Frequently Asked Questions
- The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), a not-for-profit organization comprising 24 medical specialty boards, is the pre-eminent entity overseeing physician certification in the U.S. Certification is based on education, practice, and experience-based requirements, against which a physician can be assessed, that suggest suitability for specialty certification. The purposes of these boards of certification are as follows: To encourage continued professional development in a specialty field; To formally recognize physicians who meet the high standards set by the boards of certification; and to serve the public by encouraging quality patient care in the practice of a specialty.
- After you receive care from a physician, we will file your insurance claim. Once the insurance carrier has audited the claim, they will mail a copy of their payment to our physician to your home. The EOB is a line by line explanation of payments, contractual write-offs, and will indicate the portion of the bill for which you are responsible.
- Our physicians are available for appointments from 8 a.m - 12:00 p.m. & from 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Available appointment times may vary depending on the reason for your visit. Appointments can usually be accommodated within 1-3 business days. Previous medical records or X-rays pertaining to the current condition are necessary at the time of the appointment so that the physician may make a thorough evaluation.
- Central Florida Hand Specialists accepts cash and most major credit cards.
- When you need a refill on your medication, contact our office by telephone or email. Our physicians consider all prescription requests at the end of the business day. 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 called into our office after 4:00 p.m. will be answered the following business day. Requests for narcotics will not be accepted after hours.
- If you are sent for lab work, allow 2-5 days for your physician to receive the results, depending on the type of order. The physician will review the results, and he or she will discuss them with you at your next scheduled visit. Imaging results, including MRI scans and CT scans require 2-3 days before our office will receive the results. The physician will review the results and the films with you during your next visit.
- A medical records release form must be completed prior to the release of your medical information. You may contact the medical records department at 321-939-3300 to make arrangements. There is a $1.00 per page fee for patients to receive copies of medical records and $15.00 fee for the completion of disability or FMLA forms. Requests will be processed in 7-10 days, however, we make every effort to complete your request as soon as possible. With our new digital x-ray capability we can provide your digital x-rays on a CD after completing a medical records release form along with the fee of $15.00 per CD. Please allow a 24 hour turnaround for CD's.
- Joint replacement surgery is performed to replace an arthritic or damaged joint with a new, artificial joint called a prosthesis. The knee and hip are the most commonly replaced joints, although shoulders, elbows and ankles can also be replaced. Joints contain cartilage, a rubbery material that cushions the ends of bones and facilitates movement. Over time, or if the joint has been injured, the cartilage wears away and the bones of the joint start rubbing together. As bones rub together, bone spurs may form and the joint becomes stiff and painful. Most people have joint replacement surgery when they can no longer control the pain in their hip or knee with medication and other treatments, and the pain is significantly interfering with their lives.
- We encourage our patients to be as active as possible during their treatment because active patients recover more quickly. Your physician will help determine which activities are safe and beneficial to your recovery. Do not undertake strenuous activities without first consulting your physician.