What do I do when I arrive for my appointment?
Each time you visit our office, you will be asked to register with the receptionist. Please notify the receptionist of any change of name or address, telephone number, employment or insurance information. Please provide us with your most current insurance identification card. New patients will be asked to fill out a Patient Information sheet to help us better understand your present and past medical problems. Forms are available by mail or via our web site. We recommend you complete these forms prior to your appointment.
What can I expect when I have a question?
The office staff has been trained to answer many of your questions. If they are unable to answer your question, they will obtain the answer from the physician or their assistant and relay it to you as quickly as possible. However, for the doctor to interrupt a patient exam to answer every phone call would be unfair to the patient under treatment and cause long delays in the schedule.
Where do I get information about my insurance coverage?
Insurance companies are responsible to you, the policyholder, not to the doctor. As a courtesy to you, our office will file your claims to your insurance company as long as we accept an agreement with your insurance company. However, we do not determine the amount of coverage you will receive. Your insurance company determines the amount of your coverage and you should be aware of your benefits prior to all office visits and services. Any questions you may have concerning your insurance benefits should be directed to your insurance representative. Billing questions should be directed to our Billing and Insurance Department.
How do I pay for office visits and other services?
It is policy that payment is due at the time services are rendered. For your convenience, our office accepts cash, credit cards and personal checks. If extenuating circumstances exist, alternative payment plans must be discussed in advance with the Billing Department.
When should I call to get my prescriptions and refills issued?
Prescriptions and refills are issued during office hours only. During evenings and weekends, it is difficult for the physician on call to determine whether a prescription or refill is indicated if he does not have your medical record. To have a prescription refilled, please call during office hours. It is advisable to call 48 hours before a refill is needed or use our prescription renewal service on this website.
What are the warning signs of a bladder problem?
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Leakage of urine, which prevents activities.
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Leakage of urine causing embarrassment.
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Leakage of urine which began or continued after an operation (hysterectomy, cesarean section, prostate surgery, etc.).
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Inability to urinate (retention of urine).
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Urinating more frequently than usual without a proven bladder infection.
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Needing to rush to the bathroom and/or losing urine if you do not arrive in time.
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Pain related to filling the bladder and/or pain related to urination in the absence of a bladder infection.
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Frequent bladder infections.
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Progressive weakness of the urinary stream with or without a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
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Abnormal urination or changes in urination related to a nervous system abnormality such as stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, etc.
I think I have a urinary tract infection. What should I do?
Please contact our office and speak with a nurse regarding your symptoms. Generally speaking, you will be asked to make an appointment to come in to the office at which time your urine will be examined, your will meet with a physician or one of their assistants, and if necessary, an antibiotic will be ordered for you.
What is acute urinary retention (AUR)?
Some men find that they are suddenly unable to pass urine even though they feel the urge to do so. This is because the bladder muscles have to strain to push urine through the narrowed urethra. This situation can be very painful. You will need to visit your doctor or hospital to have a catheter inserted. A catheter is a slim plastic tube that is gently passed up through the urethra into the bladder to drain away the urine.
What causes benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?
As men get older their prostate gets bigger. The increase varies from man to man. The medical term for an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
