Preparing for My Appointment
We want your visit to Middle Georgia Orthopaedics (MGO) to be as pleasant as possible. Here are some things you can do prior to your arrival at our office to enhance the experience.
Upon arrival at MGO, please go to the registration desk and sign in with the receptionist. If this is your first visit and you have not pre-registered online, you will be asked to provide information for registration including insurance information. To save time, you may fill out a form to pre-register online here. If you have visited our office in the past, please notify our receptionists if there has been any change in your address, telephone number, or insurance coverage.
After completion of the registration process, you will be seated in the adjoining waiting area until you are called to the exam area. Listed below are important things to be aware of that might help you be more prepared for your visit to our office:
It is important that you bring your current insurance card with you to each and every appointment. We require a current copy in your account file; therefore the registration staff will scan it for our records.
If you have a child insured by a parent or guardian not living in the home, please obtain the insurance card or a copy (front and back) of it in advance to bring with you. Any additional guardian information is also necessary.
Please bring a list of all medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins, etc.
Coordinate your transportation in advance and plan adequate time to arrive on time for your appointment.
Patients under 18 years old cannot be seen without a parent or guardian present for the initial visit. Parents must sign the consent for treatment.
Please be prepared to pay all co-payments at each visit. If you do not have insurance, please be prepared to make payment in full.
If your care is being paid for by a third-party liability coverage, please bring all pertinent information with you (case number, address, phone number, contact person, etc) This includes MVA information.
If your injury is work-related, pre-authorization is required before an appointment is scheduled. Any caller (patient, case manager or employer) wanting to schedule an appointment under Workers' Compensation must fax certain information to us at (478) 953-4616. The company accepting financial responsibility must provide the following information on its company letterhead:
- Patient's full name
- Claim number
- Case Manager's name and telephone number
- Workers' Compensation name and address of where to mail the patient's billing statement.
If you do not speak English, please ask a bi-lingual adult to attend the appointment with you to communicate and complete the necessary paperwork. MGO provides Spanish interpreters only. It is our recommendation that the person interpreting for you be at least 18 years of age or older.
Come prepared with questions. Write your questions and concerns down in advance. We encourage you to document all responses to your questions. This will help facilitate communication and understanding.
Because we realize the value of your time, our physicians try to stay on schedule for each appointment. However, due to the nature of orthopaedic problems, some delays may occur, as some patients present more complex problems requiring extended evaluations. Should that situation arise, we ask for your understanding. You may reschedule your appointment if delays occur. We will make every attempt to reschedule you at a convenient time.
If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please notify us so that we may use the time for other patients.
Fees, Insurance and Payments
As a service to you, Middle Georgia Orthopaedics files all claims to insurance companies within the continental United States. To assure prompt processing of services, we ask for your assistance to provide accurate insurance information to us. Therefore, please present your insurance card at every visit.
Your medical insurance represents a contract between you and your insurance carrier. Depending on your individual benefits, services provided may or may not be covered by your insurance carrier. Ultimately, you are responsible for final payment or settlement on any outstanding balances. Patients are expected to pay past due amounts at the time of service.
The following are MGO time of service policies:
Participating Carriers (insurance carriers that participate with MGO)
Patients are expected to pay a co-payment or co-insurance unless that patient is covered by multiple insurance companies.
Patients are expected to pay for all non-covered services.
Non-Participating Carriers (insurance carriers that do not participate with MGO)
Patients are expected to pay 20 percent at the time of service.
Patients with out-of-country addresses are expected to pay in full at the time of service. MGO will provide you with necessary documentation needed to file a claim with your health insurance carrier.
No Insurance
Patients with no insurance are expected to pay in full at the time of service.
Medicare
Patients with Medicare coverage are accepted at MGO. Patients are required to be prepared to provide their Medicare cards at each visit.
Methods of Payment
For your convenience we accept cash, check, VISA and Mastercard.
Workers' Compensation
Workers' Compensation is billed to your employer or its Workers' Compensation insurance carrier. Please be advised that if your employer denies the claim, MGO will file your claim with your private insurance carrier. If you do not have private insurance, you are responsible for the bill.
Third Party Liability
Because of the laws regarding liability, your claim may or may not be paid in a timely manner. MGO will file with the liability carrier first. If because of legal problems they do not pay, we will then file with your private carrier. MGO is unable to wait for a resolution of a legal problem to obtain payment. Supporting documents may be requested by our physicians and staff.
Disability Claim Forms
We attempt to submit your disability claim form as quickly as possible. It is required that you complete your portion of the claim form before bringing it to MGO. There may be a nominal charge for the physician to complete these forms.
Financial Information
Interest
Interest will be charged on all accounts on patient balances over 30 days old. We charge 1.5% per month on the unpaid balance. Your insurance company will not pay interest that is charged.
Billing Statements
You will receive a monthly statement to inform you of the current status of your account. If you have any questions regarding your billing, please contact the business office at (478) 953-4563.