What should I bring to my first office visit?   BACK TO TOP
Please bring any test results, x-rays and relevant medical records to your first visit. Make sure to have your current insurance card (or insurance billing information in case of a worker's compensation or automobile accident injury), photo identification and form of payment available when you arrive.

What is the difference between an M.D. and a D.O.?   BACK TO TOP
Medical schools for medical doctors (M.D.) teach "allopathic" medicine, or the treatment of disease or other interruptions of interruptions of the body's normal functioning and interventions to restore health. Osteopathic medical schools emphasize health promotion and prevention, but in all other respects are similar to allopathic medical schools. M.D.s and D.O.s attend the same internship and residency programs and complete the same requirements to become board certified.

What is your prescription refill policy?   BACK TO TOP
We encourage all patients to monitor the quantities of their medications and request refills during their office visits whenever possible. If you need a refill on your medication before your next scheduled appointment, call our office 301-475-5555 during regular business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am. - 5:00 p.m., and leave a detailed message on our prescription line. In order to provide the best medical care, our physicians consider all prescription requests at the end of the business day, after our in-office patients have been treated. If the prescription can be refilled, we will notify your pharmacy. If it cannot be refilled we will call you to explain the reason it will not be filled. Requests for prescription controlled substances will not be accepted after hours or on weekends. If your physician is not available the day of your request, your refill may be held until he returns to the office.

When will I receive the results of my lab work or diagnostic study?  BACK TO TOP
The physician will receive the results in approximately 2-5 business days and will discuss them with you at your next scheduled visit. Please bring all films for radiologic studies such as MRI, CT Scan or Bone Scan to your next appointment. Our office will only receive a copy of the report and is not responsible for obtaining your films.

I need surgery. What happens now?   BACK TO TOP
You will receive specific instructions from your physician and our office staff during your visits or at the time a surgical date has been established with the hospital. Hospital admitting and surgical department personnel will also guide you through the process. Please call our office if you have any questions.

What is Procel Cast Liner and may I obtain it when my cast is applied?   BACK TO TOP
Until recently, conventional casting material had to be kept dry with all the attended discomfort and lack of cleanliness that entails. PROCEL Cast Liner is a waterproof, breathable, washable cast padding that replaces the standard cotton and stockinette underneath a fiberglass cast. It allows patients the freedom to continue their normal daily activities - bathing, showering, and even swimming - while healing occurs. PROCEL Cast Liner is available to our fracture patients as a convenience item and is not a part of customary fracture care. PROCEL Cast Liner fees are collected at the time of application and can not be billed to you or your insurance carrier. Pricing does not include recasting for any reason.

I am divorced and my former spouse is responsible for my child's medical services, what should I do?  BACK TO TOP
All third-party financial arrangements are the responsibility of the patient or the parent authorizing care of a minor child. We will process insurance claims if accurate insurance coverage information is provided at each visit. All estimated out-of-pocket expenses will be collected at the time of each visit from the parent authorizing care at that time. Receipts are provided so that you may seek reimbursement from the appropriate party.

How do I pay an outstanding bill?  BACK TO TOP
Every effort is made to collect your out-of-pocket expenses at the time of your visit. Occasionally, it may be necessary to send you an account statement for payment. You may visit either of our office locations to make payment in person or you may forward your personal check, money order, cashier's check or credit card payment via mail to Southern Maryland Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center, Attn: Billing, 23000 Moakley Street, Suite 102, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650

I was in an automobile accident. How is my account handled?   BACK TO TOP
All accounts are the responsibility of the patient, or custodial parent in case of a minor child, and will be collected upon accordingly. You are expected to provide your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage information and your health insurance coverage information at the time your care begins. A 20% co-payment will be collected at each visit if we are filing for PIP reimbursement, otherwise your health insurance co-payment or payment in full is expected. Please provide all required referrals and authorizations for your health insurance in the event that your PIP coverage does not cover the full cost of your medical expenses. We are happy to cooperate with any attorney that you may retain, however, your attorney is not responsible for payment of your medical bills. Southern Maryland Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center does not await settlement of a legal case for account payment.

I have a work-related injury. How is my account handled?   BACK TO TOP
All accounts are the responsibility of the patient regardless of insurance status and not all work-related injuries are "compensable" (paid by your employer's worker's compensation plan). Please contact your employer for the name, address and policy number or claim number of the worker's compensation plan that will be asked to cover your injury and submit this information to our office staff at the time your care begins. Please provide your health insurance information and all appropriate referrals and authorizations in the event that worker's compensation does not cover your treatment. If you have retained an attorney, please request that he/she forward written requests, with your signed authorization, for medical records and bills to our insurance and billing team. Please remember that your attorney is not responsible for payment of your medical bills. Work-related injuries that are found not compensable are the financial responsibility of the patient.