The Islands Center for Women

I’m sure all of our patients would agree, at the Islands Center for Women, we go above and beyond to make sure each and every one of our patients are well taken care of during their visits to our clinic.It is very unfortunate that this patient feels she was misled during her visit. As she stated,...

she is currently pregnant, and came to the office as a New Patient.  Our very competent and experienced front office staff would never have relayed over the phone to a patient that their FIRST VISIT AT OUR CLINIC AS A NEW OBSTETRICAL PATIENT would be a zero charge. It is always left up to the physician as to what office visit will be charged according to what takes place during the visit.The Patient Information Sheet is always filled out and signed by the patient. A few examples of what is included on this information sheet are not only the patient’s DOB, address, spouse information, employment, insurance, etc., as well as the Assignment of Benefits explanation for our office. The Assignment of Benefits states: I hereby authorize my insurance company to pay directly to [redacted], MD & [redacted], MD, benefits due to me, if any, as provided in my unexpired policy. I will pay all charges in excess of whatever sums may be paid. I understand that regardless of Insurance coverage, I am liable for all fees with deductible and cost shares being due on the date of service. I understand that in the case of default of payment of this account, I promise to pay any legal interest on the balance due, together with any collections costs and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred to effect collection of this account. When the patient fills this paperwork out and signs it, they also present their insurance card to the front desk to make a copy, with the understanding that their insurance company will be billed for their visit.The patient also fills out a Health History form to be reviewed by the physician and discussed with the patient during their visit.Vitals are also taken before the patient is seen by the physician.During this particular visit, all of the above was completed and the patient’s comprehensive medical history paperwork and the patient’s personal medical binder that she brought with her were reviewed and discussed in the 45 minutes Obstetrical Counseling office visit the patient had with the physician. As stated to the patient, by the physician, IF the patient was continuing care with our clinic, that visit would have been included in the Obstetrical Global. Since the patient did not schedule another visit at our clinic, the one visit on that date of service was billed to the patients insurance. The patient received a bill from our office after her insurance company was billed and the insurance company applied it to her deductible with the amount they stated was patient responsibility. We apologize for any misunderstanding she may have had and wish her the best with her pregnancy! Respectfully,  The Islands Center for Women