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University Medical Associates button Frequently Asked Questions at University Medical Associates

Everything You Need to Know about UMA in Augusta, GA


WHAT ARE UMA OFFICE HOURS?

Office hours are Monday – Thursday 8am-5pm and Friday 8am-12:30pm. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment time to register. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call our office the day before to cancel or reschedule. We reserve the right to charge $20.00 for missed appointments.

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HOW AND WHEN DO I PAY?

Payment For Services: Payment for services are expected at time of service, including co-pays and deductibles. We will be happy to file primary and secondary insurances on your behalf. We do not file a third insurance. Accepted payment methods are: Cash, Check, and all Major Credit Cards.

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I NEED MEDICAL HELP, BUT THE OFFICE IS CLOSED!

After Hours/ Hospital Care: A UMA physician is on call, after hours, daily for emergencies only. Refills are not considered an emergency. Narcotics, anxiety medicine and other controlled substances will only be prescribed by your primary physician and will not be called in by the On Call Physician. One of our physicians rounds in the hospital daily to see all hospitalized patients.

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I NEED A REFILL. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Refills: Prescription refills are not considered to be an emergency and should be requested during routine office appointments or by calling the UMA prescription refill line during regular business hours. Refills will be filled within 2 business days. We do not accept walk- in refill requests.

Prior Approvals are sometimes needed on medications that are not preferred meds with your insurance company. Our physicians do not know the preferred medications with the various insurance companies, as they change frequently. We ask patients to contact their insurance company and request a list of preferred medications and bring to their physician. If a prior approval, by your insurance company is needed, we ask that you allow 2 business days for this to be obtained, as these are very time consuming phone calls.

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I NEED A LETTER OR EXCUSE FROM MY DOCTOR!

Forms and Letters: Physicians will complete forms and letters as time permits. We ask that you give the physician at least 7 business days for this. If forms or letters are needed prior to 7 business days an appointment will need to be made.

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I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT; CAN MY AUTO INSURANCE PAY YOU?

Motor Vehicle Accidents: We do not file motor vehicle related claims. The patient is responsible for 100% of the payment at time of service. Most auto insurances will reimburse you for these medical expenses.

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DO I NEED MY INSURANCE CARD WITH ME?

Insurance Cards: Insurance cards must be presented at every visit.

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HOW DO YOU HANDLE INSURANCE?

Please be informed that our office expects payment in full at time of service. However, if you have insurance, we will be happy to file claims on your behalf. You are responsible for full payment of your co- pay and/ or deductible according to your insurance contract at the time of service. Appointments will be rescheduled if co-pay is not paid at time of services. We request that our patients complete our Patient Profile and Insurance form prior to seeing the physician. You are required to present your insurance card(s) at every visit.

Your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company. We are not party to this contract. If your insurance does not allow our fees in full, your are responsible for your balance unless we have a participating contract with your insurance carrier. Please note that our fees are reasonable and customary and allowed by most major insurance carriers. In the event your carrier has not paid within 60 days from filing, you will be billed and responsible for the entire amount owed.

We do file secondary insurance as a courtesy to our patients. You must present your secondary insurance card at each visit. As with primary insurance, in the event your carrier has not paid within 60 days from filing, you will be billed and responsible for the balance due.

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DOES UMA TAKE MEDICARE?

We do participate with the Medicare program. This means we collect only the fees allowable by Medicare. Medicare reimburses at 80% (if the charges are allowable) and the patient is responsible for the 20% balance. Medicare has a $131.00 yearly out of pocket deductible. This deductible must be met prior to Medicare reimbursing any claims. Patients are responsible for paying their Medicare deductible.

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WHAT ABOUT MEDICAID?

University Medical Associates is not taking new Medicaid patients. We will continue to see existing Medicaid patients, who were established prior to 9/1/07. Medicaid patients are expected to pay their $3 co-pay at the time of service. This includes those patients who have Medicare / Medicaid. You are responsible for presenting the current Medicaid Card at every visit.

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DO YOU OFFER LAB SERVICES?

University Medical Associates does have a laboratory on site. We use Mullins Laboratory as a reference lab. Our staff will attempt to determine the lab your insurance covers, but it is ultimately YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, as the patient, to know which lab your insurance carrier requires you to use. All lab charges not paid by the patient’s insurance company will be billed to the patient and the balance due will be that of the patient.

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WHAT IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH MY PAYMENT?

There is a $35.00 returned check fee assessed to all returned checks. The patient will be notified by mail and have 10 days to make the payment. This payment must be made by cash, money order, or credit card. If payment is not received the check may be submitted to our collection agency or to the Magistrate for collections. All future visits will require payment by cash or credit card only. Patient/ Guarantor will be responsible for additional expenses incurred in order to collect a delinquent account. Delinquent accounts, where payment agreements have not been honored or made, will result in termination of the patient from the practice. Termination letters will be sent by certified mail.

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IN WHAT INSURANCE PLANS DOES UMA PARTICIPATE?

Current Insurance Plan Participation: UNIVERSITY MEDICAL ASSOCIATES WILL FILE MOST MAJOR MEDICAL INSURANCES. The following list may not be completely up-to-date and is subject to UMA policy changes.

* AETNA / US HEALTHCARE
* AMERICAN CONCRETE
* AUGUSTA BAG COMPANY
* AUGUSTA COUNTRY CLUB
* AUGUSTA READY MIX/DAVIS HAUL
* AVONDALE MILLS
* BEAULIEU FIBERS
* BLANCHARD AND CALHOUN
* BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF SC - PPC PRODUCT
* BC/BS GA (PARTICIPATE ONLY)
* CASTLEBERRY'S FOOD COMPANY
* CHAMPUS
* CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA
* COLUMBIA COUNTY BOARD COMM
* CSRA-EOA
* EDGEFIELD COUNTY HOSPITAL
* FRIGEDAIRE HOME PRODUCTS
* FULGHUM INDUSTRIES, INC.
* FULGHUM FIBRES
* GOLD MECH
* HEALTH STAR / THREE RIVERS
* INDUSTRY BUYING GROUP
* JEFFERSON COUNTY HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES
* JOCKEY INTERNATIONAL
* JOHN DEERE HEALTH PLAN
* JOHNSON CONTROLS
* KANAHWA HEALTH NETWORKS OF SC
* KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE CLAY
* KING MILL
* MAILHANDLERS
* McCORKLE'S NURSERY
* MEDICAID GA & SC
* MEDICARE
* MEDCOST/PRIME NET
* MEDICAL ASSURANCE
* MEDICAL RESOURCE NETWORK
* MIDSOUTH INSURANCE CO.
* ONE HEALTH PLAN
* OXFORD INDUSTRIES
* PHYSICIANS CARE NETWORK
* PREFERRED HEALTH NETWORK OF CALIFORNIA
* PREFERRED PLAN OF GEORGIA/ MASS MUTUAL UNICARE ONLY
* PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS (PHCS)
* ST JOSEPH HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES
* SALANT
* SCREVEN COUNTY
* SIZEMORE
* SOUTHCARE
* STATE MERIT
* TFE, INC
* THERMAL CERAMICS
* THIELE KAOLIN
* THOMPSON PLASTICS
* TRACEY LUCKEY CO.
* TREFZ AND TREFZ (ARBY'S)
* TWO STATE CONSTRUCTION
* UNICARE
* UNITED HEALTHCARE
* UNIVERSAL HEALTH NETWORK
* UNIVERSITY HEALTH PLANS
* UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES
* UNIVERSITY PHYSICIAN CHOICE
* USA MANAGED CARE
* WALTON REHAB EMPLOYEES
* WESTINGHOUSE

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