Frequently Asked Questions

These 50 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. Can Dr. Coker call me back?

A. Dr. Coker does NOT call back the following:

• Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives 
• Telemarketers 
• Former patients who were terminated
• New patients who have not yet been seen in person
• Spouses or relatives seeking medical  information on our patients
• Patients with abnormal lab results (They must be seen in person by Dr.Coker)
• One last thing: We do not pick up calls from Private or Unknown Numbers

If you are a current patient in good standing and you have seen her in the past 30 days she will be happy to return your call.  All other matters are handled by our Senior Partner - Marc Marchello.

3. Why can't I Check-In and do my medical history paperwork at your office?

A. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic our office is now paperless as well as pen-less. Therefore: 

• You will receive a "Check-In-Link" via text
• Allow yourself 20 minutes to complete it
• If not activated by 5 p.m. the next day
• Your visit will be cancelled
• To reschedule call 305-392-0449
• This policy applies to all new and established patients

4. I have been calling your office and I keep getting your voicemail. Why is that?

A. Many reasons:

• Our entire staff is comprised of only 3 people and that includes Dr. Coker
• Due to the coronavirus pandemic our call load has doubled
• Our office only has 3 phone lines
• Leave us a message and we will call you back

5. Do you offer Covid-19 testing?

A. No. Please click on "Covid-19 Information" on our front page for complete details.

6. I got a swab Covid-19 test and I am waiting for the results. Can I make an appointment?

A. No. You must have a negative result first and wait a week after that date, please be sure to email us your negative result.

7. My last physical was less than a year ago, can I schedule one with you now?

A. This may seem like a very simple question to answer but it is not. Here are the variables:

• Insurances allow you to have 1 free physical per year
• This means they have to be 366 days apart
• Some insurances have told patients it can be done per calendar year
• Only to reject payment after the fact 
• Our office is comprised of 3 people
• We do not have the manpower to be chasing insurances for payment
• Therefore they have to be 366 days apart - No Exceptions
• This applies even if your last physical was done under a different insurance
• Finally, patients have asked for a physical to be done twice a year
• Some have even offer to pay out of pocket
• We do not take Self-Pay patients
• Every visit has to be submitted through your insurance
• So the answer is no, you cannot do a physical twice a year

8. I am a new patient . Can I email you my current medical records before my initial visit?

A. No.  Have your records ready and email them to us during your first visit. As per our attorneys we cannot have access to your private medical records until after you become an established patient.

9. I've been knocking on your door since 8:45 a.m. is someone in there?

A. Our office hours are 9 to 5, our doors open exactly at 9 a.m.

10. I've been knocking  on your door since 1:45 p.m. is someone in there?

A. We are closed for lunch between 1 and 2, our doors reopen exactly at 2 p.m.

11. Can I have a physical and a consultation on the same day ?

A. No. One is a preventative visit, the other is a consultation to address a problem. 

12. I am getting billed for a visit that should have been covered,  why is that?

A. Insurances will use many excuses not to pay for your visit. Here is a list of the most common reasons:

• The name of your insurance card does not match the name on your driver's license
• Your date of birth is incorrect 
• The address in your driver's license does not match with your insurance information
• Insurances only use your 1st first name and your 1st last name on file
• If you have 3 first names and 3 last names they might be out of sequence

We do our best to prevent problems; however, it is up to you to make sure of the following:

• No matter how many first names or how many last names you have on your I.D.
• Make sure your 1st first name and your 1st last name match with your insurance
• Make sure your date of birth is correct it has to be MM/DD/YEAR
• And make sure the address of your I.D. matches with your insurance information 

If all of these are not correct your insurance will deny the claim and bill you for the visit.

13. I got a bill and it should have been paid by my insurance because it was my Free yearly physical.

A. As  we just explained a few questions up above: 

• 366 days have to pass  between physicals
• If it is less, insurances will not cover the visit 
• Some insurances will check with your previous doctor
• Some insurances will check with your previous insurance
• Just to avoid paying for your visit

14. I got a bill for the follow up visit to my physical that should have been covered by my insurance.

A. That is not correct:

• The day of your physical is covered by your insurance
• All other visits are not
• Which means your co-payment and deductible do apply
• These include blood draws, lab results, injections, and follow up care
• The bill you got is actually from your insurance
• They use our address and information to bill you
• The amount is your deductible
• If you do not agree with this amount
• Call your insurance 

15. I came in for my Free yearly physical and it got billed as a consultation. Can you  resubmit it?

A. If in  the middle of a physical you start discussing any symptoms. It stops being a physical and it turns into a consultation. And no, it cannot be resubmitted as a physical, that would be fraud.

16. 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,

17. Why are patients required to have voicemail, text, and email?

A. Being able to reach patients is extremely important, especially when it involves time sensitive lab results. Not having all 3 will disqualify you from becoming our patient.

18. Are patients really terminated if their voicemail is full or disconnected 3 separate times?

A. Yes.

19. How long has Dr. Coker been in practice ?

A. Since June 2000. She opened her Brickell office on 12-12-12 and moved to Coconut Grove in 2020. 

20. Does Dr. Coker's make all final decisions?

A. Dr. Coker makes all final decisions regarding medical and patient care. All other matters, including adhering to office policies, billing, and discharging patients due to non compliance are made by our Senior Partner Marc Marchello.

21. Does Dr. Coker speak Spanish?

A. No.

22. Does anyone in your office speak Spanish?

A. No. 

23. If I happen to need a specialist, can your office recommend one?

A. We have done so in the past but as of 2020 we have opted not to for the following reasons:

• Specialists were not "In Network" causing patients to get substantial bills after the fact
• Conflicting personalities between patient and specialist
• Billing disputes with insurances as to why their clients went to a particular doctor

24. 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
• Call their office to double check if they are still "In Network"
• Make sure their style of medicine matches your expectations
• Read reviews  from patients who actually saw them
• A good website for that is ZocDoc.com but there are others

25. I made an appointment online and it was cancelled. Why did this happen?

A. There are many reasons why this would happen, we will list some of them here:

• All appointments require a verbal confirmation - We were unable to reach you 
• Your voicemail was full or not activated
• You are a new patient and did not complete our "Two Minute Registration"
• Your insurance is inactive or has assigned you to a different doctor
• You are an existing  patient and your insurance has changed or is inactive
• You were terminated or not accepted as a patient in the past

26. I am a new patient. What is your Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy?

A. Two full days minimum.
Cancelling or rescheduling one day before your visit  will prevent you from becoming our patient. No Exceptions.     

27. I am an existing patient. What is your Cancellation and Reschedule Policy?

A. Two full days minimum. 

• After 3 times  patient is terminated
• This policy is cumulative and does not reset at the end of each year

28. Are all scheduled visits really cancelled after 10 minutes?

A. Yes. 

29. Where do I go to get my blood drawn?  

A. You have 2 options.   

Option 1: Go to Quest Diagnostics

No co-payment or deductible apply. 

Click below for locations. 

www.QuestDiagnostics.com

Option 2: You can have it done in our office. However, your co-payment and deductible will apply.

30. Can I schedule a fasting blood work up in the afternoon?

A. No.  They must be done before 10:30 a.m.

31. How do I get my lab results?

A. Follow these steps: 

• Download the "MyQuest for Patients" 
• The lab will post your results as soon as they become available. 
• If your results appear in any color other than red they are within normal limits. 
• If they are in RED call 305-392-0449 to schedule a follow up visit. 
• Please Note: Abnormal test results cannot be discussed over the phone. 

32. Do I have to pay for my appointment to go over my results?

A. Yes. Your co-payment and deductible apply to all visits other than your yearly physical.

33. Can I refuse a follow up appointment to discuss abnormal test results?

A. If your results are abnormal we will do our due diligence to contact you. If you refuse a follow-up appointment or if we do not hear back from you within 30 days, you will receive a certified letter terminating our Doctor/Patient relationship.

 

34. Does your practice do "Executive Physicals"?

A. No

35.  What is the age group of patients Dr. Coker sees?

A. From 18 to 65 years old. For patients who are younger than 18 please look for a Pediatrician.
Patients over 65 should find a Geriatric Physician, Dr. Coker is not Medicare certified.

Please Note: We are not recommending the physicians below, they just happen to be the nearest ones.

Nearest Pediatrician:
Gilma Marimon, MD
3661 S Miami Ave Suite 503
Miami FL, 33133
786-600-4733

Nearest Geriatric Physician:
Raul Tano, MD
8299 S Dixie  Highway
Miami FL, 33143
305-285-5060

36. Can Dr. Coker recommend a center where patients can get their ultrasound, MRI, and other tests done?

A. No.  Dr. Coker provides patients with an order form, each patient must then contact their insurance and find a center that their insurance will cover and pay for.  Patients who have opted to go somewhere else have been billed hundreds of dollars after the fact. Please check with your insurance.

37. Does  Dr. Coker have reviews by patients who actually saw her? 

A.Yes, hundreds of them, just go to www.ZocDoc.com and enter her full name Alicia Coker MD.

38. Can I make a first time appointment for someone else?

A. No.

39. Can I have my assistant/spouse/significant other make an appointment for me?

A. No. If you are an adult who wants someone else to handle your medical care, we are not the practice for you.

40. My child is 19 can I have access to his/her medical records?

A. No. Your child became an adult at 18, all his/her records are private.

41. Can I give my husband/wife/parent/significant other full authority over my medical records?

A. No.

42. Do you accept Medicare or Medicaid?

A. No

43. Do you accept Medicare supplemental plans?

A. No

44. I am an existing patient,  can your office  prescribe new medications over the phone?

A. No. This policy includes medications for colds, flu like symptoms, UTIs, allergies, etc.

45. Can your office prescribe existing medications over the phone?

A. Yes, within 30 days of your last visit

46. How long can your office refill BCPs or prescriptions for chronic conditions?

A. Up to one year. After 365 days you will need to schedule an appointment.

47. Can I get to your office taking public transportation?

A. Yes. The Coconut Grove Metro station will leave you at the intersection of S Dixie Hywy and 27th  Street, we are located at 2250 S. Dixie Hywy.

48.

A. Yes. Park between the lines and do not park under the trees.

49. What is your fax Number?

A. 866-869-0472

50. What is your email?

A. Our HIPAA compliant email  is MiamiFamilyMedicine@gmail.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 during business hours.

Thank you for taking the time to read our FAQs. If you did not find your answer call 305-392-0449.