patient information

Patient Information

Welcome to our practice.  We appreciate the opportunity to serve your health care needs.  The following information is intended to provide a brief overview of our practice’s policies and procedures from scheduling your appointment to billing.  To aid us in providing you complete services and for your safety, please bring all your current medications including prescribed and over the counter medications.  You may also contact our office staff by phone at (713) 341-2100 Option 2 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and we will be happy to answer your questions.

New Patient Forms: 

Click Here to go to the Patient Forms page

Appointments:

Patients are seen by appointment only.  Please schedule an appointment for all office visits.  All patients should arrive 5 minutes prior to your visit to complete any necessary paperwork before your scheduled appointment time.  Please bring your insurance card and picture ID.  It is important to arrive on time for your visit.  If you are more than 15 minutes late, your appointment may be rescheduled. 

Please describe your symptoms to the receptionist or nurse so that a convenient appointment can be scheduled for you and your doctor.  Patients who walk in without an appointment will be seen as soon as one of the providers becomes available.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, please notify the receptionist as soon as possible to avoid one of the following No Show fees:   $50.00 for an office visit       $75.00 for a physical exam

Telephone Calls & Prescriptions:

Our staff is available to answer the phone during regular business hours.  Our employees are instructed to handle all incoming calls.  The doctors are usually very busy seeing patients and our nurses are qualified to answer questions.  This is to ensure each patient’s time with his/her physician.  When you call our office and ask us to return the call to you, we try to do so on a timely basis.  It is helpful to advise us of a telephone number where you can be reached both during the day and after hours.

If you require a refill of a prescription, please contact your pharmacy directly, so that your fill request can be submitted electronically.  Prescription refill requests can be sent using the Patient Portal once you complete the patient registration process. You may also contact our office for prescription refills.  If you choose to call us for a refill, our staff will need the following information:  your full name, date of birth, name of the medication(s), dose, and pharmacy name and phone number.  Please allow 48 hours for all refills.

Certain medications cannot be refilled over the phone.  Some prescription refill requests may require an examination prior to approval. 

Fees & Payment:

Office Visits:  We make every effort to control the cost of our services.  An important way we accomplish this is by eliminating the need for mailing statements.  Therefore, we request payment at the time of your visit.  You may pay by cash, check or the following credit cards:  American Express, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

Insurance:  Town & Country Family Physicians participates with most major insurance companies.  Please provide your insurance card to the receptionist when you check in for your appointment and also provide your insurance information when you make your appointment.  We will gladly verify your eligibility and file a claim with your insurance company on your behalf. 

Providing your insurance information in advance will help speed you through check in at the time of your appointment.  Not all services will be covered by every insurance plan including preventive care.  If you have questions about specific benefits, please contact your insurance company.  Keep in mind that benefits are not a guarantee of coverage/payment until the claim is processed by your insurance company.

Medicare:  If you are a Medicare patient, your charges will be billed to Medicare by this office.  We are a non-participating provider.  Payment is required at the time of service.  You are required to have a valid Medicare identification card in your possession at the time of your visit.

You are responsible for your deductible, coinsurance, co-pay and for any non-covered charges that your insurance/Medicare does not cover.

After Hours/Emergencies:

For medical problems after regular business hours, the on-call physician can be reached through our answering service.  Please call (713) 341-2100 and follow the directions.  If it is a true emergency call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room where the physician on duty will begin treatment and notify your doctor.

Hospital Affiliations:

• Memorial Herman Memorial City
• Methodist West Houston

Referrals:

Depending on your insurance plan, the referral authorization process may take 5-7 business days.  Many insurance plans require the patient be evaluated by the primary care physician before any referral; including request from specialist can be authorized.  Contact your insurance company for specifics on how your insurance handles referrals.

Test Results:

Patients will be notified by secure messaging (once you register for our Patient Portal Services) or in writing.  Please allow 10 business days for your provider to review your lab results.  If you have not received notification of your results after 10 business days, please call (713) 341-2100 Option 2. 

Services Fees:

• Return checks – $35.00
• No show fee – $50.00/$75.00
• Prior Authorizations – $25.00
• Disability/other type of forms – $25.00
• Medical records – reference to our office policies for medical record fees
• Administrative fee for Medical Supplies & Biohazard disposal.  $2.00

Administrative fee will not be billed to your insurance company.