Frequently asked questions
Surgery
1. When do I talk to an Anesthesiologist?
The anesthesia interview is conducted prior to your surgery by an anesthesiologist.
2. What are the risks of anesthesia?
The risk of complications is present any time you undergo anesthesia and surgery. Fortunately, serious or debilitating complications are extremely rare in healthy patients. However, the extremes of age, the seriously ill, and those undergoing major or emergency operations share an increased risk profile.
Some major risks routinely discussed include death, myocardial infarction, stroke, allergic reactions, arrhythmias, aspiration, asphyxiation, awareness, bronchospasm, nerve damage, vocal cord damage, dental damage and corneal abrasions.
Minor postoperative side effects include grogginess, muscle aches, nausea/vomiting, sore throat, hoarseness, or bruised lip. Generally, these are self-limited problems that resolve early in the postoperative period. Please alert us if you had any of these problems in the past, so that we can plan a better anesthetic experience for you.
3. What are the side effects of anesthesia?
Although we are constantly improving our techniques, certain side effects from anesthesia and surgery are common, such as sore throat, dizziness, grogginess, muscle pain and nausea/vomiting. These problems generally respond to treatment or resolve with time. Please let us know if you had these problems or any other problems in the past, as that can help us plan a better anesthetic experience.
Pain relief after you leave the recovery area is under the control of your surgeon. It is a good idea to obtain and fill your prescription before your surgery or as soon as possible after your surgery.
Nausea and vomiting are not uncommon with narcotic-based pain medicines, so be sure to ask your surgeon about this possible problem before going home.
4. What is a spinal?
A spinal anesthetic is a form of regional anesthesia, most often utilized for operations on the legs, lower abdomen, perineum, or back, and occasionally for upper abdominal operations. A delicate needle is inserted between the bones of the lower spine (below the level of the spinal cord) into a sac containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and exiting nerve roots. A local anesthetic is then injected, “numbing” these nerves and providing surgical anesthesia.
5. What is an epidural?
An epidural anesthetic is another form of regional anesthesia used for many of the same operations as a spinal. Unlike a spinal in which a onetime dose of local anesthetic is administered, providing a fixed time period of “numbing,” a small epidural catheter is left in place just outside the fluid sac. This catheter can be reinjected during a surgical procedure or childbirth to prolong the anesthetic effect. Epidurals are frequently placed prior to major abdominal and thoracic procedures. After your surgery, these epidural catheters can be infused with a narcotic and/or local anesthetic to provide pain relief. This service is managed by the Anesthesia Department and typically runs for several days after your surgery.
Billing and insurance
1. Have you billed my insurances?
Yes. We bill both primary and secondary insurance if we have your billing information. However, the secondary insurance cannot be billed until after the primary insurance (including Medicare) has been billed and has paid. Your first statement following your services with us will be itemized and will show that your insurance has been billed.
2. If you billed my insurance and it has not paid, why I am receiving a statement?
We send out monthly statements as long as there is a balance on your account. This is for your information so that you may follow up with your insurance company should they deny or delay payment.
3. Is Northwest Anesthesia Physicians a part of the Bridge Assistance program?
No, that is a separate program sponsored by PeaceHealth.
4. Are your charges included with the hospital charges?
No. We are a separate group. You will be billed separately for our charges.
5. Can I wait until my insurance pays before I pay my portion?
Yes. We bill your insurance as a courtesy. We will make every effort on your behalf to assist your insurance company in paying their responsible portion. However, if your insurance has not paid after thirty days from receipt of our claim, we ask you to contact them. After sixty days from our billing date, we will look to you for payment of your outstanding bill.
6. My insurance company sent me a form to fill out asking if my services were accident related. Since services were not the result of an accident, I did not send back the form. Now my insurance has refused to pay. Why?
Even if your services were not due to an accident, if you receive any questionnaire or form to fill out and return to your insurance company, you must do so before your insurance will consider your claim for payment. If you do not respond to insurance company inquiries your claim will be denied.
7. Can I choose to designate my health insurance to be billed if my injury is work related?
No. If your injury is work related, we are required by law to bill the worker’s compensation carrier. If we receive a final denial from your worker’s compensation carrier we can then bill your health insurance.
8. My insurance company made payment to you indicating certain charges were above their “usual & customary” fees and indicated that I would not be responsible for these charges. Is that correct?
No. Charges that are determined by the insurance company as above “usual & customary" and excluded from payment will be the responsibility of the patient.
9. I do not have insurance coverage. What kind of financial arrangements can I make?
If you are unable able to pay your account in full within 30 days, please contact our Patient Accounts Representative. Should you need to make payment arrangements you will be asked to fill out and return a personal financial statement. (Exception: Cosmetic surgery requires payment in advance. See question 10 below)
10. I am having elective cosmetic surgery that is not covered by insurance. What will my payment arrangements be?
Elective cosmetic surgeries require payment in advance of the procedure. Please call our office prior to your procedure and ask to speak to our person that makes the cosmetic surgery prepayment arrangements. You will be given an estimate of your charges along with instructions for prepayment. Failing to prepay for this surgery could result in the cancellation of your surgery.