BILLING POLICIES
Referral Management
We thank you for referring your patients to AHA, the premier Central New York location for treating patients with arthritis and auto-immune diseases!
Referrals for medical services must be initiated by another medical provider. Please do not hesitate to call our office to start the referral process at (315) 422-1513 option 2.
We must have your patient’s medical records (reason for the referral, radiology exams, lab test) prior to the date of their appointment. Please fax new patient medical records to (315) 422-8518.
We strive to make sure that you receive regular updates on your patient’s progress once they have been established with us. We look forward to working together as a team to offer your patients the highest quality of care.
Copayments / Insurance Deductibles and Billing Guidelines
Co-payments and insurance deductibles represent the portion of our services that patients must pay out of pocket. Such payments are required by the patient’s agreement with the insurance payer. We are contractually obligated to collect them. We are not allowed to waive co-pays or deductibles. Medicare law requires collection of deductibles and co-payments, and waiver of such payments constitutes fraud. To comply with our contracts, we require payment in full at the time of services including any co-payments and deductibles. Any payment past due must be made before the next scheduled visit can proceed. This means that if you have not paid your prior co-payment or deductible, your visit may be rescheduled until payment is made.
If we do not participate with your particular insurance company, as a courtesy we may submit your charges to your insurance company. If your insurance company does not pay the full amount due to AHA, you will be billed for the remaining balance.
If you are a new patient and you do not have insurance we require $200.00 at the time of scheduling the appointment and payment in full the day of the appointment.
Patients that require payment arrangements may set up a budget plan with our billing department ONLY if they provide an active credit card or checking account. The information will be securely kept on file and will be processed based on the specific plan.
There may be additional charges added to your account to collect any unpaid bills, including but not limited to: late fees; reasonable attorney fees; court costs and collection agency fees. Additionally, there will be a $25 service charge to your account for all returned checks.
We invite you to call our office to pay your personal balance, we participate will all major credit card companies.
Please review your billing statement and contact our dedicated billing staff at (315) 422-1513, option 6, for any questions or clarification of your account. Please note that you will receive a statement from us within 30 days after your insurance has paid (if a balance is due). We encourage you to call to discuss payment plan options if you are unable to pay your account in full.
No Show and Late Cancellation Appointments
In an effort to provide quality care to our patients, we must utilize our time efficiently. When a patient makes an appointment, time is set aside for their needs, and work is performed to prepare their record for the visit. When a scheduled visit is not completed, there is a loss for another patient who could have used that available time, as well as wasted staff time. Therefore, we ask that when a scheduled visit cannot be met, it be cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the time of the appointment. For late cancellations or not showing for a scheduled appointment, a $50 fee may be charged.
OFFICE POLICIES
Switching Doctors with AHA
All doctors at AHA are fully qualified in the practice of rheumatology. If you have a preference for a particular physician please let us know when scheduling the first visit. Every reasonable attempt will be made to accommodate your preference. In order to maintain continuity of care and avoid “opinion shopping” within the practice. Subsequent requests for switching doctors are not allowed.
Civility
At AHA, we choose to live and work in a culture of service supported by an atmosphere of mutual respect, human dignity, patience, and civility. The expression of these values is expected consistently from everyone including staff, physicians, patients and their families. Failure by our staff to follow this policy will result in corrective action and potential discharge from care. Abusive or demeaning behavior towards our staff or physicians by patients or family may result in our withdrawal from the patient’s medical care.
Complaints, Praise and Ideas
The Staff at AHA is dedicated to providing the best rheumatologic care possible in an experience of efficiency and respect. We are continually in the process of improvement. We welcome your input on how we can do a better job.
Participating Health Plans
We participate is most health plans other than: Marten’s Point, Worker Compensation, Medicaid or No-Fault Insurance.
We are not accepting New Patients for Tricare.