FAQs

General

Appointments

Medical Records

Prescriptions

Billing and Insurance


General


What are your office hours?

This office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our telephones are answered by our answering service (New England Baptist Hospital operators) before 9:30 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. as well as during lunch between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

How do I get in contact with someone in an emergency?

If you are having an emergency, please call 911 or present to your emergency room. We are a specialty office and see patients on an appointment basis only.

What kind of pain or injuries does NEOSS treat?

This practice is limited to the specialty of Orthopaedic Surgery, which is the care of the musculoskeletal system: bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and related structures. Within the field of Orthopaedic Surgery, we further subspecialize in the management of spinal disorders. Our physicians have been Board Certified, or are Board Eligible, with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery.

Do I need a referral from another physician?

This depends on your health insurance plan. Most HMOs do require a referral, whereas most PPOs do not. If your insurance requires a referral, it is the responsibility of the patient to obtain the referral from the primary care physician. If we cannot verify that a valid referral is in place at the time of service, patients will be asked to sign a “waiver of liability” and ultimately be responsible for payment of our full fee.

Do you see patients who have been injured in the workplace?

Our orthopedic doctors welcome patients who have sustained an "on-the-job" injury (workers' compensation) with proper approval. We negotiate our fees with workers' compensation insurers in advance of treatment. We ask that patients provide complete information so our staff can obtain written approval prior to treatment. Quite frequently, workers' compensation information changes and it is the responsibility of the patient to advise our staff pertaining to these changes. In addition, if you employ an attorney at any time during your course of treatment, please advise our staff in writing. Once you are an established patient and you sustain a work-related injury for which you are requesting an evaluation by our physicians, please notify our staff prior to making the appointment and we will advise you of the proper protocol.

Appointments


How do I make an appointment?

Office visits are by appointment only. This facilitates an orderly schedule and allows notification of patients in case of changes in the orthopedic doctor's schedule for that day: i.e. emergency surgery, illness, meetings, etc. Please call 617/734-2450 to make an appointment

How do I cancel my appointment?

If you cannot keep your appointment, at least 24 hours' notice should be given to this office to cancel the appointment. This courtesy on your part makes it possible to give an appointment to another patient who desires to see the orthopedic doctor.

Do you conduct telephone consultations?

Yes, we provide telephone consultations to existing patients. When calling this office, please leave your name, telephone numbers and reason for calling. Our office staff will make every effort to assist you. If your problem or concern requires that you speak with the doctor, he will typically return your call before or after regular office hours within 24 hours.

How long does it take for me to get in to see a provider?

We make every effort to get our emergent patients in to see a provider as soon as possible. For all routine visits, we are able to offer you the next available office visit. We do have a cancellation list and please let our schedulers know if you would like to be called to possibly come in sooner.

How long will I have to wait to see the doctor after checking in?

We do our absolute best to make sure you get in to see your provider at the time of your scheduled appointment. Occasionally, however, there are circumstances that may arise, that may cause your Doctor to be running behind schedule. We will, however, make every effort to get you in as quickly as possible and to alert you to any changes in schedule as they happen. If you feel you have waited longer than necessary, please feel free to check with the front desk.

If I come earlier than my scheduled appointment time, can I get in to see the doctor earlier?

We cannot guarantee you will get in any earlier simply because we see all scheduled patients first. However, we may occasionally have a cancellation or a no-show, which may allow the provider to work you in earlier than your scheduled time.

If I walk in, can I be seen?

No. We do not have walk in hours. Please call our office number to schedule an appointment.

Medical Records


What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring your completed patient forms with you for your visit. These can be mailed to you or found here on our website. Also, please bring a copy of your valid insurance card. In addition, if you have any diagnostic imaging studies, such as x-rays, MRIs or CT scans, these are helpful for your initial appointment.

Do I need to bring my diagnostic images with me when I come to my first appointment?

Yes, if possible. The doctors like to see the latest images taken, whether it is x-rays, MRIs or CT scans, therefore, it is helpful for you to pick up copies and bring them with you to your first appointment.

Prescriptions


How do I refill my prescription?

There are many painful orthopaedic conditions which require the use of prescription medications. The doctor will attempt to prescribe the appropriate amount of medications necessary until your next office visit. If it appears that you may need a prescription refill before your next appointment, please contact this office in writing, allowing time for processing and mailing of your new prescription before your present one runs out. This is especially true for narcotic pain medications, which cannot be prescribed over the phone or refilled on weekends due to strict control by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency).

Billing and Insurance


How much will my visit cost?

Our staff has a list of all fees for visits and services rendered by this office. We do our best to keep all medical costs down and request that co-pays be paid at the time service is rendered. Our staff will be happy to discuss the fees with you and provide an estimate of proposed fees for hospitalization or surgical procedures.

What health insurances do you accept?

We accept most commercial and governmental health insurance plans and will bill them directly for you but we may or may not be in network with your specific plan. Please contact your insurance provider for details on your coverage.

Do you bill my insurance?

If we are contracted with your medical insurance, we will submit your claim directly to the insurer. However, we may not be considered a "preferred provider" on your particular plan, which means your insurance may not pay the full amount. You can contact your insurance company (the number should be on the back of your card) to inquire about your specific benefits.

Why do you verify insurance coverage at every visit?

We verify your coverage at every visit because it helps to eliminate billing problems later on. Many times, we may not have seen you in some time, and your insurance company may have changed. We do this with your best interest in mind, because if we did not verify your coverage, you would be responsible for the bill if there were to be a problem with your insurance. Our staff also verifies all patient demographic information and eligibility on the date of service. Please carry your insurance card with you at all times for verification and notify us of any insurance changes prior to treatment.

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