Appointments and Scheduling

Please bring the following items with you to appointments:

  • Your insurance card or other health coverage information. Some insurance carriers require you to have a referral or primary care physician authorization before treatment is given. Please check with your carrier if you are in doubt.
  • X-rays or MRI’s, written MRI report and other imaging studies (if available).
  • Clinic notes or operative reports from your referring physician that relate to your condition.
  • Medication list.

Please note that we receive many calls daily. Your call may go to voice mail if all our lines are busy. We will returns calls based on their level of medical urgency.

Patient Forms

The following forms must be downloaded, printed and filled out for every visit.

Download New Patient Packet
Download Follow Up / Post Op Forms

Emergencies

If you or your referring physician believes you should be seen immediately, we will try to make the necessary arrangements. If you have a problem after our normal business hours, then please call our Santa Monica office at 310.582.7474 and the operator will notify the physician on call with our group to contact you.   Waiting times: We strive to minimize any wait on the part of our patients. Occasionally emergencies do arise, and you will be informed promptly of any delay in your appointment. Please realize that delays are not intentional and that we do try to minimize your inconvenience. Cancellations: If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, we request that you call at least 24 hours in advance to cancel so that we may schedule another patient for that time.
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Surgery

The decision to proceed with surgery is serious and mixed with both hope and anxiety. Surgery holds the potential for wonderful benefits balanced with some risk. Patients need to be informed, and to be fully aware of their disease process, their prognosis, and their options.  Our preoperative education classes offered through Saint John’s Nursing are a critical component – educated and informed patients heal better. Patients and families are invited to meet the team of nurses, social workers and therapists who will participate in the postoperative care period. Common concerns related to rehabilitation, home recovery, anesthesia, pain control, and others are addressed in a supportive environment. Questions are answered and preparations for recovery can be made prior to surgery. In this away, much of anxiety and mystery of surgery can be resolved.   Call the office at 310.582.7474 to schedule attendance.

Billing Information

We accept Medicare and all major commercial insurers, including Blue Cross, Aetna, Blue Shield, United, HealthNet, Cigna, and others. We are an In-Network provider for most all insurances.

Because of the complexities and differences in insurance company coverage, it is best for you to discuss your particular insurance coverage with your insurance agent. Please do not hesitate to ask about projected costs of anticipated surgery and office charges. We also have staff available to answer frequently asked questions.Our fees reflect not only our physicians’ knowledge, experience, advice and surgical skill, but also the medical staff time, equipment, supplies and overhead costs of maintaining our surgical service.

Please remember to bring your insurance card to your appointment, and alert the office if your insurance information needs to be updated. You can call the office to confirm that Providence Medical Institute is a provider under your coverage.

Insurances Accepted:

  • Aetna PPO/POS/EPO
  • Anthem Blue Cross PPO/POS/EPO
  • Blue Shield PPO/POS/EPO
  • Cigna PPO/POS/EPO
  • Health Net PPO/EPO/POS
  • Medicare
  • Oscar Health Plan EPO
  • Saint John’s Health Clinic Medical Group HMO
  • Scan Senior Health Plan HMO
  • United Healthcare PPO/POS/EPO

PCP referral: Please review your insurance policy requirements to determine if you need a referral from your primary care physician prior to your visit. Call before you arrive to confirm that all needed referrals have been received.

Prescription Refill Policy

If you need a refill on your prescription, you may call our office at 310.582.7474 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please have the name and dose of the medication, the pharmacy with telephone number to call in to, as well as a number where you can be reached if any questions should arise. We make every effort to expedite all requests, but please be aware that we are also seeing and treating patients. All refill requests may take up to 48 hours to be filled. Check with your pharmacy to determine availability. Refills may not be made after business hours or on weekends.