Practice Policy:

Staten Island Pulmonary Associates Practice Procedures

1. Appointments Policy:
Appointments are necessary for all visits. Referrals if necessary must be on file prior to an evaluation. Patients will not be seen without a valid referral unless by healthcare plan regulations and patient’s agreement, the patient signs a waiver of insurance obligations indicating that the patient is responsible for payment for the visit.

2. Telephone Calls To Our Office:
All calls to our practice are answered 24 hours a day. If you request to speak to a physician, the call will be returned by your physician or another member of the practice. Calls that should be answered in less than 30 minutes should require a call to 911 and transfer to a hospital emergency department preferably Staten Island University Hospital, North or South. Doctors will return routine calls the same day in almost all cases. Blocked phones will result in significant delays.

3. Prescriptions:
Prescriptions will be renewed at the time of office visits. If prescriptions need to be renewed at the other times, they will be written (not called into the pharmacy) and will need to be picked up at the front desk within 48 hours. All prescriptions will be dated and filled out completely. Prescriptions written by another physician (other than Staten Island Pulmonary Associates) will not be renewed.

4. Notes For Time Lost From Work or School:
Notes will be issued only if the patient has been seen at Staten Island Pulmonary Associates or taken care of by phone.

5. Notes For Jury Duty:
Jury duty exemptions will be issued only in cases of severe disability.

6. Handicapped Parking Permits Forms:
Forms will be completed according to guidelines mandated by the state motor vehicle authority.

The physicians at Staten Island Pulmonary Associates take an active role in creating practice protocols and office procedures. If you have a complaint, please bring it to the attention of our Officer Manager, Rose Madrazo or one of our Assistant Managers, Elizabeth Scarcella or Maria Marciante. Please be advised that abusive language or behavior will never be tolerated.