Patient Policies

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• Explains how we may use/disclose your health information for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations.
  
• Your rights include: accessing/copying your records, requesting amendments/restrictions, receiving an accounting of disclosures, requesting confidential communications, and obtaining a paper copy of the NPP.
  
• We will notify you in the event of a breach of unsecured PHI as required by law.
  
• Questions or concerns about privacy can be directed to our office; you may also file a complaint with HHS.
  
• Open Payments: Patients can search payments from drug/device companies to physicians/teaching hospitals at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov.

• You authorize us to release medical and billing information to your insurer(s) and other providers involved in your care for the purposes of treatment, payment, and operations.
  
• You assign insurance benefits directly to Premier Foot & Ankle Center for services provided and agree to cooperate in claim processing.
  
• This authorization stays in effect until you revoke it in writing (not retroactive to services already rendered).

• You request payment of authorized Medicare benefits to Premier Foot & Ankle Center for services furnished.
  
• You authorize release of necessary information to CMS/Medicare and its agents to determine benefits or payment.
  
• In Medicare-assigned cases, we accept Medicare’s allowed amount; you are responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, and non-covered services.

• Authorizations/Referrals: You are responsible for obtaining required authorizations/referrals.
  
• Payment at Service: Payment is due when services are rendered unless otherwise arranged or covered by insurance.
  
• Your Insurance Contract: Your policy is between you and your insurer; we will bill your plan as a courtesy when benefits are assigned.
  
• Accepted Plans: We bill accepted plans directly; you are responsible for copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and any non-covered items.
  
• Non-Covered/No Authorization: If a service is not covered or lacks required authorization, you are responsible for the charges.
  
• Changes: Please notify us of insurance changes; failure to do so may result in denial and patient responsibility.
  
• Hospital/Facility & Other Providers: Facility and other specialist charges are billed separately by those entities.
  
• Laboratory Tests: Some tests are performed by outside labs; coverage varies and you are responsible for uncovered charges.
  
• Elective Surgery Deposits: Certain elective surgeries require advance payment; you will be informed if this applies.
  
• Past-Due Accounts: May be referred to collections; you are responsible for balances plus any related fees as allowed by law.
  
• Returned Checks: A $25 returned-check fee applies (not covered by insurance).

• Purpose: Non-emergency care communications (reminders, follow-ups, scheduling, billing questions, care instructions).
  
• Risks: Email/SMS can be misdirected, forwarded, or accessed by others; deleted messages may persist in backups. We take safeguards but cannot guarantee absolute security.
  
• Not for Emergencies: Do not use email/text for urgent issues. Call our office during business hours or dial 911 for emergencies.
  
• Handling: Messages may be routed to appropriate staff involved in your care.
  
• Your Choices: You can update your email/phone at any time and opt out of texts by replying STOP (HELP for help). Msg/data rates may apply; frequency varies.
  
• No marketing texts without separate consent.
  
• See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use here.

For questions or concerns about this policy, please contact:

PREMIER FOOT & ANKLE CENTER

101 S San Mateo Dr, #302

San Mateo, CA 94401-3844

Phone: (650) 484-0700

Fax: (650) 484-4003
Email: info@premierFAC.com