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Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQs Q. What is the doctor going to do at my appointment? A. Our appointments begin with a brief interview by our nursing staff. Weight and blood pressure are checked along with a urine specimen and the nurse records a brief history in the medical record. Following that an ultrasound examination is usually performed by one of our trained and registered obstetrical sonographers. Once the sonographer has taken the basic measurements and observed the standard anatomy, then one of the practice physicians will personally review all images already obtained. The physicians then typically like to spend some time both taking further history from the patient as well as performing part of the ultrasound exam ourselves. We hope to be able to answer all questions within the time period allotted for a visit. Often times patients will require further testing such as a fetal nonstress test which is also performed in our office or further laboratory testing which can be performed in our office depending on the type of test. Q. How long will it take for me to get my test results back? A. Results of an ultrasound examination are discussed at the time of the visit. This includes all findings whether they are reassuring or concerning. The length of time it may take for a different lab test will depend upon the test that is required. Results from an amniocentesis, for example, are usually ready within 1-14 days. Most other lab tests are also available within that two week time period. It is common that we may not call a patient with a normal result; however an abnormal result will certainly cause us to contact the patient by telephone or to contact the referring OB/GYN. Q. Do I need to do anything special for my appointment? A. You will need to bring a copy of your driver's license or picture ID, insurance card, and have the New Patient Information Packet completed. If your OB/GYN did not provide you with this New Patient Information Packet it can be found on the bottom right hand corner of our Homepage. Print each page and fill out completely as this will expedite your waiting time. Q. How long will my appointment take? A. Your appointment may take anywhere from half an hour to 2 hours, depending on your diagnosis and the procedure(s) the doctor needs to perform. Q. Am I supposed to go back to my regular OB health care provider? A. Yes, you should keep all appointments as originally scheduled with your OB provider unless specifically directed otherwise. Q. Does a normal ultrasound prove that my baby will have no abnormalities? A. Ultrasound technology has come a long way in the last ten years but there is still a limit to what can be found by ultrasound imaging of a baby. Many structural abnormalities can be visualized on an ultrasound examination however some abnormalities traditionally are very difficult to see on ultrasound. In addition, some genetic syndromes are difficult to detect by ultrasound as the physical findings for these may be very subtle. We will often discuss the limitations of a specific exam with the patient during her visit. Q. How do I make an appointment? A. You must be referred by your regular OB/GYN physician whose office will contact our receptionist to schedule an appointment. If we have seen you in a previous pregnancy and you have now conceived a new pregnancy, we still recommend that you talk with your regular OB/GYN first and their office will make a referral as necessary. Q. Is any question too stupid to ask? A. Absolutely not. We are here to help you learn more about your pregnancy, your risk factors, and your baby's health. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have. Insurance FAQs Q. Will you file my insurance? A. Yes. As a courtesy, we will bill your insurance company for our services if that company is contracted with ROC as an in-network provider. You are responsible for any copay, deductible, etc. as dictated by your insurance policy. This portion of your bill is due at the time of service. Q. Will insurance cover my care? A. You'll be glad to know that in most cases, insurance will cover your care. For your convenience, you can pay your copay, deductible and other uncovered parts of your fee with a credit card, or if necessary, we can set up a payment plan for you. We'll do whatever it takes to help you and your baby get the care you need. Q. Is my visit to your office covered by my global obstetrician's fee? A. Our practice consists of Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists that co-manage the pregnancy with your primary OB/GYN. Therefore, our services are separate from the global care provided through your referring physician. Your visit to our office is submitted to your insurance company in addition to your global obstetrician's fee. |
