Consultation Required

A consultation visit is required for all patients even for a screening colonoscopy!   
This visit enables us to obtain a complete and accurate medical history, and allows us to assess how we can best meet your medical and surgical needs. 

At the time of the consultation we will ask for your surgical and medical history as well as a current list of medications.

 Even if you have seen Dr. Messerly in the past, it is essential that we obtain the most current medication list and an up to date medical and surgical history.

If it has been 3 months or more since you last saw Dr. Messerly, you will be asked to complete a health history form again. It is important that you do your best to complete this form because it helps us give you the best care.  Many patients leave out information that they do not feel is pertinent to the current reason for their visit to Dr. Messerly. Unfortunately, the patient may not be aware of all the reasons that we need to know information and may omit some piece of information that is critical to safe treatment. (For instance if you had a surgery a long time ago where you had metal inserted into your body we need to know that so we can prescribe an appropriate antibiotic for your surgical procedure.) 

At the time of your consultation you will also sign permits for surgery, choose a day for your surgical procedure and receive instructions on what to expect before your surgery and on the day of surgery.

***   Some insurance companies require that a patient has a referral from their doctor and some do not.
It is best if you see your primary care doctor before you make an        appointment to see Dr. Messerly because you may have an insurance that requires a referral number.

***   See your primary doctor before you set up an appointment to see Dr. Messerly. It may be that you do not need to see a surgeon and pay the added expense of a surgical consultation. Let your primary care physician assist you in making the decision on whether or not you need to see a surgeon.

***   At the time of your consultation you will be given opportunity to ask questions about a procedure and will be given explanations as to what the procedure involves.

***   You must bring a copy of your insurance card with you to your consultation. This is necessary because if you are set up for a surgery/procedure it may be necessary to call your insurance company to obtain authorization.
 

INSURANCE

WHAT INSURANCE PROGRAMS IS MESSERLY SURGICAL CARE ENROLLED IN ?
The following insurance plans are all under the Medical Associates umbrella and since we are not enrolled with any Medical Associates products, we are unable to take these patients:

• Health Choices

• Community Health Plan

• Medical Associates HMO

• Medical Associates HMO Medicare

• Community Plan Medicare Advantage

• Community Plan Freedom Medicare Product

• We are also not enrolled with Coventry and are not able to see patients with the following coverage:

• Coventry Advantra  ( a Medicare Product)

Coventry/ Health Care Preferred

***The Coventry Health Care National Network is First Health and we are able to see these patients. 

HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL COVER FOR A SURGERY OR PROCEDURE?
You can call your insurance company at any time to ask them if a particular procedure is covered. The hospital also has designated staff who will call your insurance company and check your coverage for you and will meet with you to let you know the details of your coverage for a particular procedure.

DOES SOMEONE OBTAIN AUTHORIZATION FOR MY SURGERY OR PROCEDURE?
The hospital has designated staff who will call your insurance company and obtain the needed authorization for your surgery/procedure before you have it done.

WHO DO I CALL IF I HAVE INSURANCE QUESTIONS?
If your question is about a procedure/ surgery that was performed by Dr. Messerly, you may call:
Messerly Surgical Care at 563-927-7401 and we will assist you with your question or find someone who can assist you.

If your question is about a bill you have received from Messerly Surgical Care, you may call Messerly Surgical Care or you may call our billing company: Medical Billing Inc. 515-963-9464 or toll free 1-888-963-9464

If your question is about your hospital bill, you may call the Regional Medical Center: 563-927-3232 and they will connect you with the billing department.
 

Printable Surgical Instructions