As sub-specialists, we evaluate and treat problems of the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. We perform a variety of tests in our roles as sub-specialists: i.e., routine electrocardiograms, sophisticated cholesterol testing, cardiovascular treadmill stress tests, echocardiogram, 24-hour electrocardiogram monitoring, and our gastroenterologist's visual assessment of the stomach and colon through esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy.

The frequency of complete examinations is a matter of flexibility. We recommend one examination each year to those patients who may have a particular problem. Some patients feel a yearly examination which finds them in good health reassuring. Recommendations for the minimum number of examinations are: on becoming a new patient, at age 18, at age 25, three times between ages 30 and 39, every other year between 40 and 60, and every year after age 60.

Recommendations for screening mammograms vary. A baseline mammogram is recommended between ages 35 and 40. Between ages 40 and 50, a mammogram every couple of years is recommended, and after age 50, one every year is recommended.

A pap smear is recommended when sexual activity begins, then annually for two years, and then every three years to age 35. Thereafter every three to five years.

Cholesterol screening is recommended on becoming a new patient and with each complete physical examination.

Prostate screening is recommended every year for men over fifty.

Our phones will still be answered by our receptionist Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Please state your name and the reason for your call, and our receptionist will be happy to assist you. Our staff and physicians will respond to your calls in a timely fashion. Please remember that our physicians are very busy and will return your calls as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CALLS WILL BE RESPONDED TO IMMEDIATELY.

South Shore Internal Medicine Associates is an approved provider to Medicare, Blue Shield, Bay State Health, HMO-Blue, Pilgrim Health Care, and Medicaid.

We request the patient to pay the $3.00, $5.00, $10.00, or $15.00 copayment required by their insurance policies at the time of service. For the Blue Shield plans which cover office visits as an extended benefit, we require payment for the office visit at the time of the service.

For the Medicare patient, we accept assignment but will bill the patient for the remaining 20% after Medicare payment and for the yearly deductible. Except for Medex, this office does NOT bill secondary providers of supplemental insurances after Medicare.

If you have commercial insurance, please provide the office with a signed insurance form. The billing office will file an initial claim for the services rendered. However, a monthly statement will be provided to inform the patient as to the charges. It is the patient's responsibility to see that the insurance company recognizes the charges.

If you have Workman's Compensation please notify our receptionist upon leaving the office. The patient will be held responsible for the proper disposition of the claim even if it is in litigation.

For patients without insurance or with questionable coverage, it is our policy to request payment for the services rendered at the time of your visit.

Telephone calls related to billing questions will be answered between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. This time has been set aside specifically for this purpose. Please call (617) 698-0482 when calling the billing office, not our regular telephone number.

Insurance companies will often not pay for screening laboratory tests which we deem to be in your best interest. We thus request that you pay for these tests. If this presents a financial hardship, please let us know.

If you do need to see a specialist, you will have to make sure that you have received a proper referral from our referral department. If this is not done, your insurance company will not pay for that service, and you will be responsible for the charge. Insurance companies do not make exceptions and will not issue referrals after the date of service.

When you have been referred to our office to see one of our specialists, please make sure that the office of your primary care physician has issued you a referral through your insurance company. It is the patient's responsibility to make sure that all paper work has been processed for this visit. If the referral has not been obtained by you, charges that are incurred are your responsibility.

If you have any questions regarding your insurance policy, we suggest the following:
* Contact your insurance company; the phone number is usually listed on the back of your card.
* Contact your employer's benefits department if your plan was purchased through your employer;
* Consult the policy pamphlet that you should have received when you signed up for health insurance.