Patient Information
New Patients
Everything You Need for Your First Visit
We're excited to welcome you to Tumwater Family Chiropractic! Whether you're visiting us for chiropractic care, massage therapy, or another service, we've made your first appointment as simple as possible. Below you'll find everything you need before your visit, as well as what to expect when you arrive.
To help us provide the best experience and quality care for you, please:
Complete your patient paperwork ahead of time (we will send you access to these forms in a method best suited to you: text or email).
Bring your insurance card with you to your first scheduled appointment. Massage patients: make sure you bring your referral with you!
Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. This will ensure all information provided is correct for the provider to see you.
What to Expect
Being well-prepared for your appointment and having all of the needed information will help relieve any anxiety you may be feeling, especially if this is your first visit to a chiropractic physician. Think about your daily habits and current conditions: what kind of movement may impact your health? What makes the symptoms better or worse? This will help the doctor in determining the best course of treatment. Here at Tumwater Family Chiropractic, initial treatments often occur during your first appointment!
Also, take some time to learn about our providers and massage therapists to familiarize yourself with our practice. We look forward to understand your health issues quickly and apply the right treatment to get you back to your optimal health.
Important Insurance Information
How Medical Claims Are Processed
Schedule Your Appointment
Schedule your appointment and provide our office with your insurance information.
Insurance Verification
Our office verifies your insurance coverage and estimated patient responsibility.
Your Appointment
You meet with your provider and charges for your visit are posted.
Checkout
Any applicable copayment or coinsurance is collected at checkout.
Claim Preparation
Our medical biller prepares the claim and checks it for compliance.
Claim Submission
The claim is submitted to your insurance company electronically or manually.
Insurance Review
Your insurance company reviews the claim and determines how it will be processed.
Patient Statement
If a balance remains after insurance processing, a patient statement is generated.
Payment & Follow-Up
Remaining balances are collected and additional insurance follow-up may occur when needed.
Terms You Should Know
Deductible: The amount that you need to pay initially out of pocket before the insurance company makes any payments for medical services. For instance, if your insurance plan has a $1,000 deductible per year, you must pay this amount in full before your insurance company starts to contribute.
Copay: The amount that you are responsible for paying yourself, as mandated by your insurance contract, for doctor visits or services. Applies per visit/service once your deductible is met.
Co-Insurance: Some insurances have a co-insurance instead of/in addition to a deductible. You are responsible for a % of the fees of the medical services. For instance, if your insurance plan has a 20% co-insurance, this means that you will pay 20% of the fees and they will pay 80%. This is usually after the deductible has been met.
Out-of-Pocket Max: The most you will have to pay during a policy period (usually a year) for services. Once you have reached your out-of-pocket max, your plan begins to pay 100% of the amount for covered services.
HMO (Healthcare Maintenance Organization): Designed to keep your out-of-pocket costs low and predictable, aiming to have all specialists under one roof - such as Kaiser, with your PCP coordinating your care and referring you to a specialist and hospital, when needed, within their organization.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): A list of providers with certain criteria by either a private organization to sell insurance companies, or by insurance companies themselves. You can see any licensed provider for covered medical services on this list or network. You usually pay more out-of-pocket, however you pay less when seeing a provider within the network.
HSA & FSA: You pay into a “pre-tax” account for expenses like co-pays, deductibles, diagnostic, tests, prescriptions, etc. Health Savings Account = dollars rollover each year. Flexible Spending Account = dollars must be spent within the year.
For Medicare Patients
Medicare will cover manipulations. Some plans do have a co-payment that is due at the time of service.
An examination is required by Medicare which is done annually or if you have a new injury. Unfortunately, Medicare plans DO NOT cover the cost of these exams.
ABN Forms: Times when manipulations are considered non-covered is when you are coming in for “maintenance care”. You will be asked to sign an ABN form so you are aware of the possibility of Medicare not covering your manipulation.
If you are coming in for a specific health complaint such as an injury or just sleeping wrong, an exam will be performed, and a Functional Rating Index Form will have to be filled out.