General Questions
Where is your office located?
Please see the Contact Us / Locate Us page for information such as our address, phone number, etc.
What are your office hours?
We are open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Who do I call after hours?
We have a physician on call 24 hours a day. For non-emergency, urgent needs, please call our main number at (281) 290-6300 to speak with our answering service, who will relay your information to the physician on call. For life-threatening emergencies, please contact 9-1-1.
With which hospitals are we affiliated?
We currently work with the following hospitals/surgery centers: Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center, Houston Northwest Medical Center, Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, North Cypress Medical Center, St. Luke's The Vintage Hospital, and Tomball Regional Medical Center.
Which credit cards do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Do you accept debit cards?
Yes, as long as the card has a Visa or MasterCard logo.
Do you perform Lap-Band adjustments on patients who had their surgery by another physician?
Yes, but these cases are evaluated on an individual basis.
Do you see children?
We do not see children under the age of 5 and refer all patients with surgical congenital abnormalities to a specialist surgeon.
What do I need to bring to my first appointment?
Please bring your Driver's License (or a photo ID) and your insurance card with you. We require a photo ID for all patients over 12 years of age. Students in middle school & high school should bring their school ID for identification purposes. For patients under 12, we will require ID from their parent or legal guardian.
Do I need to show my insurance card every year?
Yes, insurance plans change frequently and we need the most accurate information in order to file your claim.
Can I get my test results on-line?
No, not at this time.
Do we make payment arrangements?
We require payment at time of service. In special circumstances or instances of economic hardship, alternate payment arrangements can be made in advance on a case-by-case basis.
How do I get medication refills?
Please notify your pharmacy a minimum of 3 days in advance of when you will run out. After your pharmacy contacts us, a routine refill will be phoned or faxed in within 24 hours. Medications that require a doctor’s authorization or signature may require additional time. Refills might also require a follow up appointment be made, in which case, medication would be refilled only until the scheduled appointment.
Medical Records Questions
Do I need to fill out a release to get a copy of my medical records?
Yes, to comply with HIPAA regulations, we are required to have a signed request by the patient on file to release your medical records. You may request your medical records by a simple letter containing the following information: patient name, social security number, date of birth and address. Also, please specify if you want your entire medical records or only records for specific dates. You may submit your request by mail, by fax (281) 290-6302 or bring it with you to your next appointment.
Can a family member pick up the records?
Yes, as long as you have a signed release on file and have included the family member’s name on your list of authorized persons.
When can I pick them up?
We require a minimum of 48 hours advance notice for copying medical records.
Insurance Questions
What insurance plans are you on?
We accept all major insurances. While we may not be a participating provider in your insurance program, we will be happy to file claims on your behalf for out-of-network benefits.
Am I responsible for getting a referral for office visits?
Yes, if your insurance plan requires a referral to see a specialist, then you are responsible for obtaining it. Contact your Primary Care Physician to facilitate this for you. Once obtained, you may either fax it to us (281) 290-6302 or bring it with you to your appointment. Also, please make sure we have your Primary Care Physician’s correct name, address and phone number on file. If you do not have a referral, we can reschedule your appointment until it is received or you can see the physician but will be required to pay for services rendered.
Do I need to call about my benefits prior to the visit?
While it is not absolutely necessary that you call to verify your benefits, it is always a good idea. The more you know about your own insurance plan, the better it can serve you.
Some questions you should ask the insurance company are...
- What are my deductibles/co-pays and how much has been met for this year?
- What is my out-of-pocket expense, after my deductible & co-pay have been met?
- Do you cover weight loss surgery or does my plan have an exclusion for bariatric surgery?
- Do you require a physician monitored program prior to approval for weight loss surgery? If so, what does this involve?
- What benefits do I have for outpatient procedures?
Lab Questions
Where do I go for labs?
While the most frequently used labs in this area are LabCorp and Quest (now also LabOne), please check with your insurance company for their list of contracted facilities.
Do I have to make an appointment to go to the lab?
No, it is not necessary to make an appointment. The closest LabCorp is located at the Atrium Professional Building at 425 Holderrieth Blvd. in Suite 102, and they are open from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The closest Quest Lab is located at 13406 Medical Complex Drive, Suite 170 and they are open from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
When will I get my lab results?
Most clinical lab results take 5-7 days to be received and reviewed by the doctor. We cannot give out results prior to review by your physician. We will call all patients whose results need immediate attention. If you do not receive your results within 10 days, please contact the office.
