Office Policies and Information

Monday –Friday 7:00am-4:00pm

Lunch 12:00pm-1:00pm

 

LATE OR MISSED APPOINTMENTS

 

• If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call the office 24 hours prior to your visit so we may fill the appointment space. If you arrive late for your appointment, you may be asked to reschedule or be moved to a later appointment time depending on our schedule availability. If you simply do not show up for your appointment, you will be billed a $50.00 no-show fee.​

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ANNUAL WELLNESS EXAMS (PHYSICALS)

• If you are here for your Annual Wellness Exam (AWE), and would like to address a complaint/problem your copay or deductible/co-insurance will apply to the visit. While an AWE is generally covered without an out-of-pocket cost to you, once a complaint/problem is addressed your copay or deductible/co-insurance does apply.

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CLINIC NOTES

 

• We strive to provide the best quality of care to our patients however; it is not always possible to accommodate everyone’s scheduling needs. Taking this into account please DO NOT call or text the provider directly, as this does not allow us to provide adequate patient care or maintain a professional relationship with all of our patients. ALL communication must be done solely through the clinic or via your patient portal.

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MEDICATION REFILLS

 

• Please request medication refills 5-7 days in advance by contacting your pharmacy and speaking directly to a person. We recommend requesting refills from a mail order pharmacy at least 2 weeks in advance. Please do not wait until you have taken your last pill. Some medication refills may require an appointment to be seen by the provider. Certain medications may require pre-authorization from your insurance company and this process can take up to 72 hours. If you LOSE your prescription you will have to make an appointment for another prescription and pay another office visit.

 

OFFICE COMMUNICATION

• Our office prefers to use electronic means including our text messaging platform and our patient portal to notify patients of lab results, reminders and other important office information. Please allow 2 weeks to receive notification of your lab or test results. I understand that this office cannot be responsible for information loss or delays that are due to technical factors beyond this office’s control.

 

LAB CHARGES

• As a convenience to our patients, we provide a Quest lab draw station in our office. Charges for most lab tests, including pap smears are not included in the charges from our office and are billed separately by Quest and will be collected at the time of service. These charges are NOT included in your regular statements from Friendswood Family Medicine. It is your responsibility to understand your insurance benefits for lab work.

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CO-PAYMENTS & DEDUCTIBLES

 

• Co-payments are amounts that you have agreed to pay at each office visit with your insurance company. Many insurance plans also require an annual deductible amount that is your responsibility. Payment for co-pays or deductibles is due at the time of your appointment. We accept cash, credit cards or debit cards for payment.

• Please check with your insurance company to determine whether you have a co-pay or are required to meet a deductible. It is your responsibility to confirm with your insurance if we are in or out of your network and if the service you request is covered by your insurance.

• You acknowledge full responsibility for the payment of such services and agree to pay at the time of your visit. You also, understand that insurance coverage is an arrangement between you and your carrier. We will bill your insurance company as a courtesy however; you are ultimately responsible for payment should your insurance fail to pay within 90 days.

• It is your responsibility to inform us of any changes in your insurance, telephone numbers and address. Insurance companies give us 90 days to file a claim, therefore, if we bill the wrong company because you failed to provide the correct information the office visit will be your responsibility. We understand that temporary financial problems may affect timely payment of your balance and we encourage you to communicate such problems to us so that your account can be properly managed.

• We make every attempt to code and file claims accurately according to the services rendered and your healthcare provider’s documentation in your medical record. We are required to code and bill for the type of visit that is performed not the type of visit that is scheduled. Laws regarding insurance and abuse prohibit us from changing your procedure and/or diagnosis code in order to get the claim paid.

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MISCELLANEOUS POLICIES 

 

• We reserve the right to cancel your care due to conduct, non-cooperation or non-payment. You will be given notice legally dismissing you from our practice and be asked to find another provider.

• We do not accept walk in appointments.

• Please allow adequate time for a return phone call. Messages taken after 3:00pm may not be returned until the next business day.

• Please note that messages sent through the patient portal may take 3-5 business days to be answered.

• Anyone under the age of 18 must either be accompanied by an adult or have written authorization from a parent to receive medical treatment.

• Reaching out through multiple channels—such as text, portal, and phone—can make it difficult for us to respond efficiently and accurately to your needs. Choosing one method helps us serve you more effectively.

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