What to Expect
We strive to make each visit informative, helpful, friendly and comfortable. Our providers and staff will work with you to learn your needs, understand your concerns and health issues and partner with you to improve your health and ultimately your quality of life.
At your first visit, your gastroenterologist will get to know you and review your symptoms, evaluate your needs and determine next steps. When appropriate, Atlantic Gastroenterology will collaborate with your primary care or referring physician to customize our approach to your care.
Your Office Consultation
Initial consultation and subsequent follow up care is provided in our office. Please bring along any reports, x-rays, and pertinent records with you for our physician’s review. We have several forms that we also will need you to complete at this first appointment, which you can do in advance by downloading them from our website.
A typical initial consultation usually includes:
- Obtaining a full medical history about you
- Physical examination
- Discussing our recommended plan of treatment
If a procedure is deemed necessary as part of your treatment plan, it will be scheduled at the conclusion of the consultation. The procedure will be scheduled at either our Endoscopy Center or Vidant Medical Center, formerly known as Pitt County Memorial Hospital. A full report will also be sent to your care primary care provider as we feel it is important to keep them informed about your care every step of the way.
Insurance
We accept Medicare and most commercial insurances. Our office will help in filing the necessary insurance information, but your involvement is often helpful and essential. Your insurance may pay all, some, or none of your bill.
At the time of your visit, you need to provide our office with the correct insurance information, including your insurance card to be copied. We ask that all co-insurance and deductibles be paid at the time the service is performed. We will perform courtesy billing for you, provided you have given us all pertinent billing information.
Your insurance coverage is an agreement between you and your insurance company. Financial responsibility rests with the patient for deductibles, co-insurance and non-covered services. We accept cash, check and payment with Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
You may receive a separate bill for pathology, labs, anesthesia and x-rays. Your payment for these services should be sent directly to that facility.
Contact us with any insurance or billing questions or concerns as our staff is eager to address them promptly so you can focus on your healthcare.
Pre-Certification
If your insurance policy requires pre-certification before any procedure or hospitalization, please notify our office several days prior to your visit or admission, so that pre-certification can be obtained. If pre-certification or authorization is required and not obtained, it is the patient’s responsibility to pay for the cost of the procedure and any other costs of their care.