1. Do I need to fast before my new patient appointment?

No.

2. Do I need to bring a list of my medications or supplements to my visit?

Yes.

3. Do I need to bring my blood pressure log/ blood sugar log to my visit?

Yes, if you are seeing our Internal Medicine physician.

4. Can I combine my annual exam and a hormone visit on my first appointment?

No. Your first visit requires a greater length of time to establish your care.

5. Do you do the saliva testing?

We primarily use blood tests to ensure the most accurate assessment. In some instances, a saliva test may be ordered, but that is not usual.

6. Do you do mammograms at FEM Centre?

No, but we can give you a facility list and an order for your mammogram.

7. Will I be able to have all my prescriptions refilled by my FEM Centre provider?

It varies, depending on what you are being treated for. Your FEM Centre provider will be able to prescribe refills only to those medications that are clinically indicated by your diagnosis with that provider.

8. Can I get my labs drawn before my appointment?

No, your provider will not know what labs to order until you have been evaluated.

9. Where do I go to fill out my new patient paperwork?

Go to our website at www.femcentre.com and click on the "My Patient Page" to create your account.

10. How soon do I need to fill out my new patient paperwork?

Please fill out your paperwork as soon as you schedule your appointment.If you are being put on a wait list, we need to have your paperwork completed before you are put on the list.

1. Do you take my insurance?

A list of the insurance plans we accept may be found at www.femcentre.com. Go to the tab "Insurance Plans Accepted" on the home page to find the list.

2. What is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner?

A Women's Healthcare Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) is a registered nurse with advanced academic and clinical experience in Women's Health. Their education and experience qualify WHNPs to diagnose, manage, and treat most common - and many chronic - illnesses, either independently or as part of a health care team.

3. What is a Physician's Assistant?

A Physician Assistant (PA) is a healthcare professional licensed to practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician. A Physician Assistant is concerned with preventing, maintaining, and treating illness and injury by providing a broad range of health care services traditionally performed by a physician. Physician assistants conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care, and write prescriptions.

4. Do I need to see one of the physicians if I see the Nurse Practitioner or a Physician's Assistant?

Seeing one of the physicians is always an option for you; however, it is not always necessary. Our Nurse Practitioners are very confident and competent in their area of expertise. Nurse Practitioners may write prescriptions and order lab work. Insurance companies recognize Nurse Practitioners as qualified healthcare providers who can deliver a wide range of primary care services and treatments, and therefore may include them in their networks of covered healthcare providers.

5. Can I combine my Well Woman Exam with a visit to discuss my hormones?

Yes, but you will have 2 co-pays and you may be responsible for charges not covered by your insurance.

6. Why are sonograms offered with a Well Woman Exam?

A sonogram gives the provider an extra opportunity to check the health of ovaries and the uterine lining. Ovarian cancer has no outward symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. A sonogram is an extra diagnostic tool for overall health.

7. Can my Internal Medicine Doctor at the FEM Centre treat my hormone issues?

No.

8. If I am on my menstrual cycle, can I still get my pap smear done?

If you are having a regular to heavy flow, no, because it interferes with the collection of cells. If you are spotting or having a light cycle we can do your pap.

9. Do you have a list of the supplements you sell and a description of what they are for?

Most supplements are listed on our website at www.femcentre.com. There is a book containing information on our supplements in the waiting area.

10. Can I get a price list on your supplements?

Price information is available (go to Supplements Tab click link).

11. Do you charge to fill out FMLA forms, disability forms or for letters of medical necessity for supplements or prescriptions?

Yes, we do have a minimal fee of $25.00 for these forms.

12. I live out of town. May I do a phone consultation instead of coming back to the office?

Yes, you may. However, most insurance companies do not reimburse for phone consults. Phone consultations may range from $75.00 - $125.00.

13. Why were rebilling fees added to my account?

We add rebilling fees (late fees) to accounts after we send a second bill and receive no response from the patient. Rebilling fees are automatically added to 3rd bill and subsequent bills.

14. May I set up a payment plan?

Payment agreements must be agreed to in writing and signed before your appointment. Payment agreements are for four installments. The first payment of 25% of the balance is due at time of signing the agreement, and three equal payments are due within 90 days.

15. What do I need to do to get my medical records sent to another physician?

You will need to sign a medical release form either here in our office or you can fill one out at another physician's office and have it faxed to us. If you cannot come in and sign the release we can mail one to you.

1. What are the FEM Centre lab hours?

M - F 8:00 - 3:00 (Ft. Worth) 8:00 -4:00 (Colleyville)

2. Do I need an appointment to have my labs drawn?

No. You can have labs drawn any time during office hours, unless given other instructions from your provider.

3. Do I need to fast for my lab work?

It depends on what labs are ordered. For example, a lipid panel, glucose, and CMP are all fasting labs. Please refer to the information on the upper right portion of your lab request.

4. If I am fasting, may I drink water?

You may drink water and black coffee (do not add anything to your coffee).

5. Should I take my medications or supplements prior to having my blood work drawn?

It depends on what your provider has ordered. The LVN/MA will give you specific instructions.

6. I didn't follow the instructions. May I still have my labs drawn?

No. In that case you will have to wait until the next day to have your labs drawn.

7. If my labs are drawn at your office will they be covered under my insurance?

Generally, yes, but it is important for you to verify with your insurance company in advance. Some insurance plans apply only certain lab charges to your deductible.

8. How long does it take to receive my lab results?

It varies, depending upon the test ordered. Usually it takes 1 to 2 weeks for results to be received and evaluated by the provider and passed on to the patient.

9. Will someone call me regarding my results?

The fastest way to obtain lab results is through your patient portal. To create a patient portal you can go to our website www.femcentre.com and click on "My Patient Page" to create your account. Some labs results are reviewed at upcoming appointments. Therefore it is always important to keep any scheduled appointments.

10. Why are hormone labs drawn at a specific time of day?

They are taken at specific times to measure absorption in the bloodstream after application. This takes approximately 5-6 hours.

11. Why are initial hormone labs drawn on specific days of my menstrual cycle?

Hormones are measured on Day 3 of your menstrual cycle. That schedule allows us to predict the age of the ovaries when the hormones are at the lowest. We also measure sex hormones after ovulation; approximately one week prior to the cycle begins (Day 21). This is when your hormones are at the highest level and will give us an estrogen and progesterone ratio.

12. Where are labs drawn if not in your lab? Can I add additional labs to my current lab requisition?

Labs orders not drawn in our lab are usually drawn at Lab Corp or Quest Diagnostics. We cannot add labs to your order without authorization from your medical provider. At your appointment, ask your medical provider about adding additional labs.

13. Will someone mail me a copy of my lab results?

You can request a copy at your follow up appointment.

14. If I have orders from another physician, can I have labs drawn and sent to my other doctor?

You cannot have labs drawn for another physician at the time you have labs drawn for your appointment with our providers.

15. Can my labs be sent to my PCP or a different doctor?

Yes, if you or the doctor make the request and provide an address or fax number.

1. What is a compounded prescription and where do I go to get it filled?

A compounded prescription is prepared by a pharmacist to meet your specific needs. We have a list of compounding pharmacies where you may go to get your prescriptions filled.

2. How do I get my prescription refilled?

Drop off your current prescription at a pharmacy or have your pharmacy contact us for refills.

3. If I have no refills left or my prescription is beyond the "refills available to" date, do I contact the FEM Centre?

No, contact your pharmacy and they will fax your request to us.

4. Are bio-identical prescriptions covered by my insurance?

It depends on your insurance company, but if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a flexible spending account you may be able to use those accounts. Check with your insurance company.

5. How long will it take to have my medication refill to be approved?

Allow 3 business days.

6. What if I have not seen a provider in over a year - may I still get my prescriptions?

Not usually. You need to be seen annually to evaluate your prescriptions and labs.

7. What if my prescription requires a prior authorization?

Your pharmacy will contact us and let us know. Please allow additional time since this is a provision of your insurance company, not of FEM Centre.

8. What if I need a three month prescription refill?

Tell the Medical Assistant or Nurse while you are at your appointment. Rewriting a prescription for your insurance is subject to a fee.

9. What if I feel my hormone prescriptions are not working?

Call the office and press option 8.

1. What is a thermogram?

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) is a noncontact, non-invasive procedure for visualizing the body's physiologic response ? and there are no risks or side effects. Thermal patterns are displayed on the skin and then detected by the infrared sensor on the camera. It is interpreted as temperature data and then transmitted to the computer, where all images are stored as pictures. All information is correlated to the client's main area of complaint or symptoms. By detecting thermal asymmetry, thermal imaging offers the physician an added dimension to the diagnostic picture, detecting neurological and vascular information not available on x-ray.

2. Are thermograms covered by my insurance?

No, but if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a flexible spending account you may be able to use those accounts. Check with your insurance company.

3. Are there special instructions for a thermogram?

Yes, please go to our website at www.energyhealth.com and click on "Patient Forms" on the home page, then click on the "Thermal Imaging Forms" box.

4. How long does a thermogram appointment take?

30 minutes.

5. How do I get my thermogram results?

You will need to schedule a follow up appointment for 2 - 3 weeks after your thermogram.

6. Does a thermogram take the place of a mammogram?

No. Thermal imaging is not designed to replace the mammogram, but, when used in conjunction with a mammogram, is a powerful screening tool to help identify physiologic changes in the breast allowing for early intervention.

7. What is a Breast HALO test?

FEM Centre is the first clinic in the North Texas area to offer breast health and risk assessment at a cellular level with the HALO Breast Pap Test - an FDA approved, quick, safe, noninvasive method for obtaining breast fluid for laboratory examination. HALO combines warmth, massage,and suction to bring nipple aspirate fluid (NAF, found in the milk ducts where 95% of all breast cancers originate) to the surface of the nipple. The collected fluid is then sent to the laboratory for examination to determine and/or differentiate normal versus premalignant versus malignant cells.

8. Is it the HALO exam covered by my insurance?

No, but if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a flexible spending account you may be able to use those accounts. Check with your insurance company.

9. Are there special preparations for the Halo?

No.

10. How long does a Breast HALO appointment take?

Usually no more than 10 minutes.

11. How do I receive the results of my Breast HALO test?

If a specimen is obtained, your results will be communicated through your patient portal on www.femcentre.com. If no specimen is obtained, you are given your results at the time of your appointment.

1. Are appointments with the nutritionists covered by my insurance?

We do not file nutrition visits on your insurance, but if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a flexible spending account you may be able to use those accounts.

2. Do I need to make an appointment to see the Nutritionist?

Yes, but appointments are usually available the same day.

3. What is the cost of the first appointment and of follow-up appointments?

New patients appointments are $70.00 and basic 30min follow up appointments are $40.00, advanced 45min follow up appointments are 50.00. After your first visit your Nutritionist will determine which follow up you need.

4. What should I bring to my nutritionist visit?

Please bring any medications (over-the-counter and prescription), vitamins, and supplements you are currently taking. Also, please download, print, and fill out the five pages of your Energy Health Centre new patient paperwork ahead of time. This will you save time during your visit. Energy Health paperwork may be found at energy health under "Patient Forms".