Patient Registration Form
	Patient Health Summary
	Medical Record Release
	HIPAA Acknowledgement Form
	Notice of Privacy Practices
	Financial Policies

OFFICE HOURS
We are open Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Appointments should be made by calling 803-749-1111 (press 2 for appointments).

WALK-IN SERVICE
It is our goal to be available when you need us. We have time allotted every day to work in patients who are sick and need to be seen quickly. If you do not have an appointment but would like to be seen quickly, we encourage you to use our walk-in service. Appointments are not taken for the walk-in service, and you will be seen by the first available provider. If he/she is not your regular provider, please be assured he/she will have all the necessary information to make excellent decisions regarding your care. If you are seen by a Nurse Practitioner, our physicians are always available to consult with them in any way if needed. We accept walk-ins Monday - Friday, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

PRESCRIPTION REFILL POLICY
All prescription refill requests require a visit with a healthcare provider*. In the event you need a refill before your next scheduled appointment, please make an appointment with your provider or take advantage of our walk-in service (you will be charged for an office visit). In order to address your refill needs during your regularly scheduled appointments, please be sure to bring all your prescription medication bottles with attached pharmacy labels to every appointment.
*Exceptions are granted for Hospice and Nursing Home patients. Please see your healthcare provider for more information.

PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS FOR PRESCRIPTIONS
Please bring a formulary list of prescriptions that are covered by your insurance plan to every office visit. This will help your physician or nurse practitioner determine what medication to prescribe that is covered under your plan. In the event your prescription requires a prior authorization, you will be responsible for getting the appropriate prior authorization forms to us. These requests are not done over the telephone by our physicians.

Steps for getting a Prior Authorization:
1. Your pharmacy can provide an 800 telephone number to your insurance company's Prior Authorization Department.
2. Call the Prior Authorization Department and request that they fax a prior authorization form to us (SCIM). Our secure fax number is 803-749-0050.
3. When we receive the form, we will complete it and fax it back to your insurance company for authorization.

TEST RESULTS
You will be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss your lab and other test results. This is to ensure the confidentiality of your protected health information and to give you the time and attention you need from your healthcare provider. In the event your test results need to be discussed before your scheduled appointment, you will be contacted by our office.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REFERRALS AND AUTHORIZATIONS
When you visit SC Internal Medicine for your healthcare needs, your physician or nurse practitioner may want you to complete additional testing from other healthcare providers (such as specialists and ancillaries) to assist in making accurate diagnoses.

Insurance companies will sometimes not pay for healthcare services you receive from specialists and ancillaries without first approving your physician's referral. This insurance company written approval is commonly called an "authorization."

As a service to you, we will happily assist in obtaining the authorizations you need from your insurance company to receive recommended testing, as we want to ensure you get the very best care possible. Please be aware there are times when your insurance company will not authorize a test or procedure, and you will need to decide to either receive the test/procedure and pay out of pocket or refuse the recommended testing.

PAYMENTS and INSURANCE
Payment is due at the time services are rendered. Your payment may be an insurance deductible, a co-payment or full payment for uninsured patients or those services not covered by an insurance plan.

We accept Medicare and most private insurances. Please be prepared to show your insurance card at every visit. Keeping your records up to date helps us expedite referrals and authorizations necessary for your care and ensures we have the information needed to bill your insurance company accurately and timely.

As a courtesy, we will bill your insurance company for you. If there is a difference between what they pay and the actual bill, you will be expected to pay the balance to SC Internal Medicine.

If we are not your primary care physician and you are participating in an HMO, be sure to bring your primary doctor's referral to your appointment.
Click here for a Glossary of Terms for Billing

FRAGRANCES, CELL PHONES AND SUCH…..
In consideration of all patients with various allergies and illnesses, please refrain from wearing fragrances such as perfume, cologne and lotions when visiting SC Internal Medicine.

All cell phones should be turned off. Cell phone discussions disturb other patients and can interfere with timely and effective patient-provider communication.

We want to make all patients as comfortable as possible and appreciate your understanding these policies.

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS
Lexington Medical Center
Palmetto Health Alliance

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Drs. Levinson, Guram and Gabriel are members of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Dr. Honig is a member of the Advisory Advisory Committee of State Board of Medical Examiners and is Vice Chairman of the PA Committee.