ORTHOPAEDIC APPOINTMENT PREP

In preparation for your orthopedic appointment at any of our Cary Orthopaedics’ locations, please read over the following preparation tips to become familiar with our policies and procedures. For any questions, on these or other orthopaedic appointment preparation procedures, please contact us at 919-467-4992.

Arrive Early for Your Orthopaedic Appointment

Important: Arrive 15-30 minutes early for your appointment to fill in a health questionnaire and supply your personal details. If you are late, it may not be possible for you to be seen that day in order to avoid inconveniencing other patients.

For your convenience and to expedite your visit, we encourage you to complete the Patient Information Forms available on this website prior to your scheduled visit and bring them with you. If not all the relevant information is available at the time of your appointment, this may cause a delay in your treatment. In addition, it may be necessary to repeat a study to complete your evaluation.

You may also arrange to have your previous records sent to us prior to your appointment by contacting the facility you visited.

What to Wear

Please dress so that the body part you are having trouble with can be easily examined and/or X-rayed. If you are attending for a knee, hip or spine problem, please wear or bring shorts to your appointment.

If you are having shoulder or elbow problems, please wear a singlet or a top that has few buttons. Ladies, please ensure that underclothing is worn to allow the shoulder to be examined with the outer garments removed.

What to Bring

When you come for your orthopaedic appointment, please remember to bring the following:

• Government issued photo ID
• Insurance card
• Copies of operation records, medical records, X-rays, MRI’s, CT scans, bone scans, ultrasounds and so on from prior doctors visits that relate to your problem area (even if you have been told that they are normal)
• If you have seen a physical therapist, please bring a progress letter from the therapist
• If you have had surgery elsewhere, please bring a copy of your operation report if that is available
• A list of all medications that you are currently taking and their doses
• A list of any known drug allergies and the symptoms you may have from taking these medicines
• Any medical information or reasons for admission to hospital
• Your health insurance information
• Your claim number if it is a workers’ compensation injury

Orthopaedic X-rays

Very often during the course of your evaluation or treatment for an orthopaedic condition your doctor will require X-rays to determine the cause of a problem or to evaluate your progress. At Cary Orthopaedics, diagnostic X-ray facilities are available at each office location for prompt evaluation and patient convenience.

X-rays are usually arranged as part of your scheduled orthopaedic appointment preparation, but please bring in any X-rays of the relevant body part which have been ordered by other doctors. If you have not already had an X-ray, please do not get one done just for the appointment as we often require specific views to be taken.

To Cancel Your Orthopaedic Appointment

Telephone our office during business hours. Please cancel at least 1 day ahead so that your appointment time can be allocated to another patient who is seeking treatment.

Orthopaedic Consultation Fees

Fees charged in this practice are based around the North Carolina Insurance Commission Usual, Customary and Reasonable fee schedule. This means that in most instances there will be a portion of your consultation fee which will not be covered by Medicare or your health contract. Please be familiar with your insurance benefits as visits often will require a co-pay be made at the time of service.

Orthopaedic Surgical Fees

If it is determined that you need an orthopaedic surgical procedure, our office staff will assist you in navigating the financial aspects of your surgery and follow-up care. This includes help with paperwork, hospital admissions, pre-authorization and benefit verification.

Our staff will be able to provide you with a cost estimate for your surgery and help determine your insurance coverage and co-pays. Some procedures receive an allowable benefit from your insurer while others will not. We are able to give you the appropriate advice on all of these matters and provide accurate estimates of what the final costs might be.

Please be advised that when you have an operation, there is a fee for your attending surgeon, his assistant, the anesthetist and the hospital.

For more information about preparing for orthoapedic surgery and what to expect post-operatively, see our surgery preparation information.

For more information on how Cary Orthopaedics can help you, contact us today!

Cary Orthopaedics sees patients from Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Chapel Hill, Pittsboro and surrounding areas.