Policies
It is our goal to provide you with excellent service. We have written these policies with this in mind. Please let us know if there are additional ways we can meet your needs.
We value the time you take out of your day to visit our office. We do not overbook appointments, and we strive to maintain an on-time schedule. Our standard new patient appointment is 40 minutes, and our standard follow-up visit is 20 minutes. However, if you feel additional time is needed, please notify our staff when you make your appointment.
In order to provide our patients service in a respectful manner, we do not overbook appointments. We strive to see all patients on time. Please give us at least 24 hours notice if you are unable to keep your appointment. That time will remain closed to all other patients until we receive notice of your cancellation. In order to protect our availability to our clients, we do charge a $20 fee for failure to cancel an appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
To help us maintain a peaceful environment, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone while in our office. Please silence your phone in our waiting room. We ask our employees to do the same.
In an emergency, go directly to your nearest emergency room. We provide care at Scott & White Hospital – Brenham, located at 700 Medical Parkway, Brenham, Texas, 77833, (979) 836-6173.
We accept most insurance plans, except HMOs. Please check with your insurance company by calling the customer service number on your card to verify we are in-network doctors. Your copay, coinsurance amounts, and deductible are expected at the time of your visit.
Our staff is not bilingual. Dr. Carmack can speak and understand very basic medical Spanish, but an intrepreter is necessary for good communication. If you do not speak English, you may bring a friend or family member with you who can speak English and your language. If you are unable or do not wish to do so, an interpreter will be provided at your request.
We notify all of our patients of their lab results via phone or mail. Please let us know if you do not want us to leave a message on your phone or send results to your house. If you do not receive lab results within a reasonable period of time, please call us. Please don’t assume your results are normal until you have heard from us.
If you are late for your appointment, we may need to reschedule in order to see our other patients on time. If this is necessary, we will strive to reschedule you as soon as possible.
Office hours are generally 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. Hours may vary, so please call before coming in if you do not have an appointment.
All copayment amounts, coinsurance amounts, deductibles, and past due payments are expected at the time service is provided. There is a $25 returned check fee.
We are happy to see patients without insurance coverage. Payment is expected at the time of your visit. Please call our office and speak with our billing personnel prior to your first visit if you have special circumstances requiring other arrangements.
Please call the office during business hours with any questions related to your care. We will return your call by the following business day. After hours, you may call our answering service at (979) 830-1540, and they will direct you to a doctor on call or take your message. Your message will be handled on the next business day.
If you feel your problem is an emergency, you should go to the nearest emergency room. We routinely instruct patients who call the answering service with potential emergencies to go to the nearest emergency room.