Heart Patient Information

After Hours

Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Should you call after normal operating hours (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.), the answering service will take a message and the physician on call will call you back.

Office Hours

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The physicians work by appointment only.

Emergencies

If you or a member of your family experience a life-threatening situation after hours, please go directly to the closest Emergency Department. Once there, ask the hospital to contact your Cardiologist. If you experience problems after hours and feel you need to see or speak with the doctor, feel free to call our office number 870.935.6729, to speak with the Cardiologist on call.

If an emergency occurs during office hours please call the office (870.935.6729). We will discuss your problem and decide whether you need to be seen in the Emergency Room or the office. But, if it is a life-threatening situation, go directly to the Emergency Department. If you have a non-emergency, cardiac-related problem or question, please call during office hours and consult with the nurse.

New Patient Examinations

Your first examination will be a complete cardiac evaluation, which may take an hour to an hour and a half. During the visit the nurse will obtain your history. The Cardiologist will review this along with your current records and perform a physical examination. Depending on your situation, you may require a stress test, blood work, or additional procedures.

If you have recently had blood work, a treadmill stress test, or chest X-rays, please bring those results with you. This will help to keep your expenses down. Also, please bring all current medications with you.

Credit Policy

Patients will be billed for balances that are not paid by insurance. All balances are the responsibility of the patient. If you have problems paying your account, please call the office so we can arrange a payment schedule.

Precertification

If your insurance company requires precertification for admission or procedures it is ultimately your responsibility to notify the insurance company of the scheduled admission or procedure. However, we will be happy to assist you with the precertification as long as you make us aware that it is required.

Prescription Refills

If your prescription is running low and/or you need a refill, please call to let us know. One of the nurses will verify your prescription and dosage and call it into the pharmacy of your choice.

Insurance

We file insurance claims for all our patients and will ask you to sign an “authorization of benefits” form, which designates that insurance payments will be sent directly to our office. However, you will be responsible for deductibles and co-insurance payments.