Your First Spine Surgeon Office Visit

We request that all new patients pre-register prior to their first visit by completing the Spine Questionnaire. Please download here.

Don’t forget to bring all diagnostic studies images to your appointment. This can be hard films or electronic medium such as CD with the original DICOM data (Not JPEG or TIFF).

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: What should I bring to each office visit with my spine surgeon?

A:  It is important that the physician have all diagnostic studies (X-rays, CT, Myelograms, MRI), to review.  A report from the radiologist only is not sufficient, and the diagnostic radiology departments will provide you a copy of the actual films or the originals for you to bring to your office visit.  They should not refuse you a copy of your records.

 

Other things to bring:

  • Your insurance card.
  • List of all medications
  • Information regarding all significant past medical history.
  • An updated authorization from your primary care physician (PCP) is required at each visit.  Some authorizations will span a number of office visits.  Without this, your office visit may be prolonged awaiting authorization.

 

Q: How long will it take for test and treatments ordered by the doctor to be scheduled?

A: It may take 1-3 weeks due to multiple check points.  We work very hard to schedule your test and treatments in a timely manner.  Most insurance companies will require a doctors report from our office prior to authorization which could take 2-3 days to become available.  All other delays are related to the insurance company authorization process and the testing or treatment facility schedule. There will not be a delay if you are not using your insurance to pay for the testing.

 

Q: After my tests are completed, what do I do about the results?

A: After the diagnostic studies are completed, you must request a copy or the originals to bring to your follow-up office visit.  Allowing the radiology department to mail or courier your studies to the office will usually result in the studies not arriving in time for your appointment, or not arriving at all.  Due to the complex nature of spinal disorders, the physician will only explain the results of the diagnostic and laboratory studies during your follow-up office visit.  It is not possible to effectively explain the diagnostic study results or treatment options by telephone.  Exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis.

 

Q: How do I reach the physician if I have questions or a problem?

A: I will be available to return calls Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays for those patients who wish to speak with me directly by calling 295-3923.  Expect delays if I am seeing patients while in clinic.  Please refrain from calling after hours unless it is an emergency.  Otherwise my medical assistant will be available to answer any of your questions during regular office hours between the hours of 11am and 6pm Monday through Thursday.  Feel free to leave a message or send an email and your message will be returned within 3 business days.  IMPORTANT: We often return calls from the hospital and other locations where caller ID is blocked. You must accept calls from blocked numbers if you want any member of the office staff to reach you!

If you believe you are having an emergency, call 911 emergency services or go directly to King Edwards Memorial Hospital and have the hospital staff notify me of your arrival.