Chest, Infectious Diseases and Critical Care Associates, PC.
1601 NW 114th Street, Suite 347
Des Moines, Iowa 50325-7046
(515) 224-1777
(515) 225-6750 FAX

Roger T. Liu, M.D.
Daniel H. Gervich, M.D.
Steven G. Berry, M.D.
Donald L. Burrows, M.D.
Michael C. Witte, D.O.
Daniel Schroeder, M.D.
Ravi K. Vemuri, M.D.
Neil R. Horning, M.D.
Wendy L. Fluegel, M.D.
Maxwell S. Cosmic, M.D.
Jason B Wittmer, M.D.
Daniel J. Barth, D.O.
Nargis Naheed, M.D.
Aneesa Afroze, M.D.
Brad Wilcox, D.O.
Ziad Ismael, M.D.
Angela D. Beckel, ARNP
Nguyen-Ly T. Vo, PA-C

SPECIALIZING IN:

Pulmonary Diseases
Infectious Diseases
Critical Care Medicine
Sleep Medicine
Travel Medicine
Hyperbaric Medicine

The following services are available: pulmonary function testing, industrial pulmonary spirometry testing, arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy, asthma clinic, travel medicine information and counseling.

INTRODUCTION

This web site is designed to put you at ease by telling you what to expect and by explaining our office routine to you.

MISSION STATEMENT

Chest, Infectious Diseases and Critical Care Associates, P.C. is an equal opportunity employer with a mission to provide healthcare within our specialties of pulmonary disease, infectious disease, internal medicine and critical care. The physicians and staff strive to provide quality, compassionate health services in a confidential and efficient manner. We have a commitment to provide excellence in healthcare services to improve the quality of life, while continuously encouraging development professionally and personally.

POINTS OF INFORMATION

Our office is handicap accessible. There is valet parking and wheelchair assistance at the front entrance to the building.
Patients are seen by appointment only. This gives the doctor an opportunity to allocate his or her time and proves to be more convenient to the patient. Unfortunately patients do not become ill on schedule, and emergencies do occur; hence, delays in schedules are inevitable. A sincere attempt is made to adhere to the schedule as much as possible.
Please call two to three weeks in advance of the date an appointment is needed. This will allow you and the office the time needed to find the most suitable appointment time.

THE EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT

You will be asked to provide a complete medical history and details about your present illness. Prior to your appointment, please outline your medical history to make sure nothing is forgotten at the time of the appointment. The doctor will then ask additional questions and examine you to determine the nature of your ailment. The initial examination will include a complete physical examination by the doctor. After your visit the receptionist will give you a future appointment.

TELEPHONE CALLS

For the doctor to leave a patient being examined to answer every phone call to the office would be unfair to the individual under treatment. The office staff has been trained to answer most questions. If they are unable to answer your questions, your medical record will be reviewed and the answer to your questions will be relayed to you from the doctor.

After your visit with the doctor, the doctor or his nurse will advise you when to call the office for results of your tests. Please call the office and leave a telephone number so the doctor or nurse may return your call.

Our office has a doctor on call at all times and can be reached by calling our regular office number, (515) 224-1777.

 

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X-RAYS AND LABORATORY WORK

Chest x-rays will be completed in our office, while other necessary x-rays will be completed elsewhere. Some of the laboratory tests will be performed in our office while others will be sent out to reference laboratories. Please feel free to ask questions regarding our tests.

PULMONARY FUNCTION LABORATORY

Breathing studies are also performed in our office. This is testing to evaluate the lungs for different diseases and the effects of therapy.

OUTPATIENT TREATMENT WITH INTRAVENOUS MEDICATIONS

Under certain circumstances, an infection or other disease processes can be treated with an intravenous medication without the patient remaining in the hospital. If your doctor feels that such an approach can be offered without compromising the outcome, he will discuss this treatment option with you. This service can be provided through this office or other home health care and durable medical equipment providers.

 

FEES

We ask that payment be made at the time services are rendered, providing no other arrangements have been made. All copayments must be paid at the time of your appointment. Our office is equipped with computerized billing. We require the necessary information to process health insurance claims and forward them to the proper claim office. Please feel free to call our office with any questions.

We expect you to be aware of your health insurance contracts so that we can assist you with all required guidelines where applicable:

MEDICARE

We accept assignment on medical services. Assignment means that we agree to write off any difference between our regular fee and the amount Medicare has approved. Medicare will pay 80% of the balance, You are responsible for the remaining 20%, plus any deductibles and/ or noncovered services. Claims for supplemental insurance benefits will be filed and the remaining balance after insurance has paid is the patient's responsibility.

WELLMARK BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF IOWA

We are participating physicians with all Wellmark Insurance Plans. We accept the usual, customary, and reasonable charge under your contract benefits. Any remaining co-insurance and/ or deductibles will be your responsibility.

PLAN APPROVAL

As consulting physicians,there are some contracts that require prior approval from your primary care physician. If prior approval is not obtained, charges will be your responsibility at the time of service. Copayments are due at the time of service.

MEDICAID AND MEDIPASS

We require an eligibility card to be shown to the receptionist at the time you check in. For all Medipass patients, we require that you obtain a referral from your primary physician.

It is your responsibilty to know the benifits and requirements for your policy and to obtain pre-authorization or referrals.

OTHER INSURANCE

All claims require a release of medical information. Our policy is that the Assignment of Benefits be made to the doctor, unless services are paid in full. Any fees unpaid by the insurance company are the obligation of the patient. We will not become involved in disputes between you and your insurance company other than to supply factual information. Ultimately, the patient is responsible for the balance on the account.

Your charges will depend upon the number and kind of services provided. Laboratory and x-rays require additional charges depending upon their cost, the time and skill required. We would appreciate it if you would be prepared to take care of your account at the time of your office visit.

 

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