Office Policies
Office Policies
New Patient Appointments- PLEASE FILL OUT YOUR “NEW PATIENT REGISTRATION FORMS” BEFORE YOU COME FOR YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT , and bring them with you at that time. If you cannot do this, PLEASE ARRIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES EALRY TO COMPLETE THEM ! PLEASE COME FASTING (usually overnight, at least 10-12 hours) for repeat labwork, drawn right in our office. THANX !
It is CRITICAL that we receive “old records”, at least last two office notes and at least last two sets of lab work, from your referring physician AT LEAST 48 hours prior to your new patient appointment. It is the Patient’s responsibility to obtain this data and get it to DR. P or my staff, via email fax or snail mail (less preferred). This allows Dr P time to review this data and make better use of your valuable time, when at that first visit. Typically with Consult patients, we review this data, examine the patient, re-draw any needed lab work, and schedule a follow-up appointment in 2-3 weeks to review the new lab work and map out a plan to treat your medical issues.
Appointment Times
We always try to see patients in timely fashion, and realize that your time is valuable. Because of this policy, we cannot see you if you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your visit, and you will have to reschedule if you are late.
Please allow time for traffic and arrive early if possible, especially for physicals and new patient visits.
Missed Appointments
24-hour notice is required for cancellations. If notice is not provided a charge will be assessed to the patient. Charges will vary depending on the length of the visit missed.
Rescheduling Your Visit
As a national thought leader in multiple fields, Dr. Pokrywka travels weekly to lecture and to learn. He apologizes if your office visit needs to be rescheduled and will always strive to give you at least one month’s notice. Please be sure when you reschedule to tell the staff what TYPE of office visit you are rescheduling (e/g physical, follow-up, new problem, initial visit, etc.) This is YOUR responsibility.
Inclement Weather
Dr. Pokrywka believes that healthcare offices should be open unless there is a weather disaster. He does not follow any school system’s policies. If he can get out of his driveway, the office will be open.
Medication Refills
We require at least 24 hours notice for any medication refills.
“Phone Medicine”
“Dr Pokrywka utilizes “telemedicine” with a secure, HIPPA compliant platform and encourages the use of this modality for office visits with those with transportation difficulties and those travelling a long distance (e.g. > 1.5 hours) . For most others, in person office visits offer MANY advantages and are strongly encouraged. Unfortunately, “urgent care” is NOT our strong point here (comprehensive prevention and treatment of chronic diseases IS ! ) and we cannot guarantee same day appointments ( we utilize Urgent Care facilities when needed) . Dr P reserves the right to stop doing ‘telemedicine” when and if insurance companies return to their usual practice of NOT reimbursing for these visits. “
Forms Completion
Dr. Pokrywka completes paperwork after hours and requires at least one business day to complete any forms – no forms will be completed the same day. There will be charges to the patient (not the insurance) for form completion, varying with the complexity of the forms ($10 – $35).