The following tips can help you, the patient, contribute to a more smooth overall health care experience.

When scheduling your appointment . . .

• Provide complete and accurate insurance information to your doctor's office.
• Contact your insurance company if you have any questions on benefits. Often there is patent responsibility associated with annual physical exams as lab work is ordered by your physician for medical reasons and there is a coinsurance. 
• When scheduling your annual physical exam, it is important to know and understand that a physical exam is limited to an evaluation of the body for screening purposes. It does not include management of existing conditions, diagnosis of new conditions, prescription management or extensive counseling by the clinician. 
• When a patient has a physical exam and also has an acute or chronic issue that is discussed and/ or treated, it is appropriate to bill for more services and can result in co-payment or out-of-pocket expenses as determined by your health plan. 

Before going to your appointment . . .

• Obtain all necessary referrals required by your insurance plan.
• Check with your insurance company to determine any applicable out-of-pocket expenses including co-payment, deductible and coinsurance that you will incur for the visit.
• Check with your insurance company to determine if there are exclusions from coverage including physical exams or preventive care.

When you check-in for your appointment . . .

• Present your insurance card and necessary referral information.
• Be mindful that you are expected to pay any co-payments, unpaid balances, or fees for any non-covered services.
• Recognize that uninsured patients are expected to pay in full at the time of the visit.

Post appointment financial considerations . . .

• Balances unpaid by your insurance company are due to be paid by you within 30 days of the date of your billing statement.
• Unpaid past due accounts will be referred to collection agencies and could potentially interfere with your ability to receive further care.