We understand
you may have questions about our practice and our physicians. Below, please find a list of
commonly asked inquiries. We hope this section will assist you in answering any questions
you may have, and feel free to contact us directly if we can be of further service.
Should Ask Questions (SAQs)
General Questions
Questions about My Care
Questions about My Bill
General Questions & Answers
What are your hours of operation?
Women's Health Associates is open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
We are closed on all legal holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. By custom we also close the afternoon of Christmas
Eve and the day after Thanksgiving.
Which hospitals are your physicians affiliated with?
Our physicians have privileges at the following hospitals: Shawnee Mission Medical Center
in Shawnee Mission, Kansas and Menorah Medical Center in Leawood, Kansas.
What insurances do you accept?
While we accept most insurances, we suggest you contact your health insurance plan to
ensure we are listed as an in-network provider.
Do you accept Medicaid or Healthwave patients?
No. Women's Health Associates does not accept these insurance types.
How do I make or cancel an appointment?
To schedule or cancel an appointment, call (913) 677-3113 and select option 2. You will
then be routed to our appointment desk, where one of our staff can assist you.
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What should I bring to each appointment?
It is important that you bring a current copy of your insurance card and one form of
identification. During each appointment, you will be asked to update your records, and any
required copays will be collected before your scheduled visit.
Why do I have to come early to complete paperwork? Can the New
Patient paperwork be mailed to me in advance?
Unfortunately, no. Women's Health Associates has recently implemented an Electronic
Medical Records (EMR) system, and the forms used to update the system cannot be mailed due
to the sensitivity of the paper (i.e., if form is bent in any way, it will not feed into
our system). It is for this reason you must come early.
What should I do if I am running late to an appointment?
If you are running late to an appointment, we ask that you call our offices at (913)
677-3113 to notify us. While we will always attempt to see patients who are late for their
appointments, you may be asked to reschedule if you are more than 20 minutes late.
Do any of your doctors specialize in menopause? Or see
gynecology-patients only?
All of our physicians specialize in treating the entire spectrum of women’s health:
from pre-pregnancy to motherhood to menopause. We do not have doctors that specialize
solely in one area.
Do you offer the Gardasil HPV vaccination?
Yes, Women's Health Associates offers the Gardasil vaccination. If you are interested in
Gardasil, call our office to schedule an appointment to discuss this vaccine with your
physician. Please know that because of its recent introduction and we are uncertain how
insurance companies will cover this new series of vaccines, we will contact your insurance
company to verify you have benefits for Gardasil prior to you receiving the injection.
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Questions & Answers about My Care
What should I do if I need to obtain a prescription refill?
For routine prescription refills, please contact your pharmacy several days ahead of time
to request a refill, and they will obtain any necessary information from our office.
Please know that some prescriptions can’t be refilled without an office visit.
Is a provider available by phone after-hours, if I am experiencing
an emergency?
Yes. If you are experiencing an emergency and need to speak with a doctor outside of our
normal business hours, call (913) 676-7323 to reach our answering service where they can
triage your symptoms and page the physician on call. Please know that any non-emergent
calls and any calls that do not relate to a pregnancy or recent surgery may be assessed a
$25 fee.
Should I page the physician on call outside of normal business
hours, if I have a vaginal or other infection?
Unfortunately, there is limited treatment for these infections that can occur after-hours,
and it is recommended you wait to schedule an appointment during our normal business
hours. If necessary, we can often schedule same-day appointments for problems you are
experiencing. In the meantime, our physicians recommend you visit your pharmacy to obtain
an over-the-counter medication or, if necessary, visit an urgent care clinic for
treatment.
If I am pregnant, should I contact the hospital to pre-register my
upcoming delivery?
Yes, it is recommended that you contact the hospital, which you have chosen to deliver
your baby, in advance (about 32 weeks into your pregnancy). If you have chosen to deliver
at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, call (913) 676-2300 or visit https://www.shawneemission.org/content/view/90/1055/
for more information. If you have chosen Menorah Medical Center, call (913) 498-6320 or
visit http://www.menorahmedicalcenter.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID={68E8AA24-D857-46B8-AC10-0B4CA4E16823
for more information. This is also where you can find information on any available classes
that you may find beneficial during your pregnancy.
Where can I go to sign up for prenatal education classes?
As an expecting mother, you have access to two types of prenatal education classes: group classes and private classes. Both Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Menorah Medical Center offer prenatal education classes in a group setting. If you have chosen to deliver at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, call (913) 676-2300 or visit https://www.shawneemission.org/content/view/90/1055/ for more information. If you have chosen Menorah Medical Center, call (913) 498-6320 or visit http://www.menorahmedicalcenter.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID={68E8AA24-D857-46B8-AC10-0B4CA4E16823} for more information. If you are interested in learning about private classes, contact Vanessa Flood at (913) 485-0298 or visit www.birthingbeyond.com for more information.
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Questions & Answers about My Bill
Why am I not billed immediately after receiving a service?
Assuming you have insurance, several steps take place prior to you receiving a bill from
Women's Health Associates. Our practice will file a claim with your insurance company
within a few days of your service being rendered. Most insurance companies process the
claim within 30 days (although it can take longer if the claim must be reprocessed or if
your insurance company has questions). Once we receive payment from your insurance
company, a bill is sent to you for any remaining balances owed to the practice. This
process ensures your insurance benefits and discounts are applied prior to you receiving a
bill.
I am pregnant and understand that most services will be covered
under one “global fee”. What services are not covered under this global?
The global fee is one charge that Women's Health Associates bills your insurance company
for your standard maternity care, which includes 13 prenatal visits, the delivery of the
baby and one routine postpartum visit. Any additional services received (including but not
limited to non-stress / fetal monitoring tests, problems visits, labs and sonograms) are
not covered under the global fee and will be billed separately to your insurance company.
These additional services are subject to your deductible, coinsurance and / or copay
benefits.
Why did I receive a bill from an outside entity (e.g., lab,
hospital, etc.), in addition to my bill from Women's Health Associates?
Women's Health Associates bills only for services that are performed by our office and our
physicians. Any laboratory testing (including blood work, pap smears, screenings, etc.) is
sent to an outside lab for processing; therefore, you may receive a bill from the lab for
their services. This will be in addition to the bill you may receive from us relating to
the services your physician performed. The same applies for any medical care you receive
at the hospital or other facility (including anesthesia and/or perinatal specialists): the
services you receive are external to Women's Health Associates, and you may receive a bill
from these outside entities.
What can I do if I disagree with a decision made by my insurance
company not to pay for a procedure or office visit?
You always have the right to appeal decisions made by your insurance company. You must
contact your insurance company to find out how to go about submitting an appeal.
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