Choosing a Doctor

• What questions should I ask before selecting an orthopedist?

  Consider asking the doctor how many times he’s performed the recommended procedure, as well as his success rates. Also, you may want to ask for references as well as consult with your primary care physician regarding the specialist’s reputation in the medical community.

Preparing Surgery

• What should I do to get ready for orthopedic surgery?

  While your doctor will discuss with you what you can expect with your specific procedure, here are some general guidelines covering what you should do—and should know—so you’ll be ready.

Emergencies

• I need to speak with a doctor right away. What should I do?

  Our doctors are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in an emergency situation that cannot wait until normal business hours, you can call 516.536.2800 and notify our service. The physician on call will be contacted.

About Your Visit

• How do I schedule an appointment?

  To schedule an initial consultation or routine office visit at any of our locations, please call our main office at 516.536.2800 weekdays from 8:00am – 8:00pm or Saturdays from 8:00am – 2:00pm.

• Do I need a referral?

  If your insurance plan requires a referral, it is your responsibility to visit or call your primary care physician prior to your appointment to ensure that you have a referral on file with us (either paper or electronic). Please be advised that some insurance companies may take up to 48 hours to provide a referral. Failure to produce your referral at the time of your visit may result in the delay or cancellation of your appointment.

• What should I bring with me to my appointment?

  Please make sure to bring your photo ID, insurance card(s), and any workers’ compensation case or no-fault carrier/accident information (if applicable) whether it’s your first visit, you are being seen for a new problem, or if you are an existing patient. Please be advised that your insurance carrier may require you to pay an additional copayment for diagnostic services or injections.

Prescription Refills

• How can I refill my prescription?

  Simply call 516.536.2800, ext. 2302 during business hours on weekdays at least one to three days before you’ll need your medication. Pain medications will not be prescribed unless you have been seen by one of our physicians. Once your refill has been approved, you will be notified when your prescription is ready for pickup.

Medical Records

• How can I obtain copies of my records?

  All medical records are confidential. Orlin & Cohen Orthopedic Group maintains compliance with HIPAA regulations regarding confidentiality. If you need to obtain copies of your medical records, a signed release is necessary. If you need to obtain copies of medical records for someone other than yourself, a signed release from the patient or his/her guardian is necessary. The medical records department requires at least five business days to process requests and there is a fee associated with copying records and films.

  To obtain your medical records, you may:

  • Call our medical records department at 516.881.7525, ext. 2218.
  • Download and complete the medical records release form and fax it to us at 516.881.7586.

  Copies of medical records are $0.75 per page and copies of X-rays and other films are $7 per page. Copies may be picked up at the medical records department at our 444 Merrick Road office, Suite 203, located in Lynbrook, NY 11563.

Disability Paperwork and Injection Authorization

• How do I get my disability paperwork or injection authorization completed?

  Disability paperwork and injection authorizations require one week for processing, and you may be charged a fee for completion. If you have not had an office visit within the past 30 days, you may need to make an appointment to review the status of your disability. You will be contacted if an appointment is necessary. Questions regarding disability paperwork or injection authorization can be directed to 516.536.2800, ext. 2112.  You can also email questions regarding disability paperwork to disability@ocoanet.com.

Workers' Compensation FAQs

• How were the guidelines developed?

  The guidelines are an important component of the 2007 workers’ compensation reform, and were initially developed by the governor’s workers’ compensation reform task force and its advisory committee comprised of well-credentialed medical professionals and representatives of business and labor. The board’s medical director and other staff have reviewed and updated the guidelines in light of the comments received by the board and recent developments in medical literature. The guidelines are a compilation of guidelines from ACOEM and the State of Colorado, and input from the advisory committee.

• Do the medical treatment guidelines apply to all work-related injuries and illnesses?

  The guidelines apply only to medical treatment to the mid and low back, the knee, the shoulder and the neck.

• Why were the back, neck, shoulder and knee selected for treatment guidelines?

  These areas of the body represent the most common and most costly workplace injuries. Together they account for 40% of workers’ compensation claims and 60% of the system’s medical costs.

• Are insurance carriers required to comply with medical treatment guidelines?

  Yes, the regulations require insurance carriers to incorporate the medical treatment guidelines into their policies, procedures and practices and report their compliance to the Workers’ Compensation Board.

• What if the claim is several years old and the injured worker has already received more than the recommended amount of physical therapy treatment? Do the guidelines apply?

  Yes, however the guidelines will be applied on individual patients. Therefore, the guidelines’ recommended limits will apply to treatments on, or after, December 1, 2010. For example, if the doctor prescribes six weeks of physical therapy two times per week in mid-November, the portion of that therapy that occurs before December 1, 2010 is not subject to the medical treatment guidelines. Beginning December 1, 2010, physical therapy may continue for three more weeks and then, as required in the general principles of the guidelines, the injured worker must be reevaluated to determine if it is medically necessary for continued physical therapy. Subsequent physical therapy must be consistent with the guidelines or be approved through the variance process.

• Do injured workers still have to obtain diagnostic tests from within a diagnostic network for treatment covered under the medical treatment guidelines?

  Yes. The medical treatment guidelines have no effect on the insurance carrier’s right to direct an injured worker to their diagnostic network.

Pain Management Injections

• What is an epidural steroid injection?

  An epidural steroid injection is a minimally invasive procedure used to help reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by irritated spinal nerves. The medication is injected into the epidural space surrounding the spinal nerves.

• Why am I receiving an epidural injection?

  Epidural injections are commonly used to treat:

  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Sciatica
  • Pinched nerves
  • Neck, back, arm, or leg pain caused by nerve inflammation

• How does the injection work?

  Steroid medication helps reduce inflammation around the affected nerve(s), which may decrease pain, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms.

• Will the procedure be painful?

  Most patients experience only mild discomfort. A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin before the injection is performed.

• How long does the procedure take?

  The procedure typically takes 10-15 minutes. Including check-in and recovery time, plan to be in the office or procedure center for approximately 45-60 minutes.

• Patient Paperwork

  Please note you are required to fill out patient paperwork before you enter Pre-Op, this includes medication history. This will need to be filled out for every visit.

• Do I require Clearence?

  Yes, some procedures/providers require clearance. The scheduler will advise you if this is needed.

• Will I be sedated?

  Sedation may or may not be used depending on your physician’s recommendation and the procedure location. Our staff will provide instructions prior to your appointment.

• Patient Safety:

  Our goal is to make patients feel relaxed and comfortable if they choose sedation. We do not “Knock you out”.

  Some patients may fall asleep and/or forget that the procedure took place, but the safety of our patients is our main concern, and results may vary.

• Can I eat or drink before my procedure?

  WITH SEDATION, you will be asked not to drink anything for 8 hours prior to procedure- This includes water, black coffee. No gum or candy. NOTHING BY THE MOUTH!

   

  If you are NOT HAVING SEDATION you are able to eat/drink. However, if you are a diabetic, be mindful of your diet, as your sugar levels need to be below 250 to have an injection.

• Should I take my regular medications?

  Most medications may be continued. However, blood thinners, diabetes medications, and certain other medications may require special instructions. Please notify the office of all medications you take. Any medications that are listed in the packet to hold will still need to be held.

• I have a cold. Can I still have my procedure?

  If you are at the tail end of a cold and have no fever, body aches, chest congestion, sore throat, you should be ok to proceed.

  However steroids lower your immunity and your ability to fight infection, so it may be best to reschedule.

• I'm taking antibiotics for an illness or infection; can I still have my procedure?

  Again, steroids lower your immunity and your ability to fight infection, so we will ask you to reschedule until antibiotics are finished and infection is gone.

• I had a recent surgery and have stitches. Can I still have my procedure?

  Once your stitches are out and you’re healed, the injection can be done.

• I'm due to have my flu shot-can I still have my injection?

  Our drs prefer you to wait 7-10 days before or after a steroid injection to have any vaccines.

• Do I need a driver?

  If sedation is used, you must arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home. If no sedation is used, your physician will advise whether you may drive yourself.

  Please note, due to space and privacy of our patients, escorts are not allowed in the Pre-Op area.

• Does my ride need to stay on site while I have my procedure?

  You will only be here for an hour so we ask that patients rides do stay local.

  We cannot house our patients for longer than that so if a patient does not have a ride readily available, there may be a delay in your injection.

• I can't get a ride-can I have sedation if an uber picks me up?

  No, unfortunately due to NYS law, a person over 18 needs to sign you out and drive you home. An uber driver will not take responsibility of you.

• When will I feel relief?

  Some patients experience relief within a few days, while others may take up to 1-2 weeks to notice improvement. Individual results vary.

• What should I expect after the injection?

  You may experience:

  • Temporary soreness at the injection site
  • Mild increase in pain for 1-3 days
  • Temporary numbness or weakness
  • Facial flushing or warmth
  • Difficulty sleeping for a short period after receiving steroids

  These effects are generally temporary.

• How long will the relief last?

  Pain relief varies from patient to patient. Some patients experience relief for several weeks or months, while others may require additional treatment.

• Can I return to work?

  Most patients can return to normal activities the next day. If your job involves heavy lifting or strenuous activity, ask your physician for specific recommendations.

• Are there any activity restrictions?

  Avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting on the day of the procedure. You may typically resume normal activities the following day unless instructed otherwise.

• What are the risks of an epidural injection?

  Although uncommon, risks may include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Allergic reaction
  • Temporary increase in pain
  • Headache
  • Nerve irritation
  • Temporary weakness or numbness

  Your physician will review the risks and benefits with you before the procedure.

• How many injections will I need?

  The number of injections varies based on your condition, symptoms, and response to treatment. Your physician will discuss an individualized treatment plan with you.

• When should I call the office?

  Please contact us immediately if you experience:

  • Fever greater than 100.4°F
  • Severe headache that does not improve
  • Increasing redness, swelling, or drainage at the injection site
  • New or worsening weakness
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Severe or worsening pain

• Day of Procedure Checklist

  ✓ Bring a photo ID and insurance card
  ✓ Wear comfortable clothing
  ✓ Follow medication instructions provided by the office
  ✓ Arrange transportation if sedation is planned
  ✓ Arrive 15-30 minutes before your appointment
  ✓ Notify the office if you develop a fever, infection, or illness before your procedure