YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
New patient consultations are restricted to Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. An hour is scheduled for first consultations to fully discuss your problem and provide treatment alternatives. Please bring as much of your previous medical record as possible. You will be sent a health questionnaire which should be completed prior to your visit to ensure the best use of time. Bring it with you. You may also want to bring a list of questions to be discussed. PLEASE inform us if you cannot keep your appointment.

RETURN APPOINTMENTS
We see return visits in the mornings from 8 AM to 11:00 AM daily. This allows us to provide same day results on your tests and procedures. The afternoons are reserved for surgeries and initial consults. We are open seven days; weekend mornings by appointment. Visits can be scheduled one day for the next.

TELEPHONE CALLS
We make earnest attempts to be available to talk with you. Our mornings are the busiest and we appreciate afternoon calls for scheduling.Please call if any question arises concerning your treatment or medications. If the call is not returned in a reasonable time please call again. Because many of you travel long distances, phone consultation can be arranged, but there will be a charge for this in lieu of an office visit. We cannot practice medicine over the Internet. There can be delays in receiving messages and confidentiality cannot be guaranteed; therefore, please do not e-mail questions concerning your care and treatment.

EMERGENCIES
Our phone is answered personally until 4:30 PM each weekday. We are in the office on weekend mornings by appointment and the phone is answered personally while we are here, usually until noon. After hours the phone is answered by a machine giving instructions and paging numbers to call in the event urgent care is needed. If your call is not answered within 15 minutes please page again. If it is felt that emergency medical attention is needed, go to the Johnson City Medical Center and identify yourself as one of our patients. Alternatively, contact your primary care physician or the emergency room nearest you. Ask them to notify us as soon as possible. If it is not an emergency, please leave a message and you will be contacted the next working day.

FEES
Charges are determined by the complexity of the problem and the time spent. We are very aware of the high cost of medical care and will do our best to limit our costs and maximize efficiency, but we will not compromise your care. We will not exceed the standard fees charged for comparable specialist services but in some cases our fees may be higher than standard fees for ordinary gynecology services. We invite open discussion about our fees and services. Professional and courtesy discounts are seldom extended. We strongly feel that money alone should not prevent therapy. In summary, we attempt to manage our practice in an old fashioned way of fairness to all.

BILLING
For patients undergoing extensive therapy where multiple visits are expected, we will bill monthly. For specific problems and isolated visits, such as an annual exam, payment or copayment is expected at the time of service. Please do not let your account extend past your ability to pay. Monthly statements are sent to update you on any outstanding balance.

INSURANCE
Once eligibility has been ascertained, we will file insurance claims for you, if you wish. Also, we participate in many provider plans. Co-payments are expected at the time of service. Some or all of your services may not be covered by your insurance plan. In such cases, you are responsible for all non- covered charges. With your help, we will attempt to determine insurance coverage in advance. It is important that you work closely with our Insurance and billing staff. It is very helpful if the type and extent of coverage can be determined before your visit.

A SOUND RELATIONSHIP
A good partnership is based on mutual understanding. We feel that a primary role is education. It is only through understanding the options and the reasons behind them that a truly informed decision regarding treatment can be made. We deal with many complex and emotional situations and attempt to provide the care and understanding they deserve. We value your opinion and expect you to tell us of any dissatisfaction with our service to you, no matter how large or small. If you have suggestions on how we may improve our service, please do not hesitate to let us know.

REFERRALS
Many patients are seen on referral by their primary care physician and/or gynecologist. Customarily, a full report of your initial visit, diagnosis, prognosis, and proposed therapy will be returned to your doctor. He or she will also receive periodic updates as to your course of therapy Self referrals are equally welcome and records will be forwarded at your discretion. Many patients come to us by way of our present and former patients. We sincerely appreciate and value this referral source which has been a strong foundation for our practice.

MEDICAL RECORDS
Medical records are kept in strictest confidence. Information will not be released without your permission. You may request a copy of your records or have a copy forwarded to another physician. We ask that you sign a medical release form or give us written authorization if you desire a copy of your records. Insurance companies have a right to a copy of your medical records as they process your claim for services.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
The Center is located in the Medical Center Office Building, which is behind and attached to the Johnson City Medical Center. Follow the signs to the "Same Day Surgery Center." Entrance to the elevator is adjacent to the Same Day Surgery Center entrance.

From Asheville: Take I-26 to Johnson City. Take University Parkway (Exit 31) Turn left at the bottom of the ramp. Follow University Parkway (US 321) South, which ends at State of Franklin Road. Turn left on State of Franklin and turn right at hospital traffic light. Follow the signs to 408 Medical Office Building.

From Eastern North Carolina (Raleigh): Take I-40 to Greensboro, US 421 to Boone, then US 321 through Hampton and Elizabethton TN. Cross under I-26 on to US 321S, which becomes "University Parkway" and ends at State of Franklin Road. Turn left at State of Franklin Rd. and right at the hospital traffic light.

From Kentucky and SW Virginia: Take US 11 W or US 23 to I-26 through Kingsport to Johnson City. On I-26 S. take Exit 36. Turn right and follow State of Franklin. Cross 11E. Turn Left at the hospital traffic light.

From Knoxville: Take I-40 to I-81 then I-26S to Johnson City. Take exit 36. Turn right on State of Franklin Rd. Turn left at the hospital traffic light.

From West Virginia : Take I-81 south to I-26S Johnson City exit 36. Turn right on State of Franklin Rd. Turn left at the hospital traffic light. Follow the signs to 408 Medical Office Building.

ACCOMMODATIONS
If you are traveling from a long distance you may want to stay overnight for a morning appointment or remain overnight for an afternoon appointment. There are a variety of reasonable accommodations nearby. Please ask for a listing.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
We have a variety of printed materials and video tapes available to help in understanding various problems and the treatment options. Our staff is available for illustrated presentations to civic groups, churches and schools.