Scheduling Appointments

• We are a “referral only” office.  We require a referral from your primary care physician.
• As soon as our office receives your referral, we will first verify your insurance benefits to make sure we are part of your insurance network. (Please look at “Insurance Networks” on the web site to see our network affiliation.)
• We request you forward a copy of your medical records prior to scheduling your initial appointment.  We will review your medical records before an appointment is given.  We reserve the right to NOT schedule an appointment – after reviewing your medical records, we may decide we will not be able to participate in your medical care.
• Our office staff will then contact you directly to schedule the initial appointment.
• We try to see patients within 2 weeks of receiving the referral, but sometimes new appointments can delayed upto 8-12 weeks.
• We normally see new patients on Thursdays, all day.
• If the appointment involves a Work-Comp issue, we must obtain a written approval from the WC adjuster prior to scheduling the appointment.
• We request ALL new patients to arrive at the office at least 1 hour BEFORE their scheduled appointment.
• This will ensure that all paperwork issues are completed before your scheduled appointment time. Otherwise, your consultation time will be delayed.
• Be prepared to spend 2-3 hours in the office as we conduct a very detailed neurological evaluation, consisting of:
  • (1) an initial evaluation with an upper level medical student or medical resident, followed by
  • (2) a prolonged private discussion (sometimes 45 min to 1 hour) between Dr. Athni and the student / resident, followed by
  • (3) another detailed assessment by Dr. Athni.

Consent – Who Can Accompany Patient Into Exam Room

• If you are being seen thru Worker’s Comp, we will only allow the patient in the exam room.  If a NCM or Adjustor wants to meet with Dr. Athni, they will need to schedule a separate appointment with the front office.
• If you are an adult and are being seen thru your private insurance or Medicare or Tricare, we will allow your spouse into the exam room.
• BUT, for anyone else, we will need a notarized Medical Power-of-Attorney (Medical POA) stating the third-party is allowed to be involved in the patient’s care.  This would include friends or a parent of a patient or an adult child of a patient.
• This is a standard practice in Psychiatric offices.  Although we are not treating Psychiatric illnesses, many of our patients have cognitive and neurodegenerative issues.  To make sure decisions are being made in the best interest of the patient, we require such a POA.  Even if you do not have any issues which involve your cognitive abilities, we have one policy for all patients.
• We hope you understand the rationale for this policy.  We are merely trying to make sure unauthorized people (who may not have the patient’s best interest) are not involved in medical decisions.

Thank You!

Dear Patient,

As part of our commitment to providing exceptional care, our office plays an integral part in medical education, helping young doctors-in-training learn Clinical Neurology.

I want to express my gratitude for your willingness to participate in medical education. Your contributions play a vital role in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Why Your Assistance Matters:

• • Educational Impact: By allowing students to observe and learn during your appointments, you contribute to their understanding of real-world patient interactions. Your experiences provide invaluable insights.
  • Clinical Exposure: Students gain firsthand knowledge of various medical conditions, diagnostic processes, and treatment plans through your case. Your openness fosters a rich learning environment.
  • Empathy and Communication: Your interactions demonstrate effective communication, empathy, and patient-centered care. These qualities inspire students to emulate best practices.

How You Can Help:

• • Be Open: Continue sharing your experiences openly. Your insights into symptoms, coping strategies, and treatment outcomes are invaluable.
  • Ask Questions: Feel free to ask students about their learning goals. Engaging in dialogue helps them refine their skills and knowledge.
  • Feedback: Provide constructive feedback. Let us know how we can enhance the educational experience for both you and the students.

Benefits for You:

• • Enhanced Care: Student involvement often leads to thorough assessments and comprehensive care plans.
  • Empowerment: Knowing that you contribute to medical education empowers you as an active participant in your own health journey.
  • Community Impact: By educating future healthcare providers, you positively impact the broader community.

Thank you for your generosity and willingness to be part of our educational mission. Your partnership ensures that compassionate, competent care continues to thrive.

Warmest regards,

Sudhir S. Athni, MD
Medical Director, Neurology of Central Georgia
Assistant Clinical Professor, Medical College of Georgia
President, Georgia Neurological Society

Expected Payments

If you are a Work Injury or IME patient – No payment is required at time of office visit

• If you are being seen as an authorized Work Injury patient or as an authorized IME, you will NOT be asked to pay anything. All your bills will be handled through your Worker’s Compensation Insurance Company or your attorney.

What is your payment if you have Medicare?

• If Medicare is your primary insurance, then we expect 20 percent of your “Medicare allowable charges” and any deductible required for the calendar year.
• Per federal regulations, the Medicare deductible for calendar year 2024 is $240.

What is your payment if you have commercial (PPO or HMO) insurance?

• We will typically verify your insurance before you arrive at our office.
• If we are a “participating provider” for your insurance plan, then we will only collect the co-pay (either a set dollar amount or percentage).
• You may also be asked to pay any deductible that may not have been met for the calendar year.

What if we are NOT in your insurance network?

• If we are not in your insurance network, you may be asked to pay your bill in-full.
  Please discuss this with our office manager prior to your office visit.

What if you have NO insurance?

• If you are a NEW patient without a valid verifiable insurance, we will NOT be able to see you as a patient
• If you are an existing patient and have lost your insurance or we are no longer in your insurance network, then we expect full payment at the time of service.

Insurance Verification:

• We will verify your insurance PRIOR to your office visit.
• This verification will inform us of your insurance contract stipulations, including any co-pays you are required to pay.

WHEN to Pay:

• We expect payment at the time of service.

TYPE of Payment:

• Our office prefers cash or credit card (MC, Visa, Discover, and Amex).
• You may also pay On-Line thru this web site. We offer a Secure Payment process, powered by Pay-Pal.
• Due to the high number of “bounced checks”, we do NOT accept checks as a form of payment.