Information
Cape Fear Center for Digestive Diseases’ Endoscopy Unit
Our Endoscopy Unit opened in January 2003, providing a state-of-the-art facility for performing outpatient endoscopic procedures within our office facility. The AAAHC accredited office-based Endoscopy Unit focuses on quality patient care, patient comfort and convenience.
Other Facilities
Our physicians are on the staff at both Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Highsmith-Rainey Memorial Hospital. In addition to our office facility, procedures may be done at either hospital or at Fayetteville Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Appointments
Our patients are seen by appointment only. We try to see all patients on time and request that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep your appointment at the scheduled time, please try to give us 48 hours notice, to allow us to give this time to another patient. The office phone number is 910-323-2477. Failure to furnish 48 hours notice of cancellation may result in a $25 No-Show Charge.
Office Hours/Emergency Care
Our office is open Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For after-hours emergencies, one of our physicians is readily available, 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Call the regular office number at 910-323- 2477 for assistance.
Your First Visit
Your first visit will be an evaluation by one of our physicians. You will be required to complete a detailed history form and a patient information form, as well as bringing a list of all medications you are presently taking. You may wish to bring all your medication bottles with you so medication and dosages can be accurately recorded. You should also ask your referring physician to send all recent lab work and medical records to us, or bring it with you at the time of your visit (or prior to your appointment) for our doctors to review.
Outpatient Procedures
Your physician may feel you require an outpatient procedure. If necessary, our nursing staff will schedule this for you during your office visit.
Miscellaneous Information
If you have any allergies to medications, dyes, or foods, please bring this to the attention of the nurse and the physician. It is your responsibility to update this record from time to time. If you are considering pregnancy or are pregnant at the time of the physician’s evaluation, please inform the physician and nurse. Certain medications and procedures may be contraindicated during pregnancy. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with our care.
Telephone Calls
We encourage you to call with questions you may have concerning your health care problems; however, it would be unfair to other patients if the doctor were to disrupt treatment to answer every phone call. Our staff is trained to answer most questions; however, if your call requires that the doctor speak with you, our staff will take a message and the doctor will return your call at the earliest opportunity. Please call during office hours for all prescription refills and non-urgent problems.
Fees/Insurance
On every visit to our office, we need you to bring your current insurance card(s) so accurate information may be obtained to expedite claim filing. We accept most insurances and are happy to file your insurance claim for you. However, at the time of your visit you will be expected to pay any co-payment, deductible, or other expenses not covered by your insurance. Payment may be made by cash, check, VISA, Mastercard, or American Express. Please call our office in advance if this will be a problem. Many Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) or other managed care coverages' require prior approval for medical services. If your insurance is one of these programs or if you are unsure, please call our insurance department prior to your visit. Self-pay patients are required to pay 50% of charges on the day of service, with the remaining 50% due within 30 days. Payment plans (installments) can be arranged for patients with no insurance and patients with balances after insurance. Please feel free to discuss this with our Administrative Services staff. You are ultimately responsible for all your medical expenses, and we look to you to pay any balances not covered by insurance.
