INSURANCE POLICY
While we are in network with most major carriers (Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Health Care, Aetna, Cigna), we may not be in network within specific policies and plans offered by those carriers. Our experienced front-office staff works hard to verify that Dr Jennings is in network with specific policies; however, it is ultimately the patient's responsibility to have verified this information before the initial visit in order to ensure that Dr Jennings is in network with your specific insurance, and that your insurance will cover any and all services. If your insurance does not cover services for contracting reasons, financial responsibility becomes the patient's.
Copays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket amounts are expected at the time of check-in.
It is also important for patients to keep up with deductibles, out-of-pockets, and plan changes during the renewal period of established policies because insurance companies can and often do change certain terms and conditions without prior notice to beneficiaries.
While we are in network with most major carriers (Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, United Health Care, Aetna, Cigna), we may not be in network within specific policies and plans offered by those carriers. Our experienced front-office staff works hard to verify that Dr Jennings is in network with specific policies; however, it is ultimately the patient's responsibility to have verified this information before the initial visit in order to ensure that Dr Jennings is in network with your specific insurance, and that your insurance will cover any and all services. If your insurance does not cover services for contracting reasons, financial responsibility becomes the patient's.
Copays, deductibles, and any out-of-pocket amounts are expected at the time of check-in.
It is also important for patients to keep up with deductibles, out-of-pockets, and plan changes during the renewal period of established policies because insurance companies can and often do change certain terms and conditions without prior notice to beneficiaries.
PRESCRIPTION POLICY
Given the nature of problems treated at our practice HCSM has a high volume of prescribed medications. As such, we have established a protocol for prescriptions which maintain the integrity and standards of good medicine and patient safety.
Important Note: any pain-management patient being treated with pain medications will have to sign a pain contract and will be subjected to random drug screens.
Notice: insurance companies constantly change what medications they will cover for their beneficiaries. As such, there may be medications that insurance refuses to cover even though Dr Jennings has prescribed it. In these instances, patients must call their insurance provider and ask for a "formulary" -- which is a list of medications insurance will cover -- and bring the formulary in for Dr Jennings to review so that he may prescribe a comparable, covered medication. Patients may also want to bring in this formulary prior to the office visit. Our office does NOT perform "prior authorizations" for prescribed medications.
Given the nature of problems treated at our practice HCSM has a high volume of prescribed medications. As such, we have established a protocol for prescriptions which maintain the integrity and standards of good medicine and patient safety.
- Initial prescription: In order to be prescribed any medicine patients must initially come in to be evaluated by Dr Jennings. After that Dr Jennings will either write a prescription which can be taken to the pharmacy or sent in electronically by the end of the day.
- Refills (non-opioids): patient has pharmacy electronically submit to our office a request for refill.
- Refills (opioids): patient must come in to see Dr Jennings for each refill.
Important Note: any pain-management patient being treated with pain medications will have to sign a pain contract and will be subjected to random drug screens.
Notice: insurance companies constantly change what medications they will cover for their beneficiaries. As such, there may be medications that insurance refuses to cover even though Dr Jennings has prescribed it. In these instances, patients must call their insurance provider and ask for a "formulary" -- which is a list of medications insurance will cover -- and bring the formulary in for Dr Jennings to review so that he may prescribe a comparable, covered medication. Patients may also want to bring in this formulary prior to the office visit. Our office does NOT perform "prior authorizations" for prescribed medications.
REQUESTING MEDICAL RECORDS
To request medical records, patients must first fill out a request form. We try to have records ready within 24 hours but it may take up to 72. Medical records are billed according to state guidelines.
To request medical records, patients must first fill out a request form. We try to have records ready within 24 hours but it may take up to 72. Medical records are billed according to state guidelines.