What to Expect
PLEASE ALLOW 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 HOURS FOR YOUR INITIAL APPOINTMENT. Your initial appointment will include a consultation followed by a limited physical exam, and testing, as time allows. The consultation includes a full assessment of current and past medical history, family history, environmental history, and social history.

Skin Tests
Testing will consist of scratch and intradermal (just below the skin) type tests. The number and type of testing performed will depend on your age and condition. Generally, the tests are well-tolerated, even in very young children. Each set of testing takes 15- 20 minutes. Results are discussed after testing is completed. Recommendations and options for treatment are discussed during the visit.

PLEASE STOP ALL ANTIHISTAMINE MEDICINES 3 DAYS BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT. Failure to do so will result in inaccurate skin test results. Re-testing may then be required. You MAY continue to use your asthma inhalers, nasal inhalers (other than Astelin), and DECONGESTANT medications (i.e. Sudafed) for symptom control.

Common Antihistamines: AVOID THESE MEDICATIONS

• AH-Chew
• Allegra, Allegra D
• Astelin Nasal Spray
• Atarax
• Benadryl, Benadryl Allergy & Congestion
• Bromfed
• Chlor-Trimeton
• Claritin, Claritin D, Claritin reditabs
• Deconamine SR
• Dimetane-DC, Dimetane DX
• Dimetapp: Plain, Cold & Allergy, DM, Extentabs, Elixir
• Drixoral Cold & Allergy, Allergy/ Sinus
• Dura-vent DA
• Nasalcrom A Allergy Prevention Pack
• Ornade
• Pediacare Cough and Cold
• Periactin
• Phenergan
• Polyhistine D
• Rondec
• Ryna-12 Suspension
• Rynatan, Rynatan-S Pediatric Suspension
• Rynatuss
• Semprex, Semprex D
• Tanafed Suspension
• Tavist
• Triaminic Syrup, Triaminic Night Time
• Triaminicol Cold & Cough
• Trinalin
• Tussi-12 Suspension
• Tussionex
• Vistaril
• Zyrtec

Pulmonary Function Tests
The pulmonary function test is used as a screening test for asthma. Any patient over the age of 5 with lower respiratory symptoms may be asked to perform this test. You will be asked to take a full, deep, breath and blow out as hard as possible. Generally, 3 attempts are required for a good test. You or your child may also be given a medication to relax the muscles in the chest. The test will then be repeated after 15-20 minutes.

Appointments
Scheduled appointments are necessary to see a provider. If you have an urgent concern, your primary care provider should be contacted first. If you have an urgent concern involving asthma or an allergic reaction, we will make every effort to schedule you the same day of your request. However, this is not always possible. Your primary care provider should be contacted for any emergency, as referrals are often required prior to appointment in our clinic. Your primary care provider will be updated on all services provided by our office.

WE WOULD APPRECIATE 24 HOURS NOTICE FOR CANCELLATIONS.

Telephone Calls
We ask you to follow these guidelines:

FOR ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS OR NON-URGENT QUESTIONS: Please call during our normal office hours. Our receptionist will record the necessary information and notify the appropriate team member. Your call will be returned by a medical assistant, nurse or provider as soon as possible.

FOR PRESCRIPTION REFILLS: Please call BEFORE you run out of medication. Have the pharmacy number ready. Refills will not be called in if you have not been evaluated in our office within the past year. Also, it is difficult to diagnose a condition over the phone. Many allergic and infectious problems have similar symptoms and require and examination for accurate treatment. It is not a good practice to prescribe medications, especially antibiotics, over the phone. Therefore, we request you make an appointment.

FOR MEDICAL FORMS: When making a request for FMLA, school forms, disability forms, etc., please allow 5 business days for medical personnel to complete these forms. Access to needed information may require input from other institutions (i.e. hospital records), and requires some time.

AFTER HOURS: Please leave a message on our answering machine for NON-URGENT concerns. An on call staff member may be reached by pager for URGENT concerns only. The pager number can be obtained by calling the office after hours. ANY EMERGENCY should be handled at the EMERGENCY ROOM. Please go to the Emergency Room for any distress IMMEDIATELY!

Allergy Injections
Allergy Injections are done on a walk-in basis. You do not need a scheduled appointment. Scan your patient ID card upon entering the clinic. You will be called by the nurse or medical assistant when it is time to receive your injection. A 20 minute wait in our clinic is required after receiving an allergy injection. We ask that you please arrive no later than 30 minutes before the clinic closes to receive your shot. This allows enough time for you to receive your shot and wait 20 minutes before the clinic closes. Please remember we are closed for the lunch hour, from 12:00- 1:00 p.m.. For your convenience, shot clinic hours are available on a convenient wallet card. Please ask the receptionist for one, if needed.

Referrals
For most insurance plans, referrals for office appointments and shot visits are required. It is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate referrals from the office of your primary care provider PRIOR to your visit. Any fees for unapproved visits will be your responsibility.

Understanding Our Fees and Financial Policies
We welcome you to ask any questions you may have regarding our fees, account balances, or insurance payments. Please phone our Practice Administrator, Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m.. Insurance questions may be directed to our billing assistant during normal business hours on Tuesdays.

PAYMENT FOR AN OFFICE VISIT IS DUE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE.

For your convenience, we accept personal checks, cash, and credit card (Visa, Master Card, and Discover) payment. You will be given an itemized statement at the time of your visit. We will file a claim with your insurance company the day of service. However, even if you carry health insurance, professional services are charged to YOU, not your insurance company. Any financial benefits you receive from insurance are strictly a matter of settlement between you and your insurance company. Even if an insurance claim has been filed, you will still receive a monthly statement. Any balance is the responsibility of the patient and payment should be made at the time of service.

We participate with the following insurance companies:

Each company has several plans which should cover medical care in our clinic. However, it is always best to check with your insurance provider prior to making an appointment in our clinic.

We reserve the right to charge a fee for:

• Appointments canceled less than 24 hours in advance.
• Broken appointments.
• Past due accounts.

Thank you for choosing the Holland Allergy Clinic. We look forward to working with you to meet your healthcare needs.