Practice Guidelines and Patient Financial Policies

Prescriptions:  To allow us to serve all our patients efficiently, BGFM expects you to be responsible to make sure you have enough medication to last you to the next visit.  If you run out of a prescribed medication or forgot to ask for a refill, an office visit will be required.  If this is not possible, the doctor may authorize a refill on your prescription for a $15.00 fee as a courtesy until you can make an appointment to be seen.  Unfortunately, under the demands placed on Primary Care offices, BGFM cannot be responsible for an individual who runs out of medications or waits until they have only a few pills remaining, leaves a message and expects their prescription to be filled within 24 hours.  The expected time for a prescription refill is up to 5 business days.

Labs and Diagnostic Tests: There is a $15.00 charge for the convenience of collecting your specimens in the office (blood draw). You may request at any time to go to the lab for your blood work. Most insurances cover outside lab collection at no additional charge. All labs and diagnostic tests require a follow up visit with the provider to go over the results and insure continuity of care. No results will be given over the telephone unless directed by the physician on the day your test is ordered. It is your responsibility to make a follow up appointment to review the results with your physician.

Emergencies: Boca General & Family Medicine (BGFM) will make every effort to receive your calls and respond promptly in an emergency. If you do not receive an immediate response you should call 911 for paramedic intervention, or seek the nearest emergency room.

Appointments: BGFM will be respectful of your time and we ask you would be respectful of ours. Appointments can be scheduled online at bocageneral.com for your convenience. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment to register. Cancellations must be made with a minimum of 24 hours notice (or Friday before a Monday appointment time) as a courtesy to other patients seeking services. . A fee of $50.00 will be charged for non-cancelled or missed appointments. A pattern of non-cancelled/missed appointments may result in discharge from the practice. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to be seen unless special arrangements have been made with the office.

Forms Fees: BGFM charges for additional paperwork outside of the completion of the medical record. The following fees apply and are subject to change without notice: FMLA, immigration, disability, driver’s license, and school physical forms $25.00. Additional fees may apply at the discretion of the practice and upon notification to you.

Medical Records: The medical chart is the property of the practice. However, copies of your pertinent medical information are available upon request. The practice charges a fee for a copy of the records of $1.00 per page up to $25.00, then 0.25 cents per page after the first 25 pages.

Insurance copayments, deductibles and coinsurance: Insurance companies do not pay all fees and may exclude certain services from coverage. It is your responsibility to understand your insurance plan. All copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, or non-covered services are to be paid at the time of your visit. If we question your insurance coverage, we will ask you to sign an “Advanced Beneficiary Notice”. This states your acceptance of responsibility for all expenses even if your insurance company is billed as a service to you.

Slow Insurance Response: If your insurance company takes more than 60 days to respond to your insurance claim, we shall consider the service your financial responsibility. Please file for reimbursement from your insurance company.

Accident & Worker’s Compensation: Although BGFM is happy to treat your medical conditions, if the cause is related to an auto or work-related accident you must pay the full fees at the time of your visit.

Statement Policy: BGFM sends patient statements each month. Payments are due upon receipt of the statement. If we participate with your insurance company, the sending of a statement may be delayed until your insurance responds to the claim for services. These delays can take months. A delay does not alter our policy of patient financial responsibility, and you will be liable for all service fees. A late fee may be charged for balances that are more than 30 days old.

Collection and Bank fees: Accounts more than 90 days old are subject to transfer to an outside collection agency. These agencies charge fees. You will be liable for all such collection expenses, legal fees, and court costs. In addition, banks charge for checks that do not clear or cannot be cashed and you will be held accountable for all such fees with a minimum charge of $35.

Patient Discharge: The practice reserves the right to release a patient for any reason. This may occur for failure to meet your obligations under this document or failure to comply with the treatment plan(s) as outlined by your practitioner.