Patient Info

New Patients

New Patient Information (Download as a PDF)

Thank you for choosing Cahaba Valley Surgical Group, P.C. to be a partner in the delivery of your health care. Our dedicated team of professionals is here to serve you and assist you to improve your health.

Our Services and Office Policies

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Cahaba Valley Surgical Group, P.C.'s main office is located in the Shelby Medical Plaza next to Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster, AL. We are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. each Friday. We maintain an after hours call service for urgent and emergent needs (205-620-9065).

Cahaba Valley Surgical Group, P.C. is a comprehensive general, thoracic, and vascular surgery practice offering office visits, consultations, and inpatient and same-day surgery. Our Board-Certified surgeons and Physician Assistants perform both open and laparoscopic (less invasive / minimally-invasive) surgical techniques.

BARIATRIC SURGERY

In addition to offering a full range of surgical procedures, we specialize in bariatrics (surgical treatments for weight loss). Through our Bariatric Program, we perform both gastric bypass surgery, as well as LAP-BAND adjustable gastric banding. Ask to speak with our Bariatric Coordinator for more information.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST VISIT

At your initial office visit, we will ask that you complete a set of forms which will help us to give you the best care possible. We will also need to make a copy of your insurance ID card and driver’s license. This will also allow our staff to create a chart that will record your medical history and information necessary to file insurance claims on your behalf. Fill out each form as completely as possible. If you have questions about any of the documents, please ask our receptionists.

We have a link to our New Patient paperwork here . You may fill these out and bring them with you to your office visit, which will save time on the day of your evaluation.

When your chart has been prepared, a nurse will escort you to an examination room. There, the nurse will record vital signs including height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and respiration. We will also obtain a current photograph that will help us monitor your progress as a patient.

One of our surgeons will then review your history with you and ask you additional questions. He will also answer questions that you may have concerning your condition. He will explain his findings and discuss a treatment plan designed especially for you.

APPOINTMENTS

We schedule office visit visits between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. We ask all New Patients to report to the office at least 30 minutes before your appointment to begin paperwork. You may schedule initial visits and follow-up appointments by calling our main number (205-620-9065) or toll free at 866-622-0119. Our after-hours emergency call service is not able to schedule appointments or refill prescriptions after hours.

INSURANCE

Please note that payment is expected at the time of your visit. In addition to cash or check, we accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and most bank-issued debit cards. We also participate in CareCredit medical charge card programs (www.carecredit.com). Cahaba Valley Surgical Group, P.C. also accepts the following insurance and third party payor programs:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• CIGNA
• Healthspring
• Medicare
• Secure Horizons
• TriCare
• United Healthcare
• Senior’s First
• Plus many other PPOs

NURSE TELEPHONE CALLS

We do not maintain full-time triage nurses to field telephone calls. Our clinic nurses return patient calls at the end of morning and afternoon clinic. When calling, you may be asked to leave a detailed voice message which will enable us to obtain your chart prior to calling you back later that day. All calls will be returned the same day.

FINANCIAL POLICIES

To help you become familiar with our financial policies and payment procedures, we've developed a list of commonly-asked questions and answers.

When is my co-payment due? If your medical coverage requires you to make a co-payment, it is due at the time of your visit. Always bring a method of payment to your office visits at CVSG.

Does CVSG accept credit cards? We accept Visa, MasterCard, bank-issued debit cards, and CareCredit charge card, in addition to cash or personal check. We can also take credit card payments by phone.

Will CVSG bill my insurance company directly? Yes. As a courtesy to our patients, we will file claims with your insurance company and accept assignment of benefits. We must have signed Patient Information and Authorization forms on file in order to file a claim with your insurance company (these forms are part of your New Patient paperwork). If we do not have signed forms, we will not be able to file with your insurance and payment is expected from you at the time of service.

If we do participate with your insurance company, it does not absolve the patient of full responsibility for the charges in full for the treatment rendered. Claims are submitted promptly after treatment is rendered. Non-covered services and other patient responsibilities will be communicated to you on the day of service, or by statement once we receive payment from your insurance.

*Please note: Your medical insurance is a contract between you and your insurance carrier. CVSG is not a party to that contract. Your benefits and financial responsibilities are detailed in your policy.

What is your pre-payment policy? Elective procedures (procedures we actually schedule in advance) require patient payment.  Even if a patient has insurance, there are often deductible, co-payments or other cost-sharing provisions associated with your procedure.  We will collect your pre-surgery payment portion for the surgeon’s services in advance of your procedure.  For non-emergent cases, if a required pre-payment is not provided will we reschedule your procedure at a more convenient time.

How often should I update my insurance information with you? At each visit, you should bring your insurance card and verify telephone, address, and insurance information. It is your responsibility to keep accurate and up-to-date insurance information on file with Cahaba Valley Surgical Group, P.C. If a claim is denied due to old information, you will be financially responsible for the denied service.

Do I need a referral for office visits and/or treatment? Some Blue Cross plans, HMO plans, and Tricare, do require referrals in order for your visit to be covered. Patients are responsible for knowing what their plan will cover. Please contact your insurance company to see if a referral is required.

What if I don't have medical coverage? In the event that you do not have medical coverage or insurance for services provided at this office, your payment for services is due and payable when you arrive at the clinic. Our staff will be happy to discuss payment options. Please ask for more information about private pay status.

When will you bill my insurance company? CVSG submits claims to insurance companies several times per week. We process and mail statements to patients once per month.

What if I am not able to pay my bill? Due diligence is exercised in resolving patient balances. CVSG gives every patient ample opportunity to pay account balances through our practice. We are also able to assist patients in financing payments through CareCredit, a medical charge card program. We do reserve the right to utilize third-party collections agents for delinquent accounts. You will be notified prior to any account being turned over to collections.

When is my final bill due? Full payment for services rendered is due (from you or your insurance company) no later than 60 days from the date of service. In general, accounts are considered delinquent if we have not received full payment from you, or from your insurance company, within 60 days from the mailing of your statement. We only resort to a third party collections agent after several statement cycles. If your account is turned over to collections and you call to schedule a non-emergent appointment, the amount in collections must be paid prior to being seen. We will not turn you away in the case of a true medical emergency, but routine office visits will not be scheduled until the amount in collection is paid in full.

UNINSURED, WORKER’S COMP, AND OTHER PATIENTS

Payments: Patients that do not have insurance should be prepared to pay for services by cash, check, or charge card the day that the visit occurs. Patients that do have insurance should be prepared to pay the deductible part of the insurance, along with their "co-payment" the day of your visit.

Workers Compensation Plans: Cahaba Valley Surgical Group, P.C. does evaluate patients for worker's comp purposes. We only accept worker’s compensation cases with an appointment made by the employer, or the worker’s comp case worker. We do not see worker’s comp cases by direct patient appointment. In order for us to file with your worker's comp program, we must have the following information at your initial visit:

In order for us to file with your worker’s comp program, we must have the following information at your initial visit:

• Employer’s name, address, telephone
• Name and contact information for worker’s compensation policy
• Your claim number or case number that has been assigned for your visit to our office (obtained prior to your visit from your worker’s comp plan)
• Other insurance information, in the event worker’s comp does not pay.

Return to Work Policy

Please note that this office is not an industrial medicine or occupational health clinic. Following treatment, we can assist you with any forms or paperwork regarding your ability to return to work, and information regarding your recovery from your surgical procedure. We cannot assist you with the following:

1. Determining degree of functionality, disability or impairment.
2. Ability to operate specific machinery or equipment.
3. Ability to perform specific job functions.
4. Maximum medical recovery determinations.
5. Other score or rating scales used to determine disability.

Please refer back to your worker’s comp case worker to locate an approved industrial medicine or occupational rehabilitation provider for these assessments.