General Information

Office Policies for Patient Care

Patient Medical Information

To help us provide you with better medical care, we ask that all new patients, and patients we have not seen in the past three years, fill out a medical information form. Visit the Patient Portal to access the form.

Medications

We ask that whenever you come in for an appointment that you bring a current list of all the medications you are currently taking. You should keep this list in your wallet or purse and share it with other doctors you may visit. Whenever you are prescribed a new medication read any information that might come with it and check with your pharmacist to make sure it doesn’t interfere with any of your other medications.

Prescription renewals

If you call for a prescription renewal, please be prepared to give the details of the medication needed (i.e. name, strength, quantity, where and how often using, etc.). Please make your request during regular clinic hours and allow up to 48 hours for them to be called in, longer if you call in the day before the weekend. If Atlanta North Dermatology & Skin Care hasn’t seen you within the past 12 months, you should make an appointment for reevaluation before requesting additional prescriptions, with a few exceptions.

Skin Biopsy and Other Lab Tests

Sometimes it is necessary to take a skin biopsy and (or) order lab tests to help us figure out what is causing a skin condition. You or your insurance company will get a separate bill from the laboratory. It is very important that you get the results of any tests we order (i.e. skin biopsies, blood work). After we receive the results, we will notify you of the results. However, if you don’t hear from us within three weeks from the time the test was done, it is important that you call us for the results.

Referring Physicians

If another doctor referred you to the Atlanta North Dermatology & Skin Care, please let us know and our center will send the referring doctor a letter that will provide the details of your evaluation. Referrals. Some insurance companies require that we have a “referral authorization” from your primary care doctor before we are allowed to see you on the initial or subsequent appointments. If we have not received it by your appointment time, you will have to reschedule, so please make sure that your primary care doctor sends it to us in time. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE DO NOT FORGET.

Insurance and Billing Questions

Our current health care system is very complex and it is difficult to keep track of the always-changing insurance company rules and regulations. We will work with you to help resolve problems that may arise from your insurance company (i.e. Refusal to pay for certain treatments, lab tests or follow- up visits). As a courtesy to our patients, we file the bills with most insurance companies. However, the involvement of the insurance companies makes the billing process extra complicated. If you have any questions regarding your billing statements, please let us know so we can help you figure them out.

Appointment Cancellations

If you have a change in plans, we will be grateful if you would call and cancel the appointment as soon as possible so that other patients can use your appointment slot. A 24 hour notification is needed to prevent being charged. You can leave a message on our answering machine if you call after normal clinic hours. Thanks.

Emergent Dermatological Needs

If you have a skin-related problem that you don’t think can wait until the next available slot, let us know and we will make arrangements to see you sooner. If you have a question or problem that can’t wait until our clinic is open again, please call (770) 516-5199 and listen to the recording to learn how to reach Atlanta North Dermatology & Skin Care after hours. If you think you have a more serious problem that needs more immediate medical attention and (or) might be life threatening, please go to your local emergency room without delay.