Frequently Asked Questions

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.