Where do I park for my appointment? For your office visit, there is a parking lot with an attendant behind the office building. The parking lot entrance is on Geary Blvd (east side of office building). For your procedure visit, you can park in the parking facility affiliated with the endoscopy center or hospital.
Do I need to bring my medical records to my first visit? It is very helpful that you obtain your medical records from your primary care physician or referring physician as well as any records from a recent emergency room visit or hospitalization. If you have seen another gastroenterologist previously, please bring these records with you. Having the relevant medical records will assist Dr. Farrell in learning more about your health history and enables him to better serve your needs.
Do I need a referral to make an appointment at your office? Every insurance plan is different; please call your insurance carrier to determine whether or not you need a referral from your primary care physician. As a rule, patients with Medicare and a PPO insurance plan do not need a referral. Patients with an HMO insurance plan typically do require a referral.
Why do I have to update my patient information every time I have an appointment? In order to file your insurance claims accurately, we must have your most recent information along with a copy of your insurance card. This will ensure all of your insurance claims are being filed correctly and in a timely manner.
How long is a typical office visit? 30-45 minutes depending upon the complexity of your medical problem.
How do I obtain a copy of my medical record? Dr. Farrell will provide you with a complementary copy of your medical record. If your medical record is lengthy, a cost may be incurred. You will need to fill out a medical record release form and mail or fax the form to our office. Requests for medical records usually take 48-72 hours to process. If you have a special request, please let our staff know.
What is your appointment cancellation policy? We require 24 hours notice to cancel an office appointment and 72 hours notice to cancel a procedure. These hours apply to business days only. Failure to cancel an appointment in a timely manner will incur a cancellation fee.
How do I request a refill of a medication? Please have your pharmacy fax your refill request to our office at (415) 346.0161. We can usually respond to the refill request within 1-2 days. What is a Physician Assistant (PA)? Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. PAs are trained in intensive education programs accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Upon graduation, physician assistants take a national certification examination. Graduation from an accredited physician assistant program and passage of the national certifying exam are required for state licensure.
What do I do if I have an emergency? If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Do I need to come in for an office consultation prior to my screening colonoscopy? Yes, Dr. Farrell will need to review your medical history and medications as well as explain the procedure. This is standard medical practice and will ensure that you are prepared for the procedure.
My friend recently had a procedure and his/her prep was different than mine; why is that? Different physicians prefer different preps for colonoscopy. You should follow the prep exactly as it was prescibed for you. Any questions you have should be directed to Dr. Farrell's staff.
I have a procedure scheduled and now I have some last minute concerns or issues; what do I do? Please refer to either the endoscopy or colonoscopy preparation sheet (MoviPrep or Nulytely or Osmoprep) that was given to you. If you still have questions, call the office and speak with Dr. Farrell's staff.
How long will I be at the endoscopy center for my procedure? Approximately 2-3 hours after you have arrived and registered.
What do I need to bring with me for my procedure? Please bring a list of your current medications including over-the-counter medicines, as well as a current copy of your insurance card.
Will I be able to drive after my procedure? You will not be able to drive for the remainder of the day of your procedure. You will need someone to drive you home after your procedure. If you are dropped off or your transportation leaves during the procedure, we will need a phone number where they can be reached. You may resume normal activities, including driving, on the day following the procedure.
When and what can I eat after my procedure? You can eat as soon as you leave the procedure facility. It is recommended that your first meal consist of relatively "light" food such as chicken soup, a turkey sandwich, or eggs & toast. Since you will have received sedation and your stomach will be empty, eating anything too rich might give you an upset stomach. You may resume your normal diet after the initial meal following your procedure.
When can I expect my test results? Biopsy results usually take 3-5 business days for the report to arrive in our office. Most blood tests and radiology tests results usually require 2-3 business days.
Will my primary care physician receive a report of my procedure? Yes, your primary care physician will receive a copy of all reports including the procedure report, biopsy or pathology report, and any other reports of tests that Dr. Farrell orders.
Do you accept all insurance? We participate with most insurance carriers for normal office visits. For procedures, please check with your insurance plan or call our office to ensure that we participate with your insurance plan and to verify your coverage.
What is your payment policy? We accept cash, checks, debit cards, and major credit cards (except American Express). We expect payment for any co-pays at the time the service is rendered. If you need special repayment arrangements, please speak with Dr. Farrell's staff.