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Miller School of Medicine >> UM Executive Medicine >> Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
General
 

What services are offered through the UM Executive Medicine Program?
The UM Executive Medicine Program offers both executive physicals and primary care services. Please contact us at (305) 243-8907 or toll free at (888) 887-1814 for more information or email us at executivemedicine@med.miami.edu.

How do I obtain directions to your offices?
For directions, please call our office at (305) 243-8907 or visit our directions website at http://www.med.miami.edu/campus/map.asp and select the building at which you will be arriving.

 
The Executive Physical
 

Why should I be interested in participating in the Executive Physical Program?
Our executive physical packages include preventive and diagnostic exams, which emphasize healthy lifestyles, risk factor management and changing personal behavior.

How much does an Executive Physical cost?
The costs of the executive physical depend on which screening tests are needed, as well as which package you choose.  Services can be determined by both the patient's needs and the physician’s recommendations.  For corporate discounts, please contact us directly at (305) 243-8907.

How will I be notified of the results of my executive physical?
Within two to three weeks of completing your executive physical, you will receive a summary package of your results. Certain tests require a longer processing time and the result may not be available within this time frame; however, you will receive this information as soon as it is sent to our office. You will be immediately contacted should any preliminary results indicate urgent follow up care might be needed.

Does an executive physical conflict with the care provided by primary care physician?
The executive physical is not intended to replace the care provided by your primary care physician.  However, our physicians are available to field questions from you or your PCP.  If desired, one of our physicians can also become your primary care physician!

Will you send my test results to my primary care physician?
Yes, we do send a copy of your records to your primary care physician but only at your request.

Can I request additional copies of the results of the executive physical?
Yes, you may request additional copies of your executive physical results.  Please call our office at (305) 243-8907 or email us at executivemedicine@med.miami.edu.

How far in advance do I need to schedule my appointment?
Please allow at least two weeks for the first available appointment. Please call one of our clinical service coordinators at (305) 243-8907 to schedule an appointment.

How long is the executive physical?
The standard Executive Health exam takes approximately four to eight hours, depending on the number of tests or procedures you are having. If your checkup requires a colonoscopy, this must be done on a separate day.  Optional additional services, such as a radiology procedure or a comprehensive cardiac exam, may require additional time.

Why can’t I have a colonoscopy on the same day as my Executive Physical?
Because of the anesthesia used for the colonoscopy, the procedure requires an extended and sometimes unpredictable amount of time for the anesthesia to wear off.  Thus it is quite difficult to coordinate this procedure on the same day as the full set of Executive Health screening services.

What should I wear to my executive physical?
Please arrive in comfortable clothing to exercise in, including athletic shoes.

Who do I call if I need to cancel or reschedule my appointment?
If you must cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call us at (305) 243-8907 at least seven days in advance and one of our specialists will gladly assist you to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

When will I receive my itinerary for the day?
Ideally, you should receive your itinerary 1 week before your scheduled visit.

When should I arrive for my executive physical examination?
You should arrive twenty (20) minutes prior to your first scheduled appointment.

What do I need to do to prepare before the appointment? Can I eat the night before?
Pre-Examination instructions will be mailed to you with your itinerary.  You should not eat or drink anything except for water 10-12 hours before your blood work.  You may be asked to provide a urine sample.

 
Your Primary Care / Choosing a Physician
 

Do I still need a primary care physician?
An executive physical is a great way to compliment your current primary care, but it is not a replacement.  Our physicians can also serve also as your primary care physician.  Please call our office at (305) 243-8907 to learn more about moving your primary health care to a UM physician.

How do I change my primary care physician?
Please refer to the back of your insurance card or on your carrier’s website for additional information on changing your primary care provider.

How do I make arrangements for a specialty appointment that may be recommended by the physician completing the executive physical?
Our office will coordinate your specialty care throughout the University of Miami Medical Center. We encourage you to verify your health insurance coverage with your carrier if you are concerned about having coverage for certain ordered or recommended procedures.

 
Referrals
 

Why do I need a referral from my primary care physician to see a specialist?
If you are insured by an HMO (or in some cases a PPO) your health plan will probably require a referral for specialist care. Your primary care physician is your primary contact for your immediate medical needs.

My physician submitted a referral for additional care. How do I find out the status of that referral?
Please call our office to speak to one of the nurses or patient concierges coordinators to learn about the status of your referral.  We can be reached at (305) 243-8907.

My referral was denied. How do I appeal?
The first step in appealing a denied referral is for you to contact your health plan. To do this, you will need the referral number. If you do not have the referral number, contact our office and they can provide this number.

 
Billing
 

Are the executive physicals covered by health insurance?
The executive physicals are billed through 3rd party insurances.  Co-payment and deductables are followed in accordance with your policy (for non-covered services, we accept cash, personal checks, money orders and all major credit cards).    Additional testing and/or consultations may or may not be covered by insurance. We encourage you to contact your health insurance provider and ask about coverage for the additional tests. 

What if I need additional tests or services not included as part of the executive physical?
The University of Miami Medical Center has over 30 medical specialties available at our downtown location including 68 primary care physicians and 807 specialists. Our office will arrange your specialty care as determined by our physicians during your executive physical.

What health insurance plans are the University of Miami contracted with?
The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine accepts most large health insurance plans.  Please see http://www.ummg.med.miami.edu/x51.xml for a list of our contracted insurances.

I received a bill and have questions about it.  Who can I call?
Our billing office will be more than happy to assist you with any questions regarding your bill. Please contact us directly at (305) 243-8907.

What should I do if my insurance information is incorrect on my statement?
We apologize for this error. Please contact our billing office at (305) 243-8907. We will then make the necessary changes to your account and re-bill the correct insurance plan.

Can I pay by credit card?
Yes. Please fill out the appropriate information on your statement and mail it back to us.  The return address is also provided on the backside of the statement.

I called the business office before but my issue continues.  What should I do?
In some cases, changes to a patient's account might take a small amount of time. Should you see that a requested change did not take place, please call us. Make sure you obtain the name of the representative who is assisting you every time you telephone us at (305) 243-8907 so we can track our service. If you are not satisfied with the follow-through, please ask for a supervisor.

According to my Explanation of Benefits (EOB), I am only liable for a certain amount of money and the balance is to be written off, as my physician is a participating provider. What should I do if my bill does not reflect this?
Please contact our customer service unit at (305) 243-8907 with your information. We will be happy to review your information with your insurance carrier to ensure the correct adjustment was made.

May I speak to someone in person?
Of course! Please contact our office at (305) 243-8907 to make arrangements to meet with one of our physician billing coordinators.

May I e-mail you my concerns?
We recognize that our patients have very busy lives, and our Internet service allows you to quickly send us your information via e-mail. You will receive a response from us indicating that we did receive your information and we will follow through as necessary. Email us at: executivemedicine@med.miami.edu

It has been several months since I saw my physician and I am only now receiving a bill. Why?
Some insurance plans take up to 90 days to pay out their patient's claims. During this time, we do not send out information to our patients regarding their billing activity, as we have found this action often confuses our patients. Upon receipt of payment from your insurance carrier, you will receive a bill from our billing office for any residual balance, which includes details of your insurance payment activity and other useful information.

Why do patients get more than one bill?
For services rendered in the hospital, you might receive more than one bill. Please note, however, that you are not paying twice. The hospital bills for their equipment, technicians and supplies. Specially trained doctors, such as radiologists, pathologists or anesthesiologists might perform additional services at the request of your doctor. These specialists will bill you separately. If you have any questions, please call the number printed on the statement you receive from these specialists.

 
Transportation and Lodging
(Click Here for More Information)
 

Where do I stay when I am in Miami?
We have three world class hotels within 10 miles of the Medical Center.

These are:
Mandarin Oriental On Brickell Key - http://www.mandarinoriental.com/miami (305) 913-8383
Four Seasons on Brickell – http://www.fourseasons.com/miami/ (305) 358-3535
Ritz Carlton (Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove and South Beach) - http://www.ritzcarlton.com (305) 644-4680

Our dedicated team is more than happy to assist you with your travel and hotel arrangements.  Please feel free to call us at (305) 243-8907 for more information of local hotels in Miami.

Where can I get information about nearby restaurants, hotels, transportation and things to do?
Miami is home to great weather year round.  As such, there are many attractions including enjoying the beach, playing golf, going boating or visiting Disneyworld (only 4 hours away by car)! Please visit the Miami Chamber of Commerce http://www.greatermiami.com/ for more local attractions.

 

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