Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is a DO?
- Will you bill my insurance?
- How can I get a prescription refilled?
- Referrals to Specialists
- Records Release Request
- Who should I contact after hours?
What is a DO?
Dr. Faria is an Osteopathic Physician ( D.O.)
DO.’s like MD.s are licensed by state and specialty boards to perform surgery and prescribe medication.
Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education.
Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete a residency program, which takes typically two to six years of additional training.
Both DO’.s and MD’.s must pass state licensing examinations.
Both DO’.s and MD’.s practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.
D.O.s comprise a separate, yet equal branch of American medical care. Together D.O.s and M.D.s enhance the state of health care available in America.
D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your body as an integrated whole.
D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another. OMT allows physicians to use their hands to diagnosis injury and illness and to encourage your body’s natural tendency towards good health.
Will you bill my Insurance?
Payment for services are due at the time service is rendered unless payment arrangements have been made in advance.
Payment will be waived only if we are able to verify your insurance coverage and deductible status. Please bring you insurance card and all necessary information required for verification.
If your deductible obligation for the year has not been met, payment will be required at the time of your appointment.
We are a participating provider with:
- First Choice
- Cigna
- Great West
- Medicare
- Medicare Railroad
- WA Labor & Industry
- PacifiCare
- Premera Blue Shield
- Regence Blue Shield
- Tricare NW
- United Healthcare
- Lifewise
- Aetna Health Insurance
Our office accepts the following types of payment:
- Cash
- Master Card/ Visa
- Personal Check-(Local only)
All co-pays are due at time of service
Your co-pay amount is determined by you insurance company. Please review your member Handbook or call your insurance customer service representative for more information.
As a service to our patients, we will submit the initial bill to most insurance companies.
If your secondary insurance information is on file with us, we will also bill your secondary insurance. Not all insurance plans pay the same benefits or apply the same deductible, thus there may be a balance due after insurance has paid.
To reduce filing problems and payment delays, please make sure that all your insurance information on file with us is up to date.
How can I get a prescription refilled?
If you need a refill on your medications before your next appointment, please give us at least 48 hours (2 Days) advance notice. Prescription refills need to be called into your pharmacy. Your pharmacy will contact us with a prescription request.
Dr. Faria will review the medication request and will either have the prescription available for you to pick up at our office or we will call the pharmacy with the renewal.
PLEASE NOTE: In many cases Dr. Faria needs to monitor and confirm that the medication is working and is right for you. We will call you if a appointment is required for your refill .
Referrals to Specialists
Dr. Faria’s function as your primary care physician is to provide continuing and comprehensive health care. He is best qualified to serve as your advocate in all health-related matters, and function as your focal point for all needed health care services, including referrals to specialist, health services, and community resources.
Even if your insurance does not require a referral from your primary physician, we can serve to maintain your continuity of care by our office initiating referrals. Our office staff will make sure that your referral is done as quickly as possible.
Records Release Requests
By Washington state law we have 30 days to make your records available to you, we usually can get your request processed much quicker but please allow a minimum of 2 weeks for our office to copy and have records available. We will need a signed release to be able to send a copy of your chart to another physician or release a copy of your chart to you.
If your records are to be sent to another physician, please include the complete address, phone number and clinic name on the release form. Each patient must sign their own release form, a husband or wife can not sign a release of records for the other spouse. Parents can sign a release form for their minor children. A copy of our release form is available on-line.
Who Should I Contact After Hours?
If this is a life threatening emergency please call 911.
Otherwise call our office number (253) 639-1883. Our answering service will put you in touch with either Dr. Faria, or the physician on call.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
911 Medical/Police/Fire
Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222