Appointments - Patients are seen by appointment only. However, if you have an acute problem that needs immediate care, we will make every effort to see you in between scheduled patients. Scheduled patients will have priority. Call beforehand so that we can inform you of the most convenient time, minimizing your wait. If your physician is not available, you may choose to see his partner. Patients arriving late for their appointment may be worked into the schedule, or, may be asked to reschedule.

Office Visits - For your first visit to our office, please arrive a few minutes early so that we may obtain information essential to your care. Please check in at the window when you arrive. Each new patient is asked to complete our History and Physical Sheet. This is a questionnaire on your past and present medical problems, as well as your family history. Your physician needs this information to put your current problem into perspective. Although some questions may seem irrelelvant, they all have bearing on your health and will help the physician to determine your treatment. Please be assured that all information is confidential and none of your records will be released without your written permission. If you would like for us to obtain your previous medical records from another physician, medical release forms are available at the front window for you to sign.

As you leave the office, please stop by the checkout window to get your current charges and schedule your next appointment, test, or surgery.

Insurance and Payments- We accept Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield and most HMO insurance policies.

Telephone Policy - It is not our policy to treat illness over the phone. Please make an appointment to be seen in the office. We do not prescribe antibiotics or any controlled substances (such as pain medication) without first examining the patient.

We will be happy to try to handle minor problems or questions about your care over the telephone. Our receptionist can route your calls appropriately. She will refer any medical questions to appropriate medical personnel who will seek counsel of a physician if indicated.

You will be asked to leave your phone number and a brief description of your problems or questions. Every attempt will be made to return your call promptly. However, patients in the office should and will receive priority and medical urgency will dictate the priority to which calls are returned.

Our phones are answered 24 hours a day, by office personnel or our answering service. The service automatically alerts the physician on call. Non-urgent messages received late in the day may not be returned until the next business day. Ask your pharmacy to fax us a request for prescription refills. Prescription refills will be processed by priority in which calls are returned.