WAYS WE CAN KEEP YOUR MEDICAL COSTS DOWN:

As you, we are aware of rising medical costs, and have a number of ways to keep your medical costs down:

• We have a reduced charge rate that is in effect when you need to be seen on a frequent basis (i.e., routine follow-ups on ear infections) or in case of serious illness.
• We can help lower your medication costs by dispensing free drug samples in the office when available, utilizing equivalent but less expensive drugs (particularly antibiotics) and allowing generic substitutions when appropriate.

  We encourage parents-to-be to come in during the last month of pregnancy for a free prenatal visit, so that we can get acquainted and answer any questions or concerns.

YOU’LL FIND WE HAVE A FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO FINANCES: Our fee schedule is available at the front desk upon request. As is standard practice, payment is expected at time of service unless previous arrangements have been made with our office. Our office accepts cash, personal checks (with proper ID), travelers checks, MasterCard, VISA, Discover and money orders.

Traci is our Administrative Assitant. She can help with  your billing questions.

Filing insurance claims is an additional service that we provide to our patients. We bill directly to most of the major insurance companies - we are also physicians for certain managed care organizations (HMO) and preferred provider care programs (PPC-PPO). Please call our office to find out if we accept assignment on YOUR insurance. If you have any questions about fees, insurance claims, or bills, our capable staff members Traci and Lois will be most willing to assist you.

Lois

If you have Medicaid coverage, remember new babies need their own Medicaid number. Call the Options Line at l-888-367-6554 to get your child assigned to Sarasota Children’s Clinic. You will be expected to pay for charges incurred when proper coverage is not in place.

  If your insurance policy requires you to meet a deductible, you will be expected to pay at time of service until deductible has been met, even though we are assisting you in filing your claims. Information obtained from your insurance company is not a guarantee of payment. Please remember that insurance contracts are made between the patient and the insurance company. Insurance companies frequently set fees that are below customary charges. Payment of the bill is therefore your responsibility.

Send us a copy of your insurance card, so that we may check your benefits before your visit. We are providers for many insurance companies; below is a sample list which is ever-changing:  

AETNA - AMERIGROUP - AVMED - BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD (Health Options, PPO PPC, Traditional) - CHAMPUS - NETWORK/ONE SOURCE/CCN - UNITED HEALTH CARE - FLORIDA MEDICAID/MEDIPASS - HEALTHEASE - STAYWELL - WELLCARE HMO - BEECH STREET - CIGNA - PHCS, GREAT WEST

If one of the physicians has recommended that your child be evaluated by a sub-specialist or have general tests done, and you are on a managed care insurance plan, please contact Rachel at our office as she will be obtaining the authorization for this to be done.