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APPOINTMENTS
Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please call (406)587-0122 to schedule an appointment.
We are very concerned about your valuable time and work relentlessly at keeping to our schedules. However, emergencies can occur which might cause delays. If you are on a tight schedule, we suggest you call prior to your appointment to insure the doctor is running on time.
If you will be late or need to reschedule your appointment, please call as soon as possible so we can contact patients on our waiting list. Patients coming from out of town should call before leaving home to confirm the doctor has not been called to the emergency room or otherwise delayed.
Our goal is to make your visit as pleasant as possible and we always welcome your comments and suggestions.
TELEPHONE CALLS
Our doctor or his assistant will return your phone call when they are between exams or at the end of the day. We always try to let you know when the doctor or his assistant may be able to return your call, and all calls are usually returned within 24 hours.
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For after hour emergencies, call (406) 585-1000 and the hospital emergency staff will direct you to the orthopedist on call.
PRESCRIPTIONS
If you need to have your medication refilled, please let us know before you are completely out.
Your medication can be refilled by either calling our office at (406) 587-0122 or emailing our office. The information we will need is:
• Physician's name
• Name of medication and strength
• Pharmacy name and phone number
• Patient's phone number where they can be reached.
Please allow two working days for the doctor to authorize your refill.
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MEDICAL RECORDS
To control our billing costs, we need to charge a nominal fee up front if you need us to copy your medical records or complete special forms. Should you need a copy of records to be sent to another physician, attorney, insurance carrier or other entity, please have them request the records directly. You will need to provide them with a signed Authorization to Release Information.
Please give our office as much notice as possible to prepare the copies for you.
FINANCIAL POLICY
PAYMENT INFORMATION: Our fees for services, including office visits, surgeries, and procedures are based on the level of professional skill required; the severity and complexity of the injury or illness, as well as the time spent treating you. Please do not hesitate to inquire about the charges for our services; however a precise estimate in advance may not be possible.
UNINSURED INFORMATION: Payment in full at the time services are rendered.
MINOR PATIENTS: The adult accompanying the minor is responsible for payment.
MEDICAID PATIENTS: In order to see you we will need a referral from your primary care physician. You will need to provide your physician’s name and contact information.
INSURANCE INFORMATION: As a courtesy to you, we will bill your insurance company. Insurance companies sometimes use the phrase “usual and customary” when discussing professional and facility fees. The insurance companies set their own “usual and customary” rates based on a wide geographical area and the fees we charge may differ. You will be billed for any applicable co-payments, and/or deductibles, and/or exclusions of your insurance contract. We encourage our patients to contact their insurance company prior to any appointment, surgery, procedure, or diagnostic study (C.T. scan, MRI, etc.) to verify eligibility, coverage, and preauthorization requirements.
We ask that you realize that services are rendered to a person, not an insurance company. Hence, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to us. If we do not participate with your insurance company you will be billed for all charges they deem over “reasonable and customary”.
We are “participating providers” with the following insurance companies: Blue Cross Blue Shield, EBMS, Tricare, United Healthcare, Medicare, New West, Medicaid, and Allegiance for MSU EMPLOYEES ONLY.
MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE OR WORKERS COMPENSATION: Our billing office will also file your workers’ compensation and motor vehicle claims. You are required to provide the following information: Insurance carrier and address, Date of Injury, Claim number, Employer at time of accident (work comp only), and Adjustor and contact number. This information will ensure accurate and timely filing of your claims, without this information we be unable to submit your claim to your work comp or motor vehicle carrier and, therefore, will ask you for payment in full at time of service. If your claim is denied or not paid within a timely manner we request that you file a personal claim with your health insurance or pay the charges in full.
SURGERY AND PROCEDURES: We require pre-payment of any deductible and co-payment amounts for private pay insurance. This payment is based on information we will receive from your insurance company and our estimated charges. This payment is required prior to your surgery or procedure.
Please Note:
If you are unable to meet our payment requirements, our billing department will be happy to discuss this with you.
We accept the following forms of payment: Cash, Checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
If it becomes necessary to send your account to collections for non-payment, you will be responsible for all collection and legal fees incurred.
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SURGERY
Once you have decided to have surgery, the doctor will need to write order to specify the procedures and any tests you may need prior to surgery. To assist you with the details of your operation, our office has a surgery scheduler to help you with all the scheduling relative to your surgery.
We will complete a worksheet with all the necessary appointments and insurance information and give it to you. We can assist you with the billing of your insurance. However, it is your responsibility to pre-certify with your insurance company prior to surgery.
Surgeries are frequently done on an outpatient basis. Patients who must be admitted overnight are usually admitted the morning of surgery. Following the procedure, the doctor will give you or your family details on follow up care. We will have you back to the office within ten days to have the sutures removed and check your progress.
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