Dawn: Billing/Collections Dawn: Front Desk Operations Mailini: Front Desk Operations Debra P. Hoffen: Practice Manager
Secure Messaging and Online Consultation
SECURE
MESSAGING and ONLINE COMMUNICATION are available on this site. You must
login (or register as a NEW USER) to use this service. If you are a new
user, you will be notified by email when your access is approved.
Secure Messaging will allow secure communication(general office
questions; appointments, etc.) via the internet with our office staff.
There is no fee for Secure Messaging.
You may wish to try Online
Consultation. ONLINE CONSULTATION will allow secure communication via
the internet with Dr. Hoffen. Patients will be able to have brief
questions answered by the doctor in a written secure format. This
service is NOT intended for emergency situations.
We know that
coming in for an office visit is not always convenient and has real
costs to you as a patient. Co-payments, gas and parking, lost wages,
child care and other costs of office visits add up and we are sensitive
to these costs and value your time. Our online consultation service and
modest associated fee are designed not only for your convenience, but
also to save you money when your questions, that previously required an
office visit, can be adequately answered online. Online Consultations
will not be the ideal service for all patients, but it will serve the
needs of many and we are happy to offer this new service and
convenience to you. Emergent questions should not be posted via Online
Consultation, as these posts will not be answered immediately. The
questions will be responded to usually within 24 hours, and 72 hours
should be the maximum time for a response. The Online Consultation IS
NOT reimbursed by ANY insurance plans at the present time, and the fee
for the consultation will be billed to your credit card. The fee for
the consultation will be up to $30, depending on the complexity of the
problem. If the problem is too complex to handle via email, it will not
be accepted.
What To Expect: These tests help to evaluate and treat problems related to nerves or muscles.
NCV
testing measures how fast an electrical impulse travels through nerves.
While resting comfortably on a table, several small electrodes will be
taped to your hand and foot. A small electrical stimulator will be
placed on the skin and an electrical impulse will be given. The small
shock may tingle or make your muscles twitch momentarily, but this is
not harmful.
An EMG is performed by inserting a tiny needle into
affected muscles. Electrical signals are recorded at rest and as you
slightly flex the muscle. There is some discomfort when the needle is
inserted but not so much that sedatives or anesthesia is required.
Preprocedure: You
may eat regularly and take all the normal medications prior to the
test. Do not apply any lotions, creams or oils that morning.
Postprocedure: You
may experience some small areas of muscle soreness, but most people
have no difficulty returning to their regular daily activities. Test
results will be made available to you and your referring physician on
the same day.
