Many HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) insurance companies require a referral for you to see a specialist. This referral allows the specialist to receive insurance payment. Without a referral, the patient is directly responsible for payments.

It is the patient's responsibility to ensure that their PCP has forwarded a referral to the specialist or to bring it with him/her to their visit.

Most insurance plans require that you have a primary care physician that coordinates all of your care and makes referrals to specialists for conditions they cannot treat.

The physicians of Michigan Heart, PC are heart specialists and do not provide general medical care. Initially your primary cardiologist may prescribe some medications, order some tests and / or procedures. Once your heart condition has been stabilized, your care will be returned to your PCP. Medication refills will need to come from your PCP. Your PCP will address all of your other health concerns / needs.

Insurance companies change their coverage and billing procedures frequently. When you come for your visit the reception staff will make copies of your cards and ask to verify that your information is accurate. If there is any question regarding the billing/coverage of your office visit, our Billing Department has a copy of your current card so they can discuss coverage issues with your insurance company.

Your health care concerns are important to us, and we take your Questions very seriously. We like to give all of our patients the same high quality care and attention, but at the time of your call, your cardiologist may be with another patient or performing a procedure and cannot be interrupted. Also, your cardiologist may not be in the office at that time because our cardiologists serve multiple locations.

Our nurses are trained to answer most questions that you may have when your cardiologist is not available. When necessary, the nurse will contact your physician and return your call.

When calling with a question, we ask that you provide the necessary information to the person answering the phone. Your concerns and questions will be given directly to a nurse. The nurse may be able to answer your question immediately or may need time to review your chart then return your call as soon as possible.

Some tests require that you stop taking certain medications prior to the test. There are also foods that you should not consume or you may be asked to not eat for a number of hours before the test.

Our test schedulers will be able to answer any questions you may have regarding medications or food consumption before your test. You may call (734)712-5200 to have your questions answered.

If you have had a heart bypass or other cardiac surgery, if you have had a heart attack or were hospitalized for congestive heart failure within the last 3 months you should give the forms to your cardiologist. All other reasons for disability must be directed to your primary care physician.

We ask that you bring your medications or an accurate and complete list to every office visit so that every medication can be correctly documented. Often patients have prescriptions from several physicians, making it even more important that all medications are recorded so they may be reviewed for drug interactions and potential side effects.

Your cardiologist may start you on new cardiac medications. Frequently, samples are given to make sure you will tolerate the new medications. Your cardiologist may write the initial prescription. Please obtain your refills from your primary care physician who has access to all of your medical information.

If you wish to get copies of your records for yourself or other physician, simply ask at your appointment or stop by the office. You will be required by law to sign a release of information form indication to whom and where you want information sent. These requests can take up to ten business days to process. OR, you may call our medical records department at (734)712-5203

If your call is urgent, a nurse will contact you as soon as possible. Your records may need to be reviewed and/or your cardiologist may need to be consulted before your call is returned. If you are having an emergency, please call 911.

If your call is non-urgent, a team assistant or nurse will return your call generally within 1-2 business days. We may need to consult with your cardiologist to answer your question.

Someone from the Cath Lab will call you with a time to arrive. You may get a call up until approximately 5pm the day before.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has recommended that certain patients should take preventative antibiotics before certain procedures, such as dental cleanings, so potential infections can be prevented.

Your cardiologist will inform you at your visit if it is necessary for you to take preventative antibiotics. Generally, only patients that have heart valve disease or have had a heart valve replacement will be recommended to follow these guidelines.

If you are instructed to take antibiotics, you will be given an AHA card stating your doctor has recommended antibiotics. It is your dentist's responsibility to prescribe the antibiotics.

If your cardiologist recommends a diagnostic test for your heart, chances are you can have it performed in a Michigan Heart, PC office near where you live.

Michigan Heart, PC offers full service diagnostic testing with state of the art equipment at all of our locations. The same technicians, nurses and physicians perform the testing at each location.

Cardiac testing centers are located in: Ann Arbor, Adrian, Brighton, Canton, Jackson, and Livonia.

If the test was ordered by your primary care physician and the result is Urgent, Michigan Heart will contact your doctor as soon as possible. If the result is Not Urgent, Michigan Heart will send the results by mail to your primary care physician as soon as your results have been obtained and reviewed.

If a Michigan Heart Cardiologist ordered the test and the result is Urgent, we will contact you as soon as possible. If the result is Not Urgent, we will contact you by phone or mail as soon as your results have been obtained and reviewed.

You will see your primary cardiologist for all office visits, unless it's an emergency and your doctor is not available.

This is a large group practice. Cardiologists cover a variety of areas. For example, they treat Michigan Heart patients admitted to St. Joseph Mercy and area hospitals. They perform procedures in the hospital and office and see patients in several regional offices throughout southeastern Michigan.

It is likely that if you are in the hospital, you will see one of your doctor's partners. Even though you'll be seeing someone other than your cardiologist, that doctor will have access to all of your records and will be communicating with your primary cardiologist regarding your condition and treatment plan. You will then follow-up in the office with your primary cardiologist.

If you are having a Heart related problem, call your team assistant. The number is located in under the "Our Physians" link at the top of this screen with your cardiologist's information or you may call (734)712-8000 or (800)433-7822. The operator or assistant will ask for your name, phone number and other pertinent information. Your nurse will review your chart and return your call. If you feel your problem is urgent, please let the operator know and your nurse will call you back as soon as possible. If you have an emergency, please call 911. All other health concerns should be directed to your primary care physician.