Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What is your Practice Model?
We would like to familiarize you with the unique nature of our surgical practice for the management of vascular disease. Our doctors do not have their own individual patients. Rather; you may be seen by any one of our professionals on the initial visit or on subsequent follow-up appointments.
The doctors and advanced clinical practitioners work very closely with one another, discuss individual cases amongst themselves, and operate as a team if surgery is necessary for your problem. Most vascular surgery procedures require two trained professionals, and this team approach will greatly benefit you should an operation be required.
This type of practice arrangement enables the doctors and advanced clinical practitioners to be very familiar with all of the individual patient’s problems. Thus, in the event of a particular doctor’s unavailability on a given day, another professional in the practice will respond to your questions or needs. Likewise, you will benefit from the vascular surgeons consulting each other on diagnostic and therapeutic problems.
We strongly believe that you will find that our coordinated team approach to patient management enhances the quality and timeliness of the care that you will receive. Please feel free to discuss this with the doctors, mid- levels or with our office staff if you have any concerns or questions.
What is a peripheral vascular surgeon?
A peripheral vascular surgeon is a physician who treats diseases of the arteries and veins throughout the body, with the exception of the heart and the brain. Our vascular surgeons intervene on pathology with both classic open surgical techniques, as well as state-of-the-art minimally invasive procedures.
At Vascular Surgery Associates we pride ourselves not only in our ability to offer the highest level of surgical care, but also on our willingness and interest in treating patients with non-surgical complaints, such as leg swelling, extremity pain, and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease. Our focus for all our patients is in creating a treatment plan and educating the patient so that they understand the disease process fully. Early intervention with a treatment plan can hopefully avoid the need for future major surgical intervention.
What should I bring with me to my appointment?
• All insurance cards
• Photo ID (i.e. driver’s license)
• Co-pays (for provider appointment and for testing)
• If you have no supplemental insurance to your Medicare, the copay is collected at the time of your visit
• Referral(s) if needed (referrals are the responsibility of the patient to
secure and take to your visit)
• Any medical records that pertain to your visit (i.e. Ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI, etc.)
What insurance policies does your practice accept?
- Medicare
- Blue Cross Blue Shield/ CareFirst
- United Healthcare
- Aetna
- Kaiser
- Cigna
- Most commercial insurers
How long does it take to get an appointment?
- New Patients: Typically, new patients are seen within two weeks, though if a referring doctor believes a patient needs to be seen more urgently, we will make appropriate arrangements.
- Existing Patients: Regular follow-up appointments are made at the time of your current visit. Should you require an earlier appointment, the office will always make appropriate arrangements accordingly. For truly urgent matters, we will fit you into the schedule within 24 hours.
Parking?
There is free parking at all of our locations. However, if you have trouble walking distances, there is a parking garage at each hospital campus.
- Greater Baltimore Medical Center – 1st 30 min free
- Upper Chesapeake Medical Center – 1st 90 min free
- Sinai Hospital Center – 1st 30 min free
- St. Joseph Medical Center – 1st 30 min free
Do you perform vascular testing?
All of our offices have full service, state-of-the-art non-invasive vascular laboratories which are available for comprehensive diagnostic testing of all arteries and veins in the body (with the exception of the brain and heart). Our technologists are all highly trained, very experienced, and experts in the testing they perform.
