Patient Education

 Medical schools graduating medical doctors (M.D.) teach allopathic medicine, or the treatment of disease or other interruptions of the body's normal functioning and interventions to restore health. Osteopathic medical schools (D.O.) emphasize health promotion and preventions, but in all other respects are similar to allopathic medical schools. M.D.s & D.O.s attend the same internship and residency programs and complete the same requirements to become a board certified orthopedic surgeon.

 Physician assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of their comprehensive responsibilities, PAs conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, assist in surgery, and in virtually all states can write prescriptions. Within the physician-PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services.

 The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), a not-for-profit organization comprising 24 medical specialty boards, is the pre-eminent entity overseeing physician certification in the U.S. Certification is based on education, practice, and experience-based requirements, against which a physician can be assessed, that suggest suitability for specialty certification. The purposes of these boards of certification are as follows: To encourage continued professional development in a specialty field; To formally recognize physicians who meet the high standards set by the boards of certification; and to serve the public by encouraging quality patient care in the practice of a specialty.

 After you receive care from a physician, we will file your insurance claim. Once the insurance carrier has audited the claim, they will mail a copy of their payment to our physician to your home. The EOB is a line by line explanation of payments, contractual write-offs, and will indicate the portion of the bill for which you are responsible.

 Our physicians are available for appointments from 8a.m - 12:00p.m. & from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Available appointment times may vary depending on the reason for your visit. We offer work-in appointments for acute injuries. Appointments can usually be accommodated the same day or the following day. Previous medical records or X-rays pertaining to the current condition are necessary at the time of the appointment so that the physician may make a thorough evaluation.

 OASIS utilizes Care Credit for payment plans. Care Credit offers plans of variable lengths, including 3, 6 or 12 month options without interest.

 When you need a refill on your medication, call your pharmacy with your request and they will call us with all the information. Our physicians consider all prescription requests at the end of the business day. If the prescription can be refilled, we will notify your pharmacy. If it cannot be refilled we will call you to explain the reason it will not be filled. Requests called into our office after 4:00 p.m. will be answered the following morning. Requests for narcotics will not be accepted after hours.

 If you are sent for lab work, allow 2-5 days for your physician to receive the results, depending on the type of order. The physician will review the results, and he or she will discuss them with you at your next scheduled visit. Imaging results, including MRI scans and CT scans require 2-3 days before our office will receive the results. The physician will review the results and the films with you during your next visit.

 A medical records release form must be completed prior to the release of your medical information. You may complete the Medical Records Release form in the "Online Patient Resources" or contact the medical records department at 972-335-8455 x25 to make arrangements. There is a $15.00 fee for patients to receive copies of medical records and the completion of disability or FMLA forms. Requests will be processed in 7-10 days, however, we make every effort to complete your request as soon as possible. Copies of x-ray films may be obtained by completing a medical records release form with a fee of $5.00 per CD.

 Joint replacement surgery is performed to replace an arthritic or damaged joint with a new, artificial joint called a prosthesis. The knee and hip are the most commonly replaced joints, although shoulders, elbows and ankles can also be replaced. Joints contain cartilage, a rubbery material that cushions the ends of bones and facilitates movement. Over time, or if the joint has been injured, the cartilage wears away and the bones of the joint start rubbing together. As bones rub together, bone spurs may form and the joint becomes stiff and painful. Most people have joint replacement surgery when they can no longer control the pain in their hip or knee with medication and other treatments, and the pain is significantly interfering with their lives.

 We encourage our patients to be as active as possible during their treatment because active patients recover more quickly. Your physician will help determine which activities are safe and beneficial to your recovery. Do not undertake strenuous activities without first consulting your physician.

See this article from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons for information about a Total Knee Replacement.