Appointments

We see patients on an appointment basis. This is convenient for patients and staff. We also see patients without an appointment when necessary, and sometimes, unforeseen surgical situations arise that could delay an appointment. Whenever possible, you will be fully informed of any delays. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please let us know so that we may modify our schedule and be of better service to our other patients.

Telephone Calls

Patients are encouraged to call with any questions they may have. Our office personnel will answer the telephone from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The answering service will answer at all other times and will direct your call to our physician on duty in case of an emergency. Our office staff has been trained to answer many of your questions and will also relay your information to the doctor. The doctor will speak with you if needed, at that time, or call you later if he is unable to leave his patients or he is in surgery. We do not refill prescriptions on weekends.

Complaints

We sincerely hope that you will have no occasion to register a complaint. However, your criticism and suggestions are encouraged, and this is best relayed to the office manager at 251.433.1895. By listening to your thoughts, ideas and suggestions, we can continually make the necessary changes to provide you with the best possible medical service.

Emergency Care

Emergency situations arise, and we will do our best to respond to your problem promptly. In the event of a severe emergency, go immediately to the emergency room of the nearest hospital and ask them to contact your doctor. If the situation is not that severe, but one in which you wish contact with your doctor, please telephone and the doctor will be in touch with you either directly or through office personnel giving you instructions on how to proceed.

Fees and Payments

We have set our fees at a reasonable level based on community standards. If you have questions about our fees, please feel free to discuss these with our bookkeeping or insurance personnel. You can help keep down the cost of your medical care by paying upon completion of each visit. Sending statements increases our costs and affects our fees. Other arrangements can be made with our office manager depending upon special circumstances. It is important that you notify us of any change in your address.

Hospital Affiliations

Our physicians have hospital privileges at the following medical facilities:

• Mobile Infirmary Medical Center
• Providence Hospital
• Springhill Memorial Hospital

Initial Visit

On your initial visit, please bring your insurance cards, identification (driver's license), and referrals from primary care physicians. Also, be prepared to share your medical history with our physicians. This will include any medical conditions you have or may have had in the past, surgical history, any medications (prescriptions or over-the-counter) you are currently taking (include name, dosage and frequency), and any allergies you have to medications or foods.

Insurance

We participate in most of the plans that are available to members of the community. As a courtesy to our patients, our insurance clerks will check on any plan about which there is a question.

We try to simplify the preparation of insurance claims, thereby holding down costs that are unrelated to the delivery of good medical care. We will gladly file your insurance claims for you at the time of each office visit. If we are furnished with the correct address we will mail your forms to the company for you. Otherwise, they will be mailed directly to you to forward to your insurance company.

However, please remember the responsibility for payment of fees is the direct obligation of the patient. We request monthly payments while your insurance is pending. We are happy to refund any overpayment made by you once we receive your insurance payment.

If we have filed an insurance claim and no payment or rejection notice has been received within sixty days from the date of filing, we suggest that you contact your insurance company about the delay. We know questions can arise on insurance matters and these should be discussed with our insurance clerks. Their private in-office number is 251.432.3054. They will be happy to assist you in any way possible.

Referrals

Many of our patients are referred to us by other physicians. It is very important that your primary care physician be kept aware of your condition. Please write the name of your referring physician on the personal data sheet that you will be given by one of our receptionists.

Privacy Practices

Notice of Privacy Practices for Urology Associates of Mobile, PA
Our Notice of Privacy Practices describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. An acknowledgment form has been provided at the end of the notice. Please review it carefully.