Plans we accept (in‑network): Aetna, Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), Cigna.
Not accepted: Medicare, Tricare, Medicaid.
Network participation can vary by sub‑plan; please verify benefits with your insurer.
Appointments & Scheduling
How do I schedule an appointment?
Please call us at 860-337-9378. Online booking is not available through the patient portal at this time.
Do you offer same‑day or urgent visits?
Yes—limited same‑day slots are available for urgent concerns (e.g., heavy bleeding, UTI symptoms). Call early for availability.
Do you offer telemedicine?
Yes, when appropriate (results review, medication follow‑ups, contraception counseling). Some visits require an in‑person exam or procedure.
What is your cancellation/no‑show policy?
Please cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance. The cancellation/no‑show fee is $50.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Photo ID, insurance card, payment method for copay, a list of medications/allergies, and any relevant records or imaging.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
HMO plans often require a PCP referral/authorization. PPO/EPO plans typically do not. If your plan requires a referral, please ensure it is in place prior to your visit.
Insurance, Billing & Payments
Which insurance plans do you accept?
In‑network with Aetna, Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS), and Cigna.
We do not accept Medicare, Tricare, or Medicaid.
Network participation can vary by sub‑plan—please verify benefits with your insurer.
What will I owe at the visit?
Your copay is due at check‑in. Deductibles and coinsurance may apply after your insurer processes the claim.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Major credit cards, debit cards, HSA/FSA, cash, and check.
Preventive vs problem‑focused—what’s the difference?
Preventive care (e.g., annual well‑woman exam, Pap/HPV when indicated) is billed differently from visits for specific concerns (e.g., pain, abnormal bleeding). If both occur at one visit, insurers may bill them separately, which can affect out‑of‑pocket costs.
Will labs, imaging, anesthesia, or pathology be billed separately?
Often yes. Outside facilities (lab, radiology, anesthesia, hospital/ASC, pathology) may send separate bills with their own coverage rules.
Do procedures or surgeries need prior authorization?
Some do. Our team works with your insurer to obtain necessary approvals.
My insurance changed—what should I do?
Update your information in the patient portal or call 860-337-9378 before your visit to avoid claim delays or denials.
Patient Portal
How do I access the portal?
Visit: https://29847.portal.athenahealth.com/. You’ll receive an email/text invite after scheduling to create your login.
What can I do in the portal?
Securely message our team, request refills, complete forms, view visit summaries, and see most lab/pathology results.
How quickly do you respond, and when do results post?
We typically respond within 1–2 business days. Most labs post automatically; pathology results usually take 7–10 days. For urgent issues, please call us; for emergencies, call 911.
In‑Office GYN Procedures
Which in‑office procedures do you perform?
- Pap and HPV testing
- Colposcopy
- Cervical, vaginal, and vulvar biopsies
- Endometrial biopsy
- IUD insertion and removal
- Nexplanon (etonogestrel implant) placement and removal
- Pessary fitting
Coming soon: Office hysteroscopy
Will it hurt and do I need anesthesia?
Most procedures are brief (10–30 minutes) and use local anesthesia. Expect pressure/cramping; OTC pain relievers usually help afterward.
How should I prepare, and what’s normal after?
We’ll provide written instructions. Common guidance: light meal; consider an OTC pain reliever beforehand if advised; avoid vaginal products/intercourse 24–48 hours before certain tests. Mild spotting/cramping is common afterward—call us for heavy bleeding (soaking a pad an hour), fever ≥101°F/38.3°C, foul discharge, severe pain, or fainting.
Hospital‑Based Procedures & Surgery
What surgeries do you offer and where are they performed?
Minimally invasive (laparoscopic/robotic) and open procedures, including
hysterectomy, myomectomy, endometriosis excision/ablation, ovarian cystectomy,
and hysteroscopic polypectomy/fibroid resection/D&C.
Surgeries are performed at Huntsville Hospital, Crestwood Medical Center, and Madison Surgery Center.
How is surgery scheduled and what is recovery like?
After your consult, we coordinate pre‑op testing and any authorizations, then offer dates (elective cases are typically 2–6 weeks out, depending on urgency and insurance). Many laparoscopic procedures allow light activity in a few days and return to work in 1–2 weeks; open surgeries may require 4–6+ weeks. We use an opioid‑sparing pain plan when possible. Pathology results are usually available in 7–10 days and will be reviewed and posted in your portal.
Prescriptions, Records & Policies
How do I request prescription refills?
Use the patient portal or ask your pharmacy to send an electronic request. Please allow 2 business days.
How do I request my medical records or forms (work notes/FMLA)?
Submit a request through the portal or provide a signed release. Processing typically takes 5–10 business days.
Is there a fee for forms requiring a doctor’s signature (including FMLA)?
Yes. Any form that requires a doctor’s signature—including FMLA—has a $25 documentation fee that is paid separately. Forms will not be completed until the fee is paid.
Chaperones, interpreters, accessibility
A trained chaperone is available for sensitive exams/procedures. Professional interpreters are available at no cost. Our office is wheelchair accessible—please tell us any accommodations you need.
Contact & Emergencies
Questions? Call 860-337-9378 or message us through the patient portal (responses within 1–2 business days). For emergencies (severe pain, heavy bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke symptoms), call 911.