About Us

Our Commitment to You

Gastroenterology Associates & the Abilene Endoscopy Center are Medicare approved facilities providing a full range of endoscopic and gastroenterologic ambulatory surgical procedures. Our physicians and staff at AEC and GI Associates are committed to providing quality health care in a patient-friendly environment, and at the lowest practical cost.

We have established certain quality standards based on issues that are important and, thanks to improved appointment scheduling, we've been able to reduce the waiting time between your call and our scheduled appointment. This has also allowed us to reduce the amount of time you spend in our waiting room and in the examination room waiting for the physician. We also know that it's important that you completely understand any instructions you are given as a result of your visit. For this reason, we take time with you during your visit to ensure that you completely understand what our physicians and/or staff are prescribing. We are committed to your total care and well-being.

QUICK LINKS

Appointments Calls to Physicians Prescriptions and Refills Release of Information Payment Policy Insurance Hospital Admission Ancillary Services Emergencies Comments

Appointments

The physicians' regular practice hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. All patients should arrive 30 minutes early to complete necessary forms. For your convenience, Gastroenterology Associates and Abilene Endoscopy Center are located in the same building.

All endoscopic procedures will be made through the physicians office. We schedule appointments with our physicians Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for Abilene Endoscopy Center. We ask that new patients arrive about 1 hour early to complete necessary paperwork and allow for preparation of the scheduled procedure.

Calls to Physicians

If you have a non-emergency question for one of our physicians, please call during regular office hours (weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) when the physician has access to your medical records.

Prescriptions and Refills

Prescriptions and refills of prescriptions are given during regular office hours. Please have your pharmacist call the office for your prescription refill.

Release of Information

We consider your medical records to be completely confidential. We will release information from these records only with your written permission, unless required by law.

If your family physician referred you to one of our physicians, we will send him a written report of our findings and recommendations.

Payment Policy

We request that you provide payment at the time our services are rendered for the portion of your care not covered by your insurance. Your physician or a medical group representative will be happy to answer any questions you have related to our fees.

Insurance

As a courtesy to our patients, our staff can complete and file necessary insurance forms for you. Your insurance policy describes the level of reimbursement for medical expenses. Please let us know how we can help you in receiving reimbursement from your insurance company.

The medical group participates in Medicare and is a preferred provider with certain local PPOs and HMOs. To determine if our physicians participate in your health plan, please check your plan's provider listing.

All other insurance plans are a contract between you, the patient, and your insurance company. If these other insurance companies do not pay the balance of your account in a timely manner, you will be responsible for the balance due.

We ask that you investigate late payments as soon as they appear to be late instead of waiting to see what the insurance company will pay. If there are problems related to prompt payment for your care, we will consider a mutually agreeable payment plan after you discuss the matter with us.

Hospital Admission

In the event that a patient requires hospitalization, the Abilene Endoscopy Center maintains transfer agreements and will admit patients to local area hospitals.

Ancillary Services

Most of the lab work and X-rays associated with procedures can be performed off-site at a local hospital or laboratory.

Emergencies

The medical group's telephones are answered 24 hours a day. If you call after regular office hours, a physician will be notified of your call and respond accordingly. Should the physician on call deem it necessary to see you at a time other than during regular office hours, he will contact you to make the arrangements. If you are taken to a hospital in an emergency, please request that our physicians be notified.

We Welcome Your Comments

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions, please let your physician or the medical group's office manager know. You can also submit comments or suggestions in writing by mail.

We welcome your opinions about the care and services our practice provides - your feedback insures that you receive the best care possible, now and in the future.