an appointment. The length of your appointment time is based on your discussion with that staff member. The schedulers operate under clearly defined guidelines. If you schedule an appointment for a routine follow-up, and then you advise the doctor that a new problem has occurred in the last week while you are in the exam room, the schedule is impacted. Feel free to call and update our scheduler if you feel you will need more time with the doctor than you originally planned. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Canceled or Missed Appointments
As mentioned above, there are times when we reschedule because you are running late or our physicians have been called away to an emergency. If you would notify our office in a timely manner, there would be no charge and we can use that appointment time for another patient. As COURTESY, we make every effort to remind you of your appointment. Stating that you did not receive a reminder call does not negate your responsibility to keep or cancel your appointment. If by chance you forget your appointment and do not call to cancel within 12 hours of appointment time we can elect to charge you a missed appointment fee. If you miss multiple scheduled appointments without notice, we may elect to release you from the practice.
Delay in Seeing the Physician
Sometimes for reasons beyond our control, the physician may run behind schedule. We make every effort to maintain our schedule and minimize any inconvenience to you. However, emergencies do occur and people do not get ill on schedule. When delays are unavoidable, we ask for your understanding. If necessary we will gladly reschedule you or ask if you would like to be seen by another qualified practitioner.
Prescription Refills
Prescription refills WHICH INCLUDE NARCOTIC REFILLS are provided during office hours only. If you are currently taking a medication and need a refill please call the pharmacy directly. They will fax your request to our office. As you are taking your medication please pay attention to the amount left in the bottle, especially close to weekends or the holidays. We need at least 48 hours to follow through with your refill request.
If you need to talk to the nurse or reach the prescriptive refill voice mail box before you have the medication refilled please have all pertinent information needed. The nurse will need
Name of medication
Prescription number on the bottle
Pharmacy
Phone number
If you have not seen the physician during the last six months, you will be instructed if you need to schedule a follow-up appointment in the office prior to any refills.
Test Results
Depending on the laboratory and or type of test you have performed, it takes anywhere from a few hours to weeks for our office to receive results by fax or phone. When calling it is very helpful if you provide us with the following information:
Name of test
Where the test was performed
The date the test was performed
The name of the doctor who ordered the test
Once the clinical staff receives the results, they will be forwarded to the appropriate physician and you will then be notified. Our doctors are not always able to return calls as quickly as they would like. They determine priority, and results cannot be released until THE DOCTOR reviews them. The Urology team physicians prefer to review most test results with you in the office. The process will vary with each MD. When labs are required you will be given specific instructions for obtaining the results.
X-Rays
If you have been referred to us by another physician and have x-rays or scans elsewhere, please pick them up and bring them to our office at or before your appointment. This will prevent duplication of services and more importantly you will be able to be seen by the physician.