Practice Policies

Advanced Hernia Specialists is committed to providing thoughtful, respectful, and highly personalized surgical care. This page summarizes several important practice policies so patients understand how our practice works before scheduling a consultation or receiving care.

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Patients are asked to review and sign the full AHS Patient Agreement and Practice Policies during the intake process. The signed agreement contains the complete and current terms that apply to the patient relationship.

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General Consent and Patient Responsibilities:

 

By becoming a patient of Advanced Hernia Specialists, you consent to reasonable and necessary medical evaluations, testing, recommendations, and treatment by AHS physicians and providers.

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The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science, and no specific outcome or result can be guaranteed. Additional consent forms may be required before surgery or other procedures.

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Patients are responsible for providing accurate and complete medical information, asking questions when something is unclear, following the agreed treatment plan, keeping scheduled appointments, and meeting financial obligations for services provided.

 

Patient Rights:

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Advanced Hernia Specialists is committed to treating every patient with dignity, compassion, and respect.

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Patients have the right to privacy, informed decision-making, timely communication, and information necessary to understand their diagnosis, treatment options, expected recovery, and financial responsibilities.

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Patients also have the right to ask questions, request clarification, obtain copies of their medical records as permitted by law, and make decisions about recommended care.

 

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Out-of-Network Practice Model

 

Advanced Hernia Specialists is an out-of-network practice with all insurance plans. We do not participate in insurance networks and do not accept assignment of benefits.

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Payment for AHS professional services is due before or at the time of service, unless other arrangements have been made in writing.

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If requested, AHS can provide an itemized statement, often called a superbill, that patients may submit directly to their insurance company if they have out-of-network benefits. Reimbursement is never guaranteed, and patients remain responsible for all AHS fees regardless of whether an insurance company reimburses them.

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Facility fees, anesthesia fees, hospital charges, imaging, laboratory testing, pathology, and other services may be billed separately by the outside facility or provider involved in the patient’s care. Coverage, discounts, and patient responsibility for those services depend on the facility, anesthesia group, insurance plan, and specific circumstances.

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Extended Surgical Time

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Our self-pay pricing is designed to be transparent. The quoted rate for a hernia repair covers one hour of operating room time, which includes the surgery center facility fee, the anesthesia provider's fee, and Dr. Pinnar's professional fee. Surgical mesh is billed separately, based on the actual type and size used during your procedure.

Some hernias are more complex than they appear on imaging. Factors such as size, prior surgery, or scar tissue can extend the time needed in the operating room. If this occurs, the surgery center and anesthesia provider bill for the extra time in 15-minute increments. These charges reflect only the additional facility and anesthesia time and are passed on to the patient. Dr. Pinnar's professional fee does not increase, regardless of how long the surgery takes. If additional charges apply, you will receive a written breakdown before any payment is processed.

When extended operating time is anticipated before surgery, based on the complexity of your specific case, this will be discussed with you in advance. In those situations, a prepayment for the additional facility and anesthesia time will be collected before your procedure. Any unused time will be refunded after reconciliation with the surgery center and anesthesia provider.

 

Payment Responsibility:

 

Patients are financially responsible for charges incurred for services provided by Advanced Hernia Specialists.

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Unpaid balances may be subject to additional collection activity as described in the signed patient agreement. Patients who have questions about pricing, payment timing, superbills, or out-of-network reimbursement are encouraged to contact our office before scheduling care.

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Electronic Communication:

 

Advanced Hernia Specialists uses electronic health record systems, secure patient portals, email, telephone, text messaging, and other communication tools to support patient care and practice operations.

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Electronic communication may involve privacy risks, and no electronic communication method can be guaranteed to be completely secure. A separate Authorization for Electronic Communication may be provided for patient signature and will describe electronic communication risks and preferences in more detail.

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Please do not use email, text messaging, the website contact form, or the patient portal for emergencies or urgent medical concerns. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

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Messages are generally reviewed during regular business hours, and a response may take up to 48 hours.

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Calls to and from Advanced Hernia Specialists may be recorded for quality assurance, documentation, and transcription purposes. By calling our office, you consent to the recording of that call. If you do not wish to have your call recorded, please notify us at the start of the call and we will make appropriate arrangements.

 

Medication and Prescription Policy:

 

Prescriptions are provided only when medically appropriate. Controlled substances are prescribed in accordance with applicable law and Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program requirements.

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Routine or long-term medications should generally be managed by the patient’s primary care provider or the appropriate treating specialist.

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Appointment Cancellations and Continuity of Care:

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Patients are expected to keep scheduled appointments or notify the office as early as possible if an appointment must be changed or canceled.

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Advanced Hernia Specialists may discontinue the patient relationship for repeated missed appointments, non-payment, disruptive behavior, failure to follow practice policies, or other appropriate reasons consistent with Florida law. When appropriate, AHS will provide reasonable assistance with transferring records to another provider.

 

Questions:
 

If you have questions about these practice policies, please contact us:

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Advanced Hernia Specialists
4788 Hodges Boulevard, Suite 102
Jacksonville, Florida 32224
Phone: 904-808-5658
Email: support@advancedherniaspecialists.com

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