Office Policy

Dean L. Johnston, M.D., F.A.C.S.

In our commitment to provide a unique and outstanding experience to each and every one of our patients, and out of consideration for Dr. Johnston's time and schedule, we have adopted the following policies:

ARRIVAL (first-time patients)

Please arrive for your appointment(s) 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. This allows you the time to fill out the appropriate patient intake form, use the restroom, become acclimated to our office, etc. If late arrival is unavoidable, your service(s) may be shortened in order to preserve and respect our next patient's scheduled appointment time. If you are using a gift certificate, half-off website voucher, coupon, discount, etc, you MUST mention this when booking your appointment. Failure to do so will void the full value of said coupon, voucher, gift certificate, etc.

RESCHEDULING

If it is necessary for you to reschedule your session(s), 24 -48 hours notice is required for individual patients. Please refer to the follow section regarding late cancellations. We reserve the right to reschedule treatments under the same guidelines.

CANCELLATION POLICY

A credit card will be required to reserve your cosmetic consultation with Dr. Johnston. In the event of a no-show or failure to cancel your reservation within 24-hours prior to your start-time, your card will be charged $50 for your missed appointment.

REFUND POLICY

We do not ordinarily offer refunds of any kind, including gift certificates, pre-paid treatments, packages, etc. If you do not want to use prepaid services for yourself, please feel free to share them with others. They'll deeply appreciate the offer and service. We are compassionate people, and do understand that hardships occur. If you have purchased a package and do indeed feel that a refund is a necessity that impacts the welfare of yourself and/or your family, we are willing to address such issues on a case-by-case basis, and ONLY in the event of hardship. Scheduling, personality, and customer service issues do not warrant this exception. Partially used packages will be prorated and adjusted to reflect regular pricing on services already used, and complimentary sessions are voided as the package was refunded.

LATE ARRIVAL POLICY

As a courtesy to our other guests and staff, appointments will be automatically cancelled 15 minutes after scheduled start time and charged according to our cancellation policy. We regret that late arrivals will not receive extension of scheduled appointments. In special cases, and when our schedule will allow, we may be able to accommodate a partial or full appointment. This will be solely at our discretion and only with proper, 60 minute advanced notification of your late arrival.

A note regarding the surge of 'half-off' websites, ie: Groupon, Living Social, etc. With all of the Groupon copycat ½ off sites in the marketplace today; one can virtually receive a ½-price service at a different establishment every day of the week. Our approach to the discounted deals we offer is basically that they attract new clients to our wellness center at an amazingly affordable price...for their first visit. Please know that we are not in a position to honor these offers more than once per person. You can certainly purchase as many as you like as gifts for others...share the love.

Financial Policy

Thank you for choosing Dean L. Johnston, M.D., Inc. as your health care provider. We are committed to the success of your treatment. All matters concerning your medical care will be considered to be a health care treatment and subject to the Medical Practices Act of Florida. The medical services provided by our office are services you have elected to receive, which imply a financial responsibility on your part.

COSMETIC PROCEDURES/SELF PAY

Elective procedures must have financial arrangements made in advance of scheduling. Payment for services is due two weeks prior to the procedure. The practice will accept cash, carrier's checks, personal checks, and the following major credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, and American Express. We charge a $25 service fee for all returned checks. As a convenience to you, financing is also available. For those individuals who pay by credit card, debit card, or finance companies, you are not eligible for credit card challenge or "charge back" to the finance companies once the service is provided as per this agreement.

INSURANCE

We participate in most insurance plans. If you are not insured by a plan we participate with, payment in full is expected at each visit. If you are insured by a plan we participate with but do not have an up-to-date card, payment in full for each visit is required until we can verify coverage. Knowing your insurance benefits is your responsibility. Please contact your insurance company with any questions you may have regarding your coverage plan.

MEDICARE

We are a participating Medicare provider. Medicare as well as your secondary insurance (if any) will be billed for you. However, that does not mean that all services are covered. Patients are responsible for paying their annual deductible if it has not been met. You are also responsible for any co-payments, which are usually 20% of the allowed amount for an item or service.

CO-PAYMENTS AND DEDUCTIBLES

All co-payments and deductibles must be paid in full at the time of service. This arrangement is part of your contract with your insurance company.

SELF-PAY

Payment in full is due at the time of service if you do not have health insurance.

NON-COVERED SERVICES

Please be aware that some services you receive may not be covered, or considered reasonable or medically necessary for coverage by Medicare or other insurance carriers. You are responsible for payment of these services.

REFERRALS/AUTHORIZATIONS

We are required to follow the guidelines of your managed care plan, which may require a referral from your primary care physician prior to your appointment when visiting a specialist's office. Therefore, if a referral is required and not presented at the time of your visit, your appointment will be rescheduled or you will be financially responsible for services received, paid in full upon completion of the visit.

CLAIM SUBMISSION

As a courtesy service to you, we will submit your insurance claims for the services rendered in our office, and assist you in anyway we reasonably can to help get your claims paid. Your insurance company may need information from you. It is your responsibility to comply with their request. Please be aware that the balance of your claim is your responsibility, whether or not your insurance company pays your claim.

PATIENT BILLING

You will receive a statement from us on the status of your claim and encourage your help in receiving payment after 30 days. You will be sent up to three statements for your financial responsibility after your insurance has processed Claims. After the third notice your account may be forwarded to a Collection Agency. If your account is assigned to an outside collection agency, additional fees will be added. Please let the billing departments know if you have difficulties resolving your bill. Payment arrangements may be considered on a case-to-case basis.

FORM COMPLETION

Completing Disability Forms, Family Leave Forms, or your third insurance forms require office staff time, copies to be made, and time out of Dr. Johnston's schedule which takes away from patient care. Therefore, our charge for this service is $15.00 and we request up to three business days for completion of this task.

PAYMENT POLICY

By visiting DEANJOHNSTONMD.COM you agree that all balances will be due in full at the time of your office visit. We will provide you with a copy of your bill and the insurance credits upon request. We reserve the right to charge a $50.00 fee for missed appointments and an additional charge for surgical appointments. If you are unable to make your appointment, please cancel or reschedule by calling our office at least 24 hours in advance.

If you are paying by insurance, you the undersigned certify that you (or your dependent) have coverage with your insurance as presented and assign directly to Dean L. Johnston, M.D., Inc. all insurance benefits payable to you for services rendered. You understand that you am responsible for co-pays, deductibles, and/or non-covered services. You hereby authorize the doctor to release all information necessary to secure payment of benefits. You authorize Release of Medical Information to your insurance carrier, or requested physician to provide continuity of care. You authorize any physician or medical facility that has treated me in the past to release a copy of your record to Dean L. Johnston, M.D., Inc. you authorize use of this signature on all insurance benefits.

You understand that it is your responsibility to inform the Doctor's office if there is a change in your health insurance information and/or contact information. By using this website WWW.DEANJOHNSTONMD.COM you understand and accept these terms.

If you have any questions regarding our office & financial policy please contact us at: info@deanjohnstonmd.com.