Patient Information
Prescription Refills
Routine prescription refill requests can only be handled during regular office hours, not after hours or on weekends. For questions regarding medications prescribed for you by Dr. Carter, please call the office during regular business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Thursday; and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Friday). Please allow 48 hours for refill requests.
Office Visits and Patient Privacy
For your first visit to our office, please arrive a few minutes early so that we may obtain information essential to you care. If your appointment was made in advance we may have mailed you a new patient packet. This packet is also available by clicking the links below. You can fill the forms out right on your computer and print them. Please bring your completed forms to your appointment. Otherwise, you will need to complete them upon arrival. In order to provide excellent, up-to-date care, Dr. Carter requires that this essential information be updated on an annual basis for returning patients. Please be assured your personal information is kept completely confidential. We adhere to all HIPAA guidelines to protect your health information. A framed copy of our privacy policy is located in the lobby of each office location, printed copies are available upon request, and you can see our privacy policy on our "Privacy Policy" page.
Appointments
Patients are seen by appointment only. However, if you have an acute problem that needs immediate care, contact the office and we will make every effort to see you between scheduled appointments or advise you on seeking emergency treatment at a local hospital. Patients arriving late for their appointment will be worked into the schedule if possible or may be asked to reschedule.
Dr. Carter and the staff value your time and make every effort to adhere to the schedule as closely as possible, but emergencies and delays sometimes occur. During these times, we ask your patience and we will be happy to reschedule your appointment if you are unable to wait.
If you cannot keep an appointment, please call our office as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule and avoid a $25.00 no show charge.
Fees and Insurance
Office visits and surgical procedures are payable at the time of service. We will be glad to discuss fees with you or to estimate fees for a planned procedure. We accept payments in cash, check, credit and debit cards. As a service to you, we will file your insurance claims for you. It is important to note that insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, usually do not pay 100% of your bill. You, the patient, are responsible for payment of all deductibles and co-payments. All co-payments are due at the time of service. You may be charged an $8.00 statement fee if you are billed for co-payments.
Responsibility for the payment of bills remains with you, the patient. Should financial problems result in delayed payments of your bill, please contact us so we can work out an acceptable payment plan to meet your obligation. All accounts which remain outstanding without explanation will be turned over to a collection agency.
Dr. Carter currently participates in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama Preferred Care Program, Medicare, Alabama Medicaid, and other PPO plans. Please check with your insurance company to make sure that Dr. Carter is listed as a participating physician.
Emergencies
For true urologic emergencies after office hours, we recommend you go to the hospital emergency room of your choice. If Dr. Carter's assistance is needed, the emergency room physician will contact him. "After-hours" calls are answered by a professional answering service who will contact Dr. Carter for you. He will return emergency calls as soon as possible.