Phone Hours

The phones are off service Monday through Thursday between 12 noon and 2:00 p.m. Messages may not be left during that time. The phones are off service on Fridays between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. and again messages may not be left during that time. During other day time hours, evenings and weekends you may leave a message at the end of the announcement.

Emergencies

However, if you have a true medical emergency when the phones are not answered live, we recommend you call 911. Dr. Blum may be reached for medical emergencies by calling Anne Arundel Medical Center (443.481.1000) and requesting the operator to page your doctor or the neurologist on call if it is after regular office hours.

Cancellations

There will be a $50.00 charge for non-cancelled (24 hours or less) appointments that are missed, the copay amount will be charged if you are an HMO. We are unable to use this time effectively if we do not know in advance that you do not plan to keep your appointment. This includes EEG appointments.

Please understand that any appointment you make is your responsibility to keep - we attempt to make a courtesy call to remind you, however if we do not reach you, we still expect you to keep your appointment or call us prior to 24 hours ahead to cancel.

Referrals

If your insurance (both primary insurance and/or secondary insurance, especially if they are HMO or POS) requires a written or electronic referral from your primary care physician, it is your responsibility to know that and to request the referral well in advance of your appointment so that you can bring it with you - we do not make same day calls to your primary care to request a referral and we no longer accept FAXs as they often do not reach us in a timely manner. If you fail to bring your referral, your appointment will be rescheduled for a time when you have one.

Payment and Insurance Practices

1. You, the patient, are responsible for all insurance information, such as, referrals, copays and whether or not we participate in your particular insurance. At the time you schedule your appointment you must give the receptionists all and accurate information. If your insurance changes at any time during treatment by Bay Area Neurology it becomes your responsibility to notify us of the changes and present your new insurance card for copying.
   
   
2. If you are referred to us through Worker's Compensation you need to make that clear to us at the time you schedule the appointment and please make sure we have your Worker's Compensation information (on your Worker's Comp Letterhead stating that they will pay this bill with the billing address) ahead of your appointment or your appointment will have to be rescheduled until a time when the information is available to us.
   
   
3. We do NOT TAKE PIP - please inform us at the time of scheduling that you are being seen as a result of a motor vehicle accident. You need to make arrangements before you are seen in our office to be self pay - cash, check or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). You will need to submit your bills to PIP directly. If your PIP is exhausted we need an official letter from your PIP Carrier stating that your PIP is exhausted so that you may use your regular health insurance in our office.
   
   
4. WE DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT UPON SETTLEMENT FROM AN ATTORNEY FOR EITHER WORKER'S COMPENSATION OR A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. You are expected to be self pay (cash, check or credit card) at the time of services by our office and to submit the bills directly to your attorney for payment to you.
   
   
5. Co-pays are expected to be paid at the time of your appointment. We accept cash, check or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). If you are not able to pay the co-pay at the time of your appointment - your appointment will be rescheduled to a more convenient time for you. There is a $25.00 charge on all returned checks.
   
   
6. A monthly billing statement will be sent to you if, in fact, you do owe any portion of the patient responsibility fees charged. If payment is not made on accounts due, after 90 days of nonpayment, your account will be turned over to medical collections. Medical collection services may charge interest in addition to your bill at that time. If there is a problem with payment do not hesitate to call our billing line @ 410.266.2743.

As providers of neurological services we want to emphasize that the relationship of ourselves in this office is primarily with you and not with the insurance company or any other third party payer. These charges are the responsibility of the patient from the time service is rendered.

What to Bring to the Office on Your First Visit

1. Your new patient form (PDF):
   Please be sure both pages are filled in with appropriate signatures on both pages.
   [printable page help]
   Also, bring any signatures that may be required for HIPAA Privacy forms, and/or waivers, etc. These would be in your new patient packet.

2. Your insurance cards--primary and secondary--for copying purposes. (We copy both sides of the card/cards in order to keep insurance addresses and phone information.) If you fail to bring your insurance cards at the time of your appointment we will have to reschedule your appointment for a time when you have the cards with you.
   
   
3. A picture ID of the patient, i.e., driver's license, etc., for verification.
   
   
4. Your co-pay (CASH, CHECK or CREDIT CARD) Visa or Mastercard.
   
   
5. Any REFERRAL (written or electronic) required.

Notice of Privacy Practices/Aviso Para Las Praticas Privadas

Notice of Privacy Practices: Bay Area Neurology has implemented these policies and procedures so that the confidentiality of your personal and/or medical information remains confidential.