Frequently Asked Questions
These 30+ questions are listed in the frequency by which they are asked
1. Does Dr. Coker prescribe or refill controlled substances?
A. No. They include the following:
ADD/ADHD
- Ritalin/Concerta/Metadate/Daytrana/Methilphenidate
- Adderall/Amphetamine salts
- Focalin/Dexmethylphenidate
- Vyvanse/Lisdexamfetamine
- Strattera/Atomoxetine
ANXIETY
- Xanax/Alprazolam
- Klonopin/Clonazepam
- Valium/Diazepam
- Ativan/Lorezepam
- Restoril/Temazepam
- Librium/Chlordiazepoxide
CONTROLLED SLEEP MEDS
- Ambien/Zolpidem
- Lunesta/Eszopiclone
- Belsomra/Suvorexant
- Sonata/Zaleplon
PAIN MEDS
- Oxycodone
- Oxycontin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Codeine
- Tramadol
- Ultram
- Ultracet
- Percocet
- Morphine
- Demerol
- Meperidine
- Dilaudid
2. Do you really require a Covid-19 vaccination card for all visits?
A. Yes - No Exceptions.
3. Why do you keep stressing that Co-Payment and Deductible apply to almost all visits?
A. This is by far the most asked question we get. Here is the answer:
- The only visit that is covered 100% by your insurance is your yearly physical
- Your co-payment and deductible apply to all other visits
- Including your follow up visit if your physical lab results are ABNORMAL
- We advice you to call your insurance to find out how much they cover
- If you have not reached your yearly deductible
- Your out of pocket responsibly can range between $20 to $270
4. Does Dr. Coker or anyone in the office speak Spanish?
A. No.
5. Are all late appointments cancelled after 10 minutes?
A. Yes - No Exceptions.
6. Is Dr. Coker accepting new patients?
A. Yes. We are a mature practice established in 2012 with over 5,000 patients.
- Therefore we only accept 4 new patients per month
7. I am a NEW PATIENT and my appointment was cancelled because I did not complete my online registration and medical history by 5:01 p.m., can I reschedule?
A. No.
8. I am an ESTABLISHED PATIENT and my appointment was cancelled because I did not complete my online registration and medical history by 5:01 p.m., can I reschedule?
A. Yes.
- But only if it is not your 3rd violation of our office policies
9.
A. We do not employ a receptionist.
- Our Senior Partner - Marc Marchello answers all phone calls.
10. I was terminated as a patient by the Senior Partner. Can I speak with Dr. Coker?
A. No.
- Office policies were created by Dr. Coker
- Our Senior Partner's primary responsibility it to enforce them
- All decisions made by him are final
11. Can I refuse a follow up appointment if my lab results are abnormal?
A. No.
- If your results are normal you do not need to come back
- If your results are ABNORMAL you need to see Dr. Coker in person
- At this visit your will receive additional testing, start treatment, and/or extensive counseling
- Failure to return will end patient/doctor relationship
- We will then forward your records to a physician of your choice
12. How long has Dr. Coker been a physician?
A. Since June 2000.
13. What type of medicine does Dr. Coker practice?
A. Traditional western medicine.
- Which in many cases is not compatible with holistic and/or alternative medicine.
14. Why does Dr. Coker only accept patients between the ages of 18 to 64?
A. For the following reasons:
- Dr. Coker is an Adult Medicine Physician
- Not a Pediatrician or a Geriatric Doctor
- In addition we do not accept Children's Insurances
- Dr. Coker is also not certified to see Medicare or Medicare supplemental insurances
- Once your turn 65 you will have to find a different physician
15. Can I bring a friend/parent/child/significant other to my appointment?
A. No.
- Due to the current pandemic only one person is allowed in our waiting room.
16. Can I bring bottled water or food to my appointment?
A. No.
17. Can I schedule a visit with Dr. Coker if my insurance has not paid my bill in over 3 months?
A. No.
- You must first pay your outstanding bill
- After your insurance settles the account we will reimburse your payment
18. Can I do blood work before seeing Dr. Coker?
A. No.
19. Why are NEW patients required to have voicemail, text, and email?
A. Lab results and follow up care can be extremely time sensitive.
- Not having all 3 will disqualify you from becoming our patient.
20. Why do patients have to call from the same phone number that is on their medical chart?
A. To make sure your information is not given to someone pretending to be you.
21. Does my name and address on my ID have to match with what my insurance has on file?
A. Yes.
- If it does not, your visit will be cancelled.
22. Do I have to choose Dr. Coker as my PCP (Primary Care Physician) in order to see her?
A. That depends on your insurance.
- Give them a call and find out
- If the answer is yes
- Dr. Coker must appear on their website as your PCP
- We do not accept reference numbers - No exceptions
23. My child is 18 can I have access to his/her medical records?
A. No.
- Your child became an adult at 18, all his/her records are private.
25. Can I give my husband/wife/parent/significant other full authority over my medical records?
A. No.
- If you are an adult who wants someone else to handle your medical care
- We are not the practice for you
26. Since your office is at Mercy Hospital are visits billed as a Hospital Benefit?
A. No.
- Our office is located at the Mercy Campus but we are not affiliated with the Hospital.
27. Does your practice do "Executive Physicals"?
A. No.
- Ask your employer where to go for one
28. My last physical was less than a year ago; can I schedule one with you now?
A. No.
- They must be 365 days apart - No Exceptions
- This applies even if your last physical was done under a different insurance
29. Can I have a physical and a consultation on the same day?
A. No.
30. What is the difference between a physical and a consultation?
A. One is a preventative visit; the other is a problem focused visit.
31. I came in for my FREE yearly physical and it got billed as a consultation. Can you resubmit it?
A. No.
- If in the middle of a physical you start discussing any symptoms
- It stops being a physical and it turns into a consultation
- To resubmit it as a physical would be fraud.
32. I have blood work and labs from a different doctor that I want Dr. Coker to review, can you bill this visit as a physical?
A. No.
- A visit to go over labs is a consultation
- To bill it as a physical would be fraud
33. I am about to leave the State/Country in a few days for a few months or longer. Can I do a physical with blood work before leaving?
A. No.
- We advise you to wait until you get back or to do one when you get to your destination.
34. How do I get my lab results?
A. Follow these steps:
- Download the "MyQuest for Patients" on the app store in your phone
- The lab will post your results as soon as they become available.
35. Does your practice personally recommend specialists?
A. No.
36. How can I find a good specialist?
A. We recommend you take the following steps:
- Contact your insurance for a list of "In Network" specialists
- Chose more than one
- Waiting time to see them can sometimes take weeks or even months
- Call their office to double check if they are still "In Network"
- Failure to do so may result in a denial of claim and an out of pocket expense
- Make sure their style of medicine matches your expectations
- You can do so by reading reviews from patients who actually saw them
- A good website for that is ZocDoc.com but there are others
37. I wrote you an email and did not hear back?
A. Our HIPAA compliant email is office@brickellfamilymedicine.com
It is only used to upload medical documents and it does not provide personal correspondence.
For everything that requires a response, please call our office 305-392-0449.
Thank you for reading our FAQ section