Making Appointments
Routine visits are by appointment only. We do offer same day appointments. If you have an emergency call 911 or go to your nearest hospital.
Medical Records and Confidentiality
All your medical records are confidential. We will release the records or any part of them only if you give us written authorization. No matter what the circumstances, we will not release your records unless we have notification that you wish us to do so. Medical records are legally the property of our office. However, we are happy to make 1 set of photocopies of your records at no charge and send them to another physician of your choice. Please provide us with at least 48 hours advance notice of when you would like to pick up your records. Repeat copies of medical records needed by insurance carriers or attorneys should be requested in writing by the carrier or attorney. There will be a charge for this information, and we will make every effort to respond promptly to these requests. There is a $15 charge for you to obtain your records for your personal use.
Security of Patient Information
We would like to reassure patients of Piedmont Preferred Women’s Healthcare Associates., that we are HIPAA compliant including the HIPAA Security Phase. Our physicians have made the financial and IT personnel commitment to maintain our data security and integrity. Our in-house designated data security officer is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the required security policies and procedures set forth in the HIPAA Security Phase. Our data security officer ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of all electronic protected health information our practice creates, receives, maintains, or transmits. Our backup tapes are encrypted and password protected, and they are taken to the bank daily. Our electronic health records are also electronically backed up on remote servers. At Piedmont Preferred Women’s Healthcare Associates we take information security seriously.
Returning your Phone Calls
We welcome and encourage you to call the office if you have a problem, or question, or if you need to get in touch with us for any reason. Please make non-emergency calls between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm when your records are readily available. When you call our office, the office assistant will either schedule an appointment or direct your call to the proper person. If the person you are calling to speak to is with another patient or on another call the office assistant will take your call and relay your message. Your call will then be returned as soon as possible. If you call after hours or between our lunch hours your call will be forwarded to our answering service who will then relay your message to one of our staff.
Our Staff
Each staff member of Piedmont Preferred Women’s Healthcare Associates has been carefully chosen and trained to assure you of the best possible obstetric and gynecologic care. As professionals, we function as a team, each of us doing our part. As a patient, you too are a part of our team. Your confidence in us is greatly appreciated and we hope it will grow the more you know about us. We encourage you to ask questions in order to clear up whatever doubts or concerns you may have. By maintaining open lines of communication, your experience with us will be pleasant, constructive and fulfilling. It's an experience built on understanding.
Fees, Payment Policy and Credit
Like you, we are acutely aware of the crisis in healthcare costs. Therefore, we make every effort to keep our fees fair and reasonable, and we review them frequently to make sure they remain appropriate. We have standardized fees for various procedures, and these are listed in the office, and are available to you at all times. In an effort to keep these costs reasonable, our policy is to receive payment at the time of your visit. If you have any questions about fees, or if your desire to arrange a payment schedule for obstetrical care, please feel free to discuss this with the business office staff. The fees for obstetrical care include 13 prenatal visits, 2 ultrasounds, 1 Non-Stress Test, your delivery and your visit six weeks following delivery. Additional tests and procedures which are prescribed will be charged for at the time of service. If a cesarean birth, tubal ligation and/or circumcision are performed, an extra charge is made for the particular surgical procedure. Whatever the circumstance, we will work with you for a mutually satisfactory arrangement.
