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Hillside Medical Group

Our Offices Will Be Open On Christmas Eve And New Year’s Eve.        Our Offices Will Be Open On Christmas Eve And New Year’s Eve.       Our Offices Will Be Open On Christmas Eve And New Year’s Eve.       Our Offices Will Be Open On Christmas Eve And New Year’s Eve.

FAQs

Why are wait times sometimes longer than expected?

We aim to see every patient within 60 minutes. Occasionally, unexpected emergencies or complex visits may cause delays. This is common in all medical practices. We are continuously working on improvements, including 24-hour pre-check-in, to make your visit smoother.
Electronic check-in helps us:
  • Reduce wait times
  • Avoid repeating forms
  • Prepare your visit ahead of time
It’s a faster, simpler way for you to get checked in.
This keeps your information safe and private. By entering it yourself, our staff has no access to your personal financial details.
Providing your insurance info ahead of time allows us to:
  • Verify coverage
  • Confirm your copay or deductible
  • Give your provider the information they need for your visit
Some insurance verifications can take 1–2 hours, so this helps everything run smoothly.
For certain insurance plans, your provider must document the medical reason for a referral. This ensures your insurance can approve it and you get the care you need.
Some medications require insurance approval before they can be prescribed. We submit all necessary information, but the insurance company makes the final decision.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. An EKG helps detect early signs of heart problems and ensures your medications are safe for your heart.
This allows our in-office staff to focus on patients without distractions. Our virtual assistants are trained to answer calls quickly and respectfully, so you get fast, friendly service.
For some insurance plans (like HMOs), you need to select a PCP for coverage. This ensures your visit, referrals, and authorizations are processed correctly.
We send:
  • Email 1 week before
  • Text 48 hours before
  • Call 48 hours before
These reminders help you avoid missed appointments or late cancellation fees. Once you confirm, notifications stop.
Missed appointments prevent other patients from being seen and increase wait times. Fees encourage timely cancellations so everyone can receive the care they need.
This allows us to securely process late-cancellation or no-show fees while protecting your information.
Allergy shots are custom-made by specialized pharmacies. Production and shipping can take extra time, which is beyond our control.
Allergens can change from year to year. Testing annually helps ensure your treatment remains accurate.
Initial labs follow medical guidelines to screen for common conditions like cholesterol, diabetes, anemia, and vitamin deficiencies.
Forms such as FMLA and disability are not covered by insurance. Provider time and expertise are required, so a small fee ensures your forms are handled properly.
Providers sometimes move or change specialties. Our goal is always continuity of care so your treatment isn’t interrupted.
You can contact your provider by:
  • Phone
  • Email
  • Patient portal messaging
We want you to feel supported and connected.
HIPAA rules require protecting your privacy. Results are available through your patient portal or during your visit.
This ensures your records stay private. You may also request records in person if you prefer.
We do not charge for the preventive annual physical itself. Sometimes there is confusion about what counts as a preventive visit versus a medical visit:
  • Preventive care: Routine screenings and preventive discussions (e.g., mammograms, colon cancer screening, vaccinations, blood pressure and diabetes checks). Usually fully covered.
  • Medical issues discovered or treated during the visit: Conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes that require treatment are considered office visits, and standard copays or deductibles apply.
Providing insurance info ahead of time helps us:
  • Check coverage
  • Figure out your copay or deductible
  • Give your provider all the info they need
Insurance verification can take 1–2 hours, so giving details in advance keeps things moving smoothly.
There’s a shortage of primary care nationwide. More locations mean better access for patients.
You can reach your provider by:
  • Phone
  • Email
  • Patient portal messaging
We want you to feel supported and connected!
We aim to see every patient within 60 minutes. Sometimes emergencies, complex cases, or patients needing extra care can cause delays. This isn’t unique to our office — it happens at every medical practice. We’re constantly improving scheduling and workflow. For example:
  • 24-hour pre-check-in helps staff prepare your forms and insurance details in advance
  • Streamlined rooming and triage ensures patients with urgent needs are prioritized
Thank you for your patience — it helps us provide safe, thorough care for everyone.
Electronic check-in helps us:
  • Reduce wait times
  • Avoid repeating the same forms multiple times
  • Prepare your provider ahead of your visit
For example, if you have multiple medications or recent lab results, entering information electronically helps your provider start the visit ready to address your needs immediately.
Security is our top priority. By entering your credit card info yourself:
  • Staff never sees or stores your personal financial information
  • Your data is encrypted and safely stored by a secure payment processor
This gives you control over your information while allowing us to handle billing securely.
Providing insurance details in advance allows us to:
  • Verify coverage and benefits
  • Calculate your copay or deductible
  • Educate your provider on what services your plan covers
Some insurance verifications take 1–2 hours, so providing this info before your visit prevents delays at check-in.
No, our staff can check you in manually. However, electronic check-in:
  • Protects your personal health information
  • Reduces wait time
  • Lets you complete forms ahead of your visit
We’re happy to assist you either way.
Insurance companies, especially HMOs, require your provider to document the medical reason for a referral. Seeing your provider first ensures:
  • The referral is accurate
  • Insurance approves it without delays
  • Your care is coordinated safely
We submit referrals within 24 hours, but insurance approval can take 2–4 weeks. This depends on:
  • Insurance workload
  • Need for additional documentation
  • Specialist availability
We always follow up to avoid unnecessary delays.
Insurance sometimes requires approval for certain medications before prescribing. We provide:
  • Accurate medical details
  • Supporting lab results
  • Clinical notes
Insurance evaluates the request and determines approval. This ensures safe and effective treatment while complying with your plan.
After your visit:
  • We submit a claim to your insurance
  • Insurance decides coverage and patient responsibility
  • Any remaining balance appears on your account
Your statement may reflect:
  • Copay for office visits
  • Deductible or coinsurance
  • Services not covered under preventive care
We are happy to explain any charges.
Yes — statements are mailed monthly, so you always know what’s owed. We also provide online access for convenience.
Mistakes are rare, but if you notice one:
  • Contact us first — we’ll review and explain everything
  • If you’re not satisfied, your insurance can audit your chart
We value transparency and want you to feel confident in your care.
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in the U.S. An EKG helps:
  • Detect early signs of heart problems
  • Ensure medications are safe for your heart
  • Track changes over time
Even if you feel well, this test provides important preventative information.
Labs help monitor:
  • Organ function (kidneys, liver)
  • Blood counts
  • Cholesterol, blood sugar, and other markers
Regular monitoring ensures your medications remain safe and effective as you age or if doses change.
A specialized billing team allows us to:
  • Focus on your care in the office
  • Handle claims accurately
  • Resolve insurance issues efficiently
If you need clarification, you can always speak directly with a billing manager in the office.
Our in-office staff can focus entirely on your care, while virtual assistants:
  • Answer calls quickly (95% answered in under 30 seconds)
  • Provide friendly, respectful service
  • Handle scheduling and pre-check-in
This ensures a smooth experience for every patient.
Some of our services include:
  • Allergy testing & treatment
  • Cardiac testing
  • Diabetic neuropathy testing
  • In-house labs
We also coordinate referrals for other specialties as needed. Check our Services page for full details.
Some insurance plans (like HMOs) require your PCP to be updated for coverage.
  • Without the correct PCP, insurance may deny your visit
  • Referrals and prior authorizations may not process
Updating your PCP ahead of time ensures smooth care.
Yes, after 3 missed appointments, but we always try to work with patients first. Our goal is to help you stay on track with your care.
It allows us to securely process late-cancellation or no-show fees. Your card is safely stored by a secure processor, not in our office.
It’s a small test charge to verify your card. The $0.01 is refunded within 24 hours. This keeps your information secure while allowing you to use electronic payments safely.
Being a patient here is a trusted relationship. If trust is broken, we may recommend another provider to ensure you get the best care possible.
Insurance networks differ by plan. We provide referral options, but sometimes you need to confirm in-network doctors with your insurance. This ensures coverage and avoids unexpected costs.
Allergy shots are custom-made by specialty pharmacies. Production and shipping times can vary, which is outside our control.
Initial labs follow medical guidelines to screen for:
  • Cholesterol and heart health
  • Diabetes
  • Anemia
  • Vitamin deficiencies
This gives your provider a full picture of your health from the start.
Lab costs are determined by your insurance plan. We provide upfront information so there are no surprise bills later.
You can:
  • Keep a credit on your account for future visits
  • Request a refund mailed to your home
We make this process simple and fast.
There’s a national shortage of primary care providers. Opening more locations helps patients access care sooner and closer to home.
You can reach your provider by:
  • Phone
  • Email
  • Patient portal messaging
We want you to feel connected and supported.
This protects your privacy and personal health information. You can also request records in person if you prefer.