Central Orthopedics P.A. Winter Haven, Florida

Important New Office Location & Street Address

Central Orthopedics — Sat, 23 May 2009 19:57:54 +0000

IMPORTANT: Note we have moved our offices to 400 Ave. K SE, Suite 4 Winter Haven Florida.

Serving Polk County, Florida since 1989, Central Orthopedics, P.A. and Dr. Maury Fisher, provide general orthopedic surgery services, fracture care, and joint injections. Surgical procedures done by Dr. Fisher include joint replacement of the hip, knee, and shoulder, as well as, arthroscopic procedures of the knee-ACL reconstruction and meniscus surgery (torn cartilage), shoulder-bursitis, rotator cuff tear, instability and tendonitis, and ankle. He also performs carpal tunnel and trigger finger surgery as well as many other orthopedic surgical procedures.

Central Orthopedics, P.A. is located just minutes from Winter Haven Hospital. Dr. Fisher has served as Winter Haven Hospital, Chief of Surgery from 2006 to 2008. Winter Haven Hospital has earned designation as a Magnet hospital, recognizing quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in nursing practice. Dr. Fisher also serves on the Board of Directors for Winter Haven Ambulatory Surgical Center.

Dr. Fisher is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS), Florida Medical Association (FMA). Florida Orthopaedic Society, the Medical Economic Committee Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee, serving as the Orthopedic Representative for the State of Florida Polk County Medical Association (PCMA) Advisory Committee for Polk Healthcare (a charity medical system).

Dr. Maury Fisher was Board Certified from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in 1991 and is licensed through the State of Florida. He has earned Board Recertification, which is required every 10 years.

Fracture Care

Central Orthopedics — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:11:25 +0000

Fracture Care

Whether partial or complete, a fracture is a broken bone. Fractures can be quite painful and debilitating, but with the proper treatment, you can fully regain your normal function and get back to your life.

Fractures can happen for a number of reasons. The most common cause of fractures is trauma, such as a fall, athletic blow or vehicular accident. You may know right away if you’ve broken a bone due to trauma. Other typical causes include osteoporosis, which causes bones to become brittle and break easily, and overuse, which results in stress fractures and is common among athletes.

Fractures can be simple or compound, and can occur in a number of ways. A closed, or simple, fracture is a bone that is broken but the skin remains intact and is not lacerated. An open, or compound, fracture occurs when the skin has been broken along with the bone, or pierced by the broken bone, which may be visible in the wound.

The formation of the fracture can produce one of the following types:

• Transverse Fracture: A fracture that cuts horizontally across the length of the bone.
• Buckle Fracture: A fracture seen in children caused by compression. A small bulge is seen on the x-ray.
• Greenstick Fracture: A fracture on one side of the bone, causing a bend on the other side of the bone.
• Comminuted Fracture: A fracture that results in three or more bone fragments.
• Spiral Fracture: A fracture that spirals along the shaft of the bone.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A physical exam is the first step in the diagnosis of a fracture. Indications of a fracture may include a swollen and painful area, a deformed limb, or a bone that has pierced through the skin. An x-ray will verify the presence of a fracture, its type, and whether it is partial or complete.

All broken bones should be in normal alignment for the best healing. Sometimes this requires actually putting the bone back into place. Once in good alignment, the bone should be protected and kept in place, often with a cast. Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture and the specific bone involved. To treat a simple fracture on your forearm, for example, you may have a splint or cast to hold the bone in place. Different types of casts are available, such as waterproof casts in some cases to allow you to continue participating in a certain sport or activity.

For more severe cases such as comminuted fractures, external or internal fixation devices may be required. With external fixation, pins or screws are placed into the bone surrounding the fracture and are connected to a metal bar frame outside the skin, which stabilizes the fracture. Internal fixation is a surgical procedure in which the fragments are first repositioned, and then affixed with special screws or metal plates on the outer surface of the bone. They may also be held together with rods inserted through center of the bone.

Exercise is important during the later stages of the healing, as healthy muscles will help to keep pressure off of the injured bone, and will help to maintain normal muscle strength and flexibility during your recovery. Your orthopaedist will discuss safe exercise with you during your visit.

Terms & Conditions

Central Orthopedics — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:58:34 +0000

Terms and Conditions

As a patient of Central Orthopedics, P.A. you are required to sign a financial responsibility and authorization of treatment form.

Co-Payments

Your insurance company requires that we collect your co-payment at the time of service. Patients who are unable to make their co-payments will not be seen and will need to reschedule their appointment.

Deductibles

Patients with deductibles will be required to pay them at the time of service.

Collections

If a patient is sent to collections, a 30% collection fee will be added to the patients account total. The patient will be responsible to pay their bill to the collection agency, not Central Orthopedics.

Child Custody Cases and Second Party Insurance

Central Orthopedics will bill the insurance carrier for the parent who signs the consent. Also, the parent signing the consent for services will be responsible for all outstanding balances unless you have a court order stating otherwise.

Referrals

If your insurance plan requires a referral from your primary care physician it is your responsibility to obtain it prior to your appointment and to have it with you at the time of service. If you do not have your referral, you will be required to reschedule your appointment.

Form Completion

Forms are completed within 5-7 days of receiving them. The form completion fee is $15.00 per form and is to be paid at the time you drop the form off.

FMLA Forms

FMLA forms are the only forms that do not require payment.

Medical Records

Patients requesting copies of their medical records must first sign a release form. The charge for medical records is $1.00 per page and must be requested 5 days in advance.

Refunds

Patients will be refunded any overpayment once all claims on the account have been processed and the patient has been released from care.

Non-Participating Insurance Plans

As a service to our patients, we will file your claim with your insurance company. I understand that if I elect to be treated by any physician or provider at Central Orthopedics who does not participate in my insurance plan I am directly responsible for the balance on my account and may not be reimbursed by my insurance company.

Medicare Supplement Insurance

We are a participating provider with the Medicare Part B program; and as such we are obligated to write off the difference between what Medicare pays us for the services rendered to you (the allowed amount) and our usual and customary charge. Medicare pays 80% of the “allowed amount” to us directly. The remaining 20% co-pay and your annual deductible of $135.00 are the patient’s responsibility by federal law. Although we do file secondary insurance as a courtesy to our patients, any balance after Medicare pays will become patient responsibility and due within 30 days. After 30 days, collection from your supplemental insurer will be your responsibility.

No Show Policy

There will be a $30.00 No Show fee charged to your account if you do not cancel your appointment 24 hours ahead of time. We will not re-schedule an appointment until this fee is paid.

Surgery Pre-Payment

Patients are required to pay their portion of the surgical fee two (2) days prior to surgery. Patients unable to pay will have their surgery rescheduled. If the patient does not notify the office more than 48 hours in advance, regarding their payment, the $200.00 cancellation fee will apply and must be paid before the surgery will be rescheduled.

Surgery Cancellation Fee

If you are having surgery and do not cancel the surgery 48 hours ahead of time. There will be a charge of $200.00 placed on your account. This amount needs to be paid in full before we reschedule your surgery.

Self Pay

All patients without proof of insurance will be required to pay a deposit at check in, $500.00 for fracture care/$300.00 for non-fracture care, in cash, money order, or credit card. These patients will also sign a Payment Plan Agreement at the time of the first office visit.

Payment Plans

Payment Plan Agreements will be set up by the billing department and signed by patients with a high balance on their account. This will be done at the first office visit. Patients will be required to pay on the 1^st or 15^th of each month.

Worker’s Compensation

If a patient is injured on the job, it must be reported to the employer. The initial appointment is to be handled through the worker’s compensation adjustor. If a patient needs to cancel or reschedule their appointment, the adjustor must do it for them. Our office will not reschedule or cancel appointments without a call from the adjustor.

Your signature acknowledges that you have read and understand the Terms and Conditions set by Central Orthopedics.

I ___________________________________________ agree to the Terms and

(PRINT)

Conditions set by Central Orthopedics, P.A.

__________________________________ _______________

Signature Date

Patient Bill of Rights

Central Orthopedics — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:49:50 +0000

PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS
All healthcare providers who treat a patient in an office or any healthcare facility that admits and/or treats a patient shall adopt and make public, in writing, a statement of the rights and responsibilities of patients. A summary of these Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities is listed below:

Summary of the Florida Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities:

Florida law requires that your healthcare provider or healthcare facility recognize your rights while you are receiving medical care, and that you respect the health care provider’s or healthcare facility’s right to expect certain behavior on the part of patients. You may request a copy of the full text of this law from your healthcare provider or healthcare facility. A summary of your rights and responsibilities follows:

A patient has the right to be treated with courtesy and respect, with appreciation of his/her individual dignity, and with protection of his/her need for privacy.

A patient has the right to a prompt and reasonable response to questions and requests.

A patient has the right to know who is providing medical services and who is responsible for his/her care.

A patient has the right to know what patient services are available, including whether an interpreter is available if he/she does not speak English.

A patient has the right to know what rules and regulations apply to his/her conduct.

A patient has the right to be given, by his/her healthcare provider, information concerning diagnosis, planned course of treatment, alternatives, risks and prognosis.

A patient has the right to refuse any treatment, except as otherwise provided by law.

A patient has the right to be given, upon request, full information and necessary counseling on the availability of known financial resources for his/her care.

A patient who is eligible for Medicare has the right to know, upon request and in advance of treatment, whether the healthcare provider or health care facility accepts the Medicare assignment rate.

A patient has the right to receive, upon request, prior to treatment, a reasonable estimate of charges for medical care.

A patient has the right to receive a copy of a reasonably clear and understandable itemized bill and, upon request, to have the charges explained.

A patient has the right to impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, physical handicap or source of payment.

A patient has the right to treatment for any emergency medical condition that will deteriorate from failure to provide treatment.

A patient has the right to know if medical treatment is for the purposes of experimental research and to give his/her consent or refusal to participate in such experimental research.

A patient has the right to express grievances regarding any violation of his/her rights, as stated in Florida law, through the grievance procedure of the healthcare provider or healthcare facility which served him/her and to the appropriate state licensing agency.

A patient is responsible for providing to his/her healthcare provider, to the best of his/her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications and other matters relating to his/her health.

A patient is responsible for reporting unexpected changes in his/her condition to his/her healthcare provider.

A patient is responsible for reporting to his/her health care provider whether he/she comprehends a contemplated course of action and what is expected of him/her.

A patient is responsible for following the treatment plan recommended by his/her healthcare provider.

A patient is responsible for keeping appointments and, when he/she is unable to do so for any reason, for notifying the healthcare provider or healthcare facility.

A patient is responsible for his/her actions if he/she refuses treatment or does not follow the healthcare provider’s instructions.

A patient is responsible for assuring that the financial obligations of his/her healthcare are fulfilled as promptly as possible.

A patient is responsible for following healthcare facility rules and regulations affecting patient care and conduct.

A patient has the right to request a refund for any overpayment made on account. *All refund requests are subject to an audit review prior to releasing funds.

This facility is regulated pursuant to the rules of the Board of Medicine as set forth in Rule Chapter 6488, FAC.

Medical Mission Trips

Central Orthopedics — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:43:56 +0000

In addition to his medical practice in Winter Haven, Florida, Dr. Fisher has volunteered his surgery skills on medical mission trips abroad since 1996.

In 1996, Dr. Fisher volunteered for his first medical mission trip performing hip replacement surgeries in Kiev, Ukraine with the Operation Blessing International team and local surgeons. Operation Blessing’s Flying Hospital has surgical suites and recovery facilities on board an L-1011 airplane. On the Kiev mission trip, the surgery suites on the plane were used for eye and dental surgery, so Dr. Fisher operated at the city’s orthopedic hospital. The Flying Hospital is a non-denominational organization dedicated to provide humanitarian relief. For more information about Operation Blessing International see http://community.ob.org.

In August, 1998, Dr. Fisher and his family participated in a medical mission trip to Quito, Ecuador with the Lakeview Temple of Indianapolis, Indiana, on the invitation of the Reverend Tom Rakoczy. Reverend Rakoczy was Dr. Fisher’s Youth Pastor during college and he also performed Dr. Fisher’s wedding. Dr. Fisher and Reverend Rakoczy are shown here catching their breath during clinic set up at 10,000 feet in the Aticucho Barrio on the slope of a volcano. Outside the church where the medical team set up a temporary medical and dental clinic, the crowd gathers.

In January, 2002, the day the peace treaty ended Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war, Dr. Fisher arrived in the capital city of Freetown to perform surgery on war victims. Surgeries were performed aboard the Anastasis, a ship in the Mercy Ships fleet. Sierra Leone, the poorest country in the world, is located in West Africa. Much of the turmoil in Sierra Leone involved mining diamonds known as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds. For more information about Mercy Ships see www.mercyships.org. This organization is funded by corporate and individual sponsors.

In September, 2003, Dr. Fisher volunteered his services with Victory Church in Lakeland, Florida to treat patients in Ibarra, Ecuador. He is shown here at the Centro Christiano de Ibarra Church where the medical team set up makeshift cubicles using black plastic sheeting. Dr. Fisher is shown with Chelsea Vegter who translated a patient’s medical history. The other photo shows the local and foreign volunteers in front of the church. Dr. Fisher is in the back row in the middle. The team treated 1,577 patients at four locations. More information about Victory Church can be found at www.victorylakeland.org.

In May 2006, Dr. Fisher volunteered to work on a medical/building mission trip to Cochabamba, Bolivia with Victory Church of Lakeland. Dr. Fisher and Dr. Van Doren of Lakeland, Florida, are shown here in front of the Christ of the Concordia landmark statue near Cochabamba, Bolivia. More information about Victory Church can be found at www.victorylakeland.org.

Patient Bill of Rights

Central Orthopedics — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:24:50 +0000

Summary of the Florida Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities:

Florida law requires that your healthcare provider or healthcare facility recognize your rights while you are receiving medical care, and that you respect the health care provider’s or healthcare facility’s right to expect certain behavior on the part of patients. You may request a copy of the full
text of this law from your healthcare provider or healthcare facility. A summary of your rights and responsibilities follows: