Privacy Policy

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At New York Integrative Rheumatology we are committed to providing exceptional care with an emphasis on functional medicine. Our goal is to offer the highest quality medical services tailored to your needs. Here’s everything you need to know about our office policies, appointments, and procedures:

General Information

We prioritize a functional medicine approach, recommending natural remedies when appropriate. However, we also provide traditional medical treatments and medications as needed. Your treatment choices are always yours to make. We encourage you to ask questions and seek second opinions if desired. Once you agree to a treatment plan, we expect you to follow the recommended advice, including diagnostic tests and prescribed medications. Building a trusting relationship with your doctor is essential for your health and well-being.

Appointments, Follow-Ups, and Office Visits

• Scheduling: All visits must be scheduled in advance. Call us during business hours to schedule, cancel, or reschedule an appointment. If you need to cancel, please notify us as soon as possible so we can accommodate other patients.
• Timeliness: Arrive on time for your appointment. Late arrivals may experience longer wait times due to prioritized scheduling. Transportation arrangements are your responsibility.
• Walk-Ins: Walk-ins and unscheduled non-emergency visits are strongly discouraged and may result in long wait times or service denial.

What to Do in an Emergency

• Serious Conditions: For life-threatening conditions (e.g., chest pain, severe shortness of breath, loss of consciousness), call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Inform the hospital of our address and phone number. Keep a list of your current medications handy.
• Urgent Care: For severe but stable conditions, such as joint pain, call us for an urgent appointment. Please be punctual and patient, as urgent cases will be accommodated as best as possible.

Insurance Coverage

• Responsibility: It is your responsibility to maintain health insurance coverage. Notify us in advance of any changes in your insurance coverage to avoid personal liability for incurred fees.

What to Bring on Your First Visit

• Insurance ID cards
• Picture ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Green Card)
• Contact information for your Family Doctor or Primary Care Physician
• Contact information for your Pharmacy
• List of current medications
• Recent lab results and radiology reports (bring actual films if available)
• Personal information including address, telephone, date of birth, and Social Security Number for you and the primary policyholder

What to Expect During Your First Visit

• Completion of demographic, billing, and medical history forms
• Measurement of blood pressure, height, weight, and temperature
• Recording of past medical history and current medications
• Medical examination and discussion of your diagnosis and treatment plan by Dr. Sokolova
• Possible lab tests and procedures, with explanations provided
• Most prescriptions will be sent electronically to your pharmacy

Assignment of Benefits and Insurance Checks

• Benefits Assignment: If you receive insurance checks for our services, bring them to our office or mail them to us. If cashed, you must send us a personal check for the same amount. Misappropriation of funds will result in immediate discontinuation of the doctor-patient relationship, additional fees, and possible legal action.

Non-Covered Services and Out-of-Pocket Expenses

• No Surprise Policy: Fees for non-covered services will be provided and agreed upon before the service is rendered. Once agreed, payment becomes your legal obligation.

Other Doctors and Coordination of Care

• Coordination: While our focus is on rheumatology and functional medicine, we encourage you to maintain a primary care physician and consult other specialists as needed. Keep us informed of any changes in your treatment from other doctors, as some treatments may interact with our recommendations.

Copies of Medical Records

• Requesting Records: For recent lab results or imaging studies, we provide copies upon request. For more extensive records, including visit notes, a fee of $0.75 per page applies. Personal copies can be picked up in person, while other requests require a completed HIPAA Form 960 and the same per-page fee.

We look forward to assisting you with your healthcare needs. For any inquiries, please contact us using the details above or fill out the contact form on our website.