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What happens when you and your doctor agree to have surgery?

  • Once the decision for surgery is made between you and your surgeon it’s important to understand what happens next.
  • Your physician or his staff may give you a possible date for surgery. If your case is an emergency and must be done in the next few days, a date can often be confirmed prior to leaving the appointment.
  • Your physician and his clinical team may tell you what days your physician performs surgery and at what facilities to give you time to look at your calendar and contact us when you are ready to schedule.
  • Once a tentative date is confirmed:
    • The surgery order is processed with your insurance company to get approval/precertification.
    • We will be certain the facility is covered in your insurance plan.
    • The process of receiving approval for surgery from an insurance carrier can take from 1-30 days depending on the insurance carrier.
    • Once insurance approval is received, your account is reviewed within our billing department. We may require that all balances be paid in full before surgery is scheduled. We will also review your insurance benefits to see if there is a co-pay or co-insurance due to the surgeon.
    • Once this step is complete, our clinical staff will contact to confirm dates for your surgery. It will be helpful to us if you have already reviewed your calendar and workplace policies for time off for surgery.
  • After your case is scheduled with the facility, you will be contacted with the following appointments required to prepare for surgery:
    • Pre-admit appt for labs, EKG, Chest X-ray etc. depending on your age, general health, and type of surgery being performed.
    • Appointments with your Primary Care Physician and/or any Specialist with whom you treat for medical conditions that may be affected by surgery. Commonly referred as “medical clearance.”
    • Post Post-operative physical therapy appointment, if indicated.
    • Your first appointment after your surgery to see your surgeon or his staff.
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