-When you arrive at the office, there is a doorbell at the front desk which will alert me to your presence. If you are new, please take a clipboard and begin completing the paperwork if you have not already done so. I will need to make copies of your insurance card and photo ID such as a drivers license (A new law called the "Red Flag Rules" requires health care providers to verify identity). Please be seated in the waiting area until I come out to welcome you.
-If you are required to have a designated primary care physician for your insurance company, be sure you call the number on the back of your card and change to Dr. Ketzak BEFORE your appointment. Failure to do so may result in your not having any coverage for the visit.
-You can expect to be seen on time, or close to it. If you have the first appointment of the day, do not arrive early as the office opens when I arrive (this is sometimes just before your appointment time). You will not be penalized for being a few minutes late. However, I do strive to stay on schedule so the later you are, the less time we will have. Appointment slots are 30 minutes or 60 minutes. I feel the time allotment is generous, but still limited. If your issues do not fit into your scheduled time slot, we will need to make additional appointment(s) for you. Realize that covering too many issues at once often does not yield the best results.
-If you are new and scheduling your appointment online, give yourself TWO 30 minute slots (even if the problem is minor). If you are established and you have a minor problem, a single 30 minute slot is sufficient. If you have several concerns, are coming for a physical, or this is a check up for a chronic illness, you should probably schedule 2 slots (one hour).
-I currently do not accept credit cards. Please bring cash or a check for any required co-payments.
-Please understand that due to the nature of this practice, I cannot always accommodate "walk-ins." Also, due to occasional closings, I recommend calling before traveling to the office (if you don't have a scheduled appointment).
-I do not prescribe narcotic pain medications or other controlled substances on a LONG TERM basis except in specific limited circumstances (ie. cancer pain, ADHD medicines, care of hospice patients, documented advanced degenerative diseases). I do not keep narcotic medicines in the office. I will try to contact regular patients if I will be on vacation to assure an adequate supply of their controlled medicines; physicians covering me on call will have access to your record and will NOT fill narcotic prescriptions over the telephone unless there is an existing prescription that is due to be filled.
-Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to serving your needs !
