About Our Office
We would like to make the time you spend with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible. You should bring reading material to occupy your time. We offer free Wi-Fi internet access in the waiting area, bring your laptop! Magazines, coffee, tea, and assorted cookies will be available in the waiting room. If your visit extends through the lunch hour, you may visit the Café on the first floor or bring a snack or lunch with you. Please note there is a fee for late cancellations.
Preparing for surgery
The morning of surgery:
Be well rested and eat a good breakfast. Please bathe or shower and wash your hair to minimize your risk of a surgical site infection.
Medical History:
Upon arrival at our office you will be asked to complete a medical history form. Please bring a list of your medications, allergies, and illnesses.
Medications:
Continue all medications prescribed by your doctor including blood thinners like Coumadin, Plavix, or Aspirin. If you are on Coumadin, we need to have a recent INR level (within 7 days of surgery). You will need to call your doctor’s office that prescribed Coumadin and ask them to fax us the results. If you are taking herbal supplements please discontinue them 7-10 days prior to your surgery appointment. (This includes Fish Oil, Vitamin E, Ginko, Garlic, Ginseng, and Ginger). You may take Tylenol if needed for pain. Alcohol will also increase bleeding, so avoid alcoholic beverages 48 hours before and after surgery.
Transportation:
It is very helpful if you arrange to have a companion drive you to and from the doctor’s office because the doctor, in rare cases, may give you a mild sedative pill. If the skin cancer is on your face, the surgical site pressure bandage may interfere with your field of vision. In addition, you may be more comfortable having someone to keep you company in the waiting room.
After Surgery:
You may have bruising, swelling, and some pain. These are all normal and will resolve. Usually one return visit, 5-7 days after surgery, is all that is needed to examine the healed surgical site or to remove the surgical dressing. In most cases, we use dissolving stitches, so suture removal is not required. Afterwards, your referring physician will need to see you to perform routine skin checks. Once you have had one skin cancer, you are at a higher risk of developing another one elsewhere
Important Reminders
- DO advise us as soon as possible if you must cancel or change your appointment
- DO take your prescription medication on schedule
- DO shower and wash your hair prior to surgery to minimize risk of infection
- DO eat a normal breakfast unless instructed otherwise
- DO dress comfortably
Patient/Insurance Billing
Please be sure to bring your current insurance cards to each visit. We will need to keep a current copy in your records. You can check your insurance coverage by calling the phone number on the back of your insurance card to check participation status with Dr. Hendi. If there are any questions about our participation with your insurance, please contact us prior to surgery. This will help us to estimate any out of pocket expenses.
Participating plans: We participate with Medicare and the various products offered by the following insurance plans:
- Aetna
- CareFirst BCBS (Anthem, BlueChoice, Federal)
- CIGNA
- GEHA
- NCPPO (Unicare and Health Link)
- OneNet
- Tricare
- United Health Care
We are always adding plans to better serve our patients and referring physicians. Please call our office if you do not see your insurance plan on the list provided.
We will file claims for all services covered by your insurance plan. You will be asked to pay for any services not covered by your insurance. Expenses not covered include deductible, co-insurance, co-pay amounts, and occasionally office visits. Payments may be made by cash, check or credit card. We are NOT able to accept American Express.
Preauthorization:
If prior authorization or referral is required, please contact your insurance company or your primary care physician at least one week prior to your appointment. Let them know the following:
- You are having Mohs surgery performed in an office setting.
- Procedure code 17311
- Diagnosis code C44.X
- Your surgical site may require reconstruction. If needed this will be performed in our outpatient surgical facility.
We would not want anyone to be denied medical care because of an inability to pay. If you have difficulties understanding or paying your bill, we encourage you to discuss this with our billing staff.
