Frequently Asked Questions
New Patient Appointments • Procedures • Billing/Financial • Pharmacy
New Patient Appointments
What should I bring with me to my first appointment?
We ask that you bring your insurance card, your photo ID and any prescription medication you are currently taking. Please bring the actual medication bottles.
Will the doctor write a refill prescription for what I’m already taking?
Not necessarily. Often times a new patient is referred to our practice because their referring doctor feels the patient no longer needs the same medication. Our physicians will examine you and discuss your condition with you prior to determining a treatment plan. Please know, we generally do not write prescriptions for narcotics on the first visit.
Can you bill me for my office visit?
No. Payment is due at the time of service. A staff member will give you an estimate of your cost prior to your visit. Please keep in mind this is only an estimate. We will do our best to give you an accurate figure.
Should I arrive early for my appointment?
Yes. We ask that you arrive one hour prior to your appointment time to complete the new patient paperwork.
Procedures
How long will my procedure take?
Usually less than 20 minutes, but total time in the office averages one hour.
Will I receive IV sedation?
Due to the non-invasive nature of our procedures, IV sedation is not necessary. However, mild oral sedation may be prescribed at the physician’s discretion.
Do I need a driver?
Yes, you will need a driver for all procedures.
Will I experience pain after the procedure?
Most patients have no pain following their procedure; however, some may experience mild pain. You will be instructed to use ice or heat and may be prescribed over-the- counter or prescription medication as needed.
Do I need to stop taking my current medications prior to my procedure?
Some blood-thinning medications may need to be discontinued for several days prior to your procedure. Stopping your blood-thinning medication is at the discretion of the prescribing doctor.
May I eat or drink prior to my procedure?
Eating a light breakfast and/or lunch, along with drinking coffee or tea,
is usually permitted. Our staff will instruct you regarding your specific procedure.
I have diabetes. Is this a concern?
Probably not. However, you must have your blood sugars monitored following your procedure.
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Billing/Financial
Are you on my insurance plan?
We participate with most major insurance plans. If your plan requires a referral from
your PCP, you must ensure one is received prior to each visit.
How much will each visit cost me?
Most insurance plans will require only a specialist co-pay. However, some plans may require co-insurance and/or deductibles be met. If you are scheduled for a procedure you will be notified prior to the date of your estimated financial responsibility. Please keep in mind this is only an estimate. We do our best to give you an accurate figure. Co-pays or required deposits must be paid at the time services are rendered.
What are my payment options?
Cash, checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard, Discover or debit cards. Payment is due at time of service.
Are Acupuncture visits reimbursable by insurance?
Not usually. However, we offer many affordable payment options
I was involved in an auto accident. Do you accept third-party liability insurance?
Yes we do. A valid claim number and the name and phone number of your adjuster is required to file a claim. If you are unable to provide this information, you may pay the charges out of your pocket and then submit the claims yourself for reimbursement.
What types of insurance do you accept?
We accept most major health care plans. Please contact us at 706-433-0937 and speak with a representative to verify that we accept your insurance.
Do you accept patients that have been injured at work?
Yes, we accept Workers’ Compensation patients. Our Workers’ Compensation Coordinator will need to contact your adjuster to receive authorization for treatment at our facility. We ask that you provide your adjuster’s name and contact number and your claim number.
What kind of bills will I receive?
If you are having a procedure, you may receive two bills. The first bill is from the physician for his/her services. The second is a facility fee from the ambulatory surgery center. For more information on this, please contact our billing dept at 706-433-0937.
Pharmacy
Will you accept my insurance?
Yes, we accept the majority of prescription insurances plans.
How much will my medications cost at your pharmacy?
If you have prescription insurance coverage, the co-pay at our pharmacy will be the same as any other retail pharmacy, such as Walgreens or CVS.
My current pharmacy special orders my medication for me every month. Can you special order medications?
Yes, we can special order medications.
Are you a “real” pharmacy?
Yes, we are a real pharmacy. We follow the same laws and regulations as all other retail pharmacies. All of our pharmacists are licensed and we are regulated by the DEA.
Can I fill the prescriptions my other doctors write here as well?
We only fill prescriptions from Spine Care & Pain Management providers.
I take medications prescribed by different physicians and have been told to fill all my medications at the same pharmacy so the pharmacist can check for drug interactions. Will filling a prescription at your pharmacy confuse things?
It is important your pharmacist and doctor know all the medications you are taking. A new computer program in our pharmacy allows the pharmacists to check for drug-drug interactions between all your medications, even though they are not all filled at our pharmacy. Click here to learn more.
Return to the top
Frequently Asked Questions
New Patient Appointments • Procedures • Billing/Financial • Pharmacy
New Patient Appointments
What should I bring with me to my first appointment?
We ask that you bring your insurance card, your photo ID and any prescription medication you are currently taking. Please bring the actual medication bottles.
Will the doctor write a refill prescription for what I’m already taking?
Not necessarily. Often times a new patient is referred to our practice because their referring doctor feels the patient no longer needs the same medication. Our physicians will examine you and discuss your condition with you prior to determining a treatment plan. Please know, we generally do not write prescriptions for narcotics on the first visit.
Can you bill me for my office visit?
No. Payment is due at the time of service. A staff member will give you an estimate of your cost prior to your visit. Please keep in mind this is only an estimate. We will do our best to give you an accurate figure.
Should I arrive early for my appointment?
Yes. We ask that you arrive one hour prior to your appointment time to complete the new patient paperwork.
Procedures
How long will my procedure take?
Usually less than 20 minutes, but total time in the office averages one hour.
Will I receive IV sedation?
Due to the non-invasive nature of our procedures, IV sedation is not necessary. However, mild oral sedation may be prescribed at the physician’s discretion.
Do I need a driver?
Yes, you will need a driver for all procedures.
Will I experience pain after the procedure?
Most patients have no pain following their procedure; however, some may experience mild pain. You will be instructed to use ice or heat and may be prescribed over-the- counter or prescription medication as needed.
Do I need to stop taking my current medications prior to my procedure?
Some blood-thinning medications may need to be discontinued for several days prior to your procedure. Stopping your blood-thinning medication is at the discretion of the prescribing doctor.
May I eat or drink prior to my procedure?
Eating a light breakfast and/or lunch, along with drinking coffee or tea,
is usually permitted. Our staff will instruct you regarding your specific procedure.
I have diabetes. Is this a concern?
Probably not. However, you must have your blood sugars monitored following your procedure.
Return to the top
Billing/Financial
Are you on my insurance plan?
We participate with most major insurance plans. If your plan requires a referral from
your PCP, you must ensure one is received prior to each visit.
How much will each visit cost me?
Most insurance plans will require only a specialist co-pay. However, some plans may require co-insurance and/or deductibles be met. If you are scheduled for a procedure you will be notified prior to the date of your estimated financial responsibility. Please keep in mind this is only an estimate. We do our best to give you an accurate figure. Co-pays or required deposits must be paid at the time services are rendered.
What are my payment options?
Cash, checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard, Discover or debit cards. Payment is due at time of service.
Are Acupuncture visits reimbursable by insurance?
Not usually. However, we offer many affordable payment options
I was involved in an auto accident. Do you accept third-party liability insurance?
Yes we do. A valid claim number and the name and phone number of your adjuster is required to file a claim. If you are unable to provide this information, you may pay the charges out of your pocket and then submit the claims yourself for reimbursement.
What types of insurance do you accept?
We accept most major health care plans. Please contact us at 706-433-0937 and speak with a representative to verify that we accept your insurance.
Do you accept patients that have been injured at work?
Yes, we accept Workers’ Compensation patients. Our Workers’ Compensation Coordinator will need to contact your adjuster to receive authorization for treatment at our facility. We ask that you provide your adjuster’s name and contact number and your claim number.
What kind of bills will I receive?
If you are having a procedure, you may receive two bills. The first bill is from the physician for his/her services. The second is a facility fee from the ambulatory surgery center. For more information on this, please contact our billing dept at 706-433-0937.
Pharmacy
Will you accept my insurance?
Yes, we accept the majority of prescription insurances plans.
How much will my medications cost at your pharmacy?
If you have prescription insurance coverage, the co-pay at our pharmacy will be the same as any other retail pharmacy, such as Walgreens or CVS.
My current pharmacy special orders my medication for me every month. Can you special order medications?
Yes, we can special order medications.
Are you a “real” pharmacy?
Yes, we are a real pharmacy. We follow the same laws and regulations as all other retail pharmacies. All of our pharmacists are licensed and we are regulated by the DEA.
Can I fill the prescriptions my other doctors write here as well?
We only fill prescriptions from Spine Care & Pain Management providers.
I take medications prescribed by different physicians and have been told to fill all my medications at the same pharmacy so the pharmacist can check for drug interactions. Will filling a prescription at your pharmacy confuse things?
It is important your pharmacist and doctor know all the medications you are taking. A new computer program in our pharmacy allows the pharmacists to check for drug-drug interactions between all your medications, even though they are not all filled at our pharmacy. Click here to learn more.
Return to the top