BLUE RIDGE PEDIATRICS, LLP PATIENT OFFICE AND FINANCIAL POLICY
Please read this information carefully as it explains, in detail, the patient’s office and financial responsibilities of our practice. Any questions regarding this policy may be discussed with our office manager.
Current Information
As a patient at Blue Ridge Pediatrics, LLP, you are required to notify our staff of any changes in your patient information, such as insurance, benefits, employer, patient name, home address and/or contact numbers. You are required to present your current insurance card(s) at each appointment.
Professionalism
Parents and patients are asked to conduct themselves in a professional manner. This office does not tolerate profanity. Anyone displaying abusive behavior will be asked to leave the practice.
Office Visits
At the Blue Ridge location, we offer scheduled appointments between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. We are available for sick appointments. We are also available on Holidays for emergencies only.
Please consider your child under the care of the Blue Ridge Pediatrics team. It is important for you and your child to be seen by all our physicians at least one time. After you have met all of us, and as appointments permit, we will try to accommodate you if you request a certain physician for both well and sick childcare.
Patients are asked to sit either in the sick room or well room after they check in. Please do not sit in the well room if you are seeing a physician for a sick visit. Once patients are brought to the exam room, they are asked to remain in the room until the physician has completed their exam. Please refrain from standing in the halls. If your child has a rash, please advise the receptionist immediately upon check-in so we can escort you to the treatment room.
If you need a prescription refill, please let the physician know before your appointment is over.
If your appointment is canceled because of an emergency, you will be notified.
Self-referrals
It is important for your primary care physician to be aware of any specialists you/your child may be seeing. If you/your child has been seen by any specialists without a referral from our practice, please be sure to notify your physician. You may be asked to complete a records request form in order for our office to obtain any records from the specialist(s).
Procedures for calling after hours
1. If it is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
2. For other medical advice, call 919-782-0021 to reach our voicemail system. Press one (1) for emergencies and a physician will return your call within 15 minutes. Press two (2) if you can wait up to an hour for a call back from the physician.
3. When you leave a message, please be certain to speak slowly and clearly. Be sure to leave your name, patient’s name and age, and a telephone number at which you can be reached.
Forms
Please allow 5 – 7 business days for forms to be completed by a physician. Parents are asked to completely fill out their section(s) of the forms before dropping them off to be completed. There is a minimum charge of $25.00 to complete forms and letters if they are not completed at the time of the appointment.
Inclement Weather
In the chance of inclement weather, please visit our website at www.blueridgepediatrics.com and click on the link to abc11.com for updates and notifications on closings or delays.
Payment at Time of Service
If your insurance plan requires you to pay a co-payment, it will be collected at check-in. Patients who fail to bring their co-pay may be required to reschedule their non-urgent appointment. If you are a self-pay patient or your insurance information cannot be verified prior to your appointment, you will be required to pay in full at the time of service. If your insurance plan requires payment of an annual deductible and/or co-insurance i.e. (80/20 plans), payment will be calculated and due at checkout. We accept cash, personal checks and credit cards. Patient payment plans are also available, if needed, by contacting our billing office prior to your appointment at 919-741-4918.
Cell Phones
We ask that patients refrain from using their cell phones in our office.
Parental Financial Obligations
We are not responsible for mediation between parents. The parent that brings the child to the appointment is responsible for any balances and payments due on the account.
Claims Filing
As a courtesy to our patients, we file claims with your insurance company and also coordinate benefits with secondary payers. You will be responsible in the event the claim is disputed or unpaid.
Our office does not accept discount cards. Patients are expected to pay for their visit at the time of service.
Patient Billing and Collections
Patients that receive statements from our office are expected to remit payment in full upon receipt, unless previous payment arrangements were made with our billing office. If your account must be referred to an outside collection agency for non-payment, a fee equal to 25-30% of the outstanding balance will be added to your account to cover the expense incurred from the agency. The fee percentage varies based on the amount of the outstanding balance. Patients being sent to collections will receive a dismissal letter from the practice giving them 30 days for emergency care and to find another physician. If you receive a billing statement that you do not understand, please contact our billing office at 919-741-4918 for assistance so that the account can be resolved.
No-Shows
Patients that fail to come to their scheduled appointment and do not notify our office of the need to cancel the appointment will be charged a $30.00 no show fee. This charge will be the patient’s responsibility; insurance companies will not pay this charge. Please notify our office 24 hours in advance of a well-child visit and 1 hour in advance for a sickchild visit if you cannot keep your appointment. After you incur 3 no shows with in 1 year, you will be asked to leave the practice. Patients are required to arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment time. If the patient arrives late it is up to the doctor’s discretion whether the patient can be seen or not. If not, you may be asked to reschedule the appointment.
Returned Checks and Fees
An amount of $30.00 will be charged for a returned check. Personal checks will no longer be accepted from patients that write two bad checks and payments will then need to be made in cash, credit card, or money order.