Office Policies

Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time

Bring your Insurance card and photo I.D. and insurance referral, if needed

If you have any recent films ( MRI, CT scans, X-Rays etc.) please bring them to your visit

List of all medications and allergies

Please arrive with your medical forms filled out.

We utilize a service that lets you check in before your visit. A couple of days before your visit, you will receive a text message with a pre-check-in link. We encourage you to click on the link to proceed with your pre-check-in in order to expedite your appointment process.

If your insurance company requires you to have a referral, it is your responsibility to provide us with a copy at the time of your appointment. If you arrive without your referral your appointment will need to be rescheduled.

We require an authorized letter from your workers’ compensation carrier before scheduling your appointment. If you arrive without your letter, we will reschedule your appointment.

Payment is collected at the time services are rendered. Most insurance policies require patients to pay co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. It is in your best interest to be aware of these costs. Please understand that with the numerous medical insurance policies available, we may not be aware of your exact benefits. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards (Visa/ MC/Discover and AMEX). Please see our patient and staff responsibilities for the type of insurance you are using. Also, we currently accept Care Credit. We ask patients currently uninsured or with insurance plans that may not cover certain benefits to apply for Care Credit. The website is www.carecredit.com. If additional arrangements are necessary, our billing department will assist you. A fee of $30.00 will be charged to your account for returned checks.

APPLE PAY IS NOW ACCEPTED.

MediCopy is a health information management company that has partnered with Center for Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine to ensure a more efficient and proficient process for completing your Disability/FMLA forms. MediCopy is fully HIPPA compliant and adheres to all state and federal regulations regarding your protected health information. PLEASE NOTE: There is a fee associated with this service.

Refills for medication are to be requested 48 hrs in advance. Please provide the pharmacy name, phone number and the medication that you are requesting. We will make every attempt to fulfill your request as soon as possible.

If you request copies of your x-rays, allow 24 hours of your request. You will be required to pay $5.00 for each film that is copied when they are picked up.

Center for Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has partnered with Medicopy to ensure a more efficient and proficient process for completing medical records requests. Medicopy is fully HIPAA compliant and adheres to all state and federal regulations regarding your protected health information.

To comply with federal regulations (HIPAA) our office has established procedures to make your identity and medical records secure. Your personal information is for proper medical treatment and billing purposes only. We must have on file the names of people to whom your medical information may be released (i.e., spouse, son/daughter).

When you get emergency care or are treated by an out-of-network provider at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, you are
protected from balance billing. In these cases, you shouldn’t be charged more than your plan’s copayments, coinsurance and/or deductible.

What is “balance billing” (sometimes called “surprise billing”)?
When you see a doctor or other health care provider, you may owe certain out-of-pocket costs, like a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. You may have additional costs or have to pay the entire bill if you see a provider or visit a healthcare facility that isn’t in your health plan’s network.
“Out-of-network” means providers and facilities that haven’t signed a contract with your health plan to provide services. Out-of-network providers may be allowed to bill you for the difference between what your plan pays and the full amount charged for a service. This is called “balance billing.” This amount is likely more than in-network costs for the same service and might not count toward your plan’s deductible or annual out-of-pocket limit.
“Surprise billing” is an unexpected balance bill. This can happen when you can’t control who is involved in your care—like when you have an emergency or when you schedule a visit at an in network facility but are unexpectedly treated by an out-of-network provider. Surprise medical bills could cost thousands of dollars depending on the procedure or service.

You’re protected from balance billing for: Emergency services
If you have an emergency medical condition and get emergency services from an out-of-network provider or facility, the most they can bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles). You can’t be balance billed for these emergency services. This includes services you may get after you’re in stable condition, unless you give written consent and give up your protections not to be balanced billed for these post-stabilization services.
Certain services at an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center
When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most out-of-network providers can bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed. If you get other types of services at these in-network facilities, out-of-network
providers can’t balance bill you, unless you give written consent and give up your protections.
You are never required to give up your protections from balance billing. You also aren’t required to get out-of-network care. You can choose a
provider or facility in your plan’s network. When balance billing isn’t allowed, you also have these protections:
* You’re only responsible for paying your share of the cost (like the copayments, coinsurance, and deductible that you would pay if the provider or facility was in-network). Your health plan will pay any additional costs to out-of-network providers and facilities directly.
* Generally, your health plan must:
o Cover emergency services without requiring you to get approval for services in advance (also known as “prior authorization”).
o Cover emergency services by out-of-network providers.
o Base what you owe the provider or facility (cost-sharing) on what it would pay an in-network provider or facility and show that amount in your
explanation of benefits. © Count any amount you pay for emergency services or out-of-network
services toward your in-network deductible and out-of-pocket limit.
If you think you’ve been wrongly billed, contact [/nsert contact information for entity
responsible for enforcing the federal and/or state balance or surprise billing protection laws. The federal phone number for information and complaints is: 1-800-985-3059].
Visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers for more information about your rights under federal law.

Patient Code of Conduct to Protect Staff from Harassment and Discriminatory Behavior
At Center for Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and quality healthcare services to all patients while maintaining a safe and respectful environment for patients and staff. To ensure our healthcare providers’ and staff’s well-being and dignity, we expect all patients to adhere to the following code of conduct.

1. Respect for All:

• Treat all staff, providers, and other patients with respect, courtesy, and dignity.
• Understand that all staff members and providers are here to provide care and support, and their role is essential to your well-being2.

2. Harassment Prohibited:

• Harassment of any kind, including verbal, physical, or sexual harassment, is strictly prohibited.
• Refrain from making inappropriate comments, gestures, or advances toward staff members.

3. Privacy and Confidentiality:

• Respect the privacy and confidentiality of all staff members.
• Do not attempt to access or request personal information about staff members or other patients.

4. Communication:

• Communicate your medical concerns, questions, and requests to staff members in a clear and respectful manner.
• If you have a complaint or concern, address it through the appropriate channels such as asking to speak with management. This is the surest way to have your concern be heard and appropriately addressed.

5. Disruptive Behavior:

• Do not engage in disruptive behavior that interferes with your or others’ care and treatment.
• Follow the instructions of staff members and providers, especially during medical procedures and emergencies.

6. Compliance with Policies:

• Abide by all Center for Advanced Orthopedic and Sports Medicine policies, including visiting hours, smoking restrictions, and safety
  protocols.

7. Reporting Incidents:

• If you witness or experience any harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior from any party within our facility, promptly
  report it to management or appropriate authorities.

8. Consequences of Violations:

• Violating this Patient Code of Conduct may result in a review of your continued treatment at our facility and may involve appropriate legal and law enforcement action if necessary.

By adhering to this Patient Code of Conduct, you contribute to a respectful and safe environment for patients and staff, promoting the well-being of everyone seeking healthcare services at Center for Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. We appreciate your cooperation in fostering a culture of respect, dignity, and non-discrimination within our healthcare facility.