Shoreline Orthopaedics responds to some of our patients’ most frequently asked questions.
General FAQ
What should I bring to my appointment?
If this will be your first visit to Shoreline Orthopaedics, please arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment in order to fill out a Patient Information Form, Medical History, etc. Be sure to bring your insurance card(s) and driver’s license, as these will be scanned into your chart for future reference.
Also bring any X-ray/imaging reports that are pertinent to what you are being seen for.
If you are an established patient but have not been to our office for more than a year, we will ask you to fill out a new Patient Information Form. Please advise the receptionist at check-in if there have been any changes to your name, address, telephone number, or insurance coverage.
Please be aware that we will collect your co-pay at the time of your appointment, failure to pay may result in cancellation. We are a “Specialist” office, so your co-pay may be different for our office than it is at your primary care physician’s office. Our Hudsonville location will not be accepting cash payments, only credit/debit cards or check.
Why do you need a copy of my driver's license?
We scan your driver’s license into your medical record as a means of identification for our physicians and staff. This provides us with a copy of your signature and is helpful for phone calls, questions, and as a visual reference for your medical record.
What credit cards do you accept?
Shoreline Orthopaedics currently accepts all major credit cards, as well as CareCredit.
Are all of your physicians board certified or board eligible?
Yes. This means that they have completed a training program after going to medical school, and have taken certain examinations to determine their proficiency in a particular specialty of medicine. Each medical specialty board, for example, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, require high standards of training and performance and ensure this by rigid examinations. Each board certified physician must maintain their certification by completing various requirements every 7-10 years.
Do you accept walk-ins? What are your hours?
The physicians at Shoreline see their patients by appointment only. Please call ahead to schedule your appointment, or if you prefer, we also offer easy online scheduling.
However, we do offer an urgent orthopaedic walk in clinic. This provides patients with the opportunity to avoid a trip to the emergency room or an urgent care facility for issues such as sprains, strains, or broken bones. Walk in patients will be seen by one of our orthopedic Advanced Practice Providers (Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner).
The hours for the Orthopaedic Urgent care are:
Holland Urgent Care: Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM-6:00 PM / Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM / Saturday 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Hudsonville Urgent Care: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Servicesnotavailable through our walk in clinic include:
- Cortisone injections
- Treatment for chronic conditions, including pain management
- Second opinions for orthopaedic issues
- Workers’ compensation injuries
- Emergency medical conditions, such as chest pain, breathing difficulties, or significant trauma
Our normal clinic hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Are all physicians at Shoreline Orthopaedics currently accepting new patients?
Yes, all of the providers at Shoreline Orthopaedics are accepting new patients. Please call your insurance company before making an appointment to make sure that you do not require a referral from your primary care physician to see a “specialist.”
What is my co-pay and who determines that?
Your co-pay is an amount set by your insurance policy. Remember that Shoreline Orthopaedics is a specialist office, so the co-pay may be a different amount to see one of our physicians than it would be if you had a visit with your primary care doctor.
Some insurance policies have a co-pay for the office visit, as well as for an X-ray, so it is possible that you may receive an additional bill after your insurance company has paid. We accept all major credit cards, CareCredit, checks or money orders. We do not accept cash payments.
If you have any questions regarding this, contact your insurance company directly, the number can usually be found on the back of your card.
What is my insurance deductible?
The deductible is the portion of any claim that is not covered by the insurance provider. Some policies have an individual or family deductible that most often needs to be met on a yearly basis.
If you have questions regarding your coverage, please contact your insurance company directly, the number can usually be found on the back of your card.
What is an EOB or Explanation of Benefits?
An EOB is your Explanation of Benefits provided by your insurance company to explain what benefits were considered for payment to the provider. Your insurance company will provide a copy of the EOB to you, the patient, as well as to our office, the provider, once the claim has been properly processed.
The EOB will list specific information regarding your claim, such as the Date of Service, Total Charges, any applicable Co-Pay or Deductible, and what amount was paid to the provider. Patients should review their EOB carefully to check for accuracy. If you have questions regarding your EOB, contact your insurance company directly.
What is a PA or physician assistant?
A PA or physician assistant is a graduate of an accredited PA educational program who is authorized by the state to practice medicine with the supervision of a licensed physician. PAs are invaluable members of the health care team and work in concert with physicians to ensure the highest quality of care for patients. Visithttps://www.aapa.org/about/what-is-a-pa/for more information.
Urgent Care FAQ
How is the Orthopaedic Urgent Care different from the ER or standard Urgent Care?
ER’s and standard Urgent Care facilities are more equipped for treating general systemic conditions or severe traumatic injuries. When you go to the ER or Urgent Care for an orthopaedic condition, you will be treated conservatively and referred to an orthopaedic specialist for treatment and follow up. The goal of our Orthopaedic Urgent Care is to give patients direct access to specialized care and prevent delayed treatment.
What are examples of issues/injuries appropriate for Orthopaedic Urgent Care?
- Simple Bone Fractures
- Acute Injury
- Muscle/tendon strains and ligament/joint sprains
- Dislocations
- Wrist and Forearm Injuries
- Lower Extremity Injuries (foot, ankle, leg, knee, hip)
What services/treatments are not available/appropriate through the Orthopaedic Urgent Care?
- Cortisone Injections
- Chronic Neck or Back Pain
- Chronic conditions, such as pain management
- Second Opinions for orthopaedic issues
- Workers’ Comp Injuries
- Emergency Conditions- chest pain, difficulty breathing, significant trauma
- A previous referral by your PCP for an elective non-surgical orthopaedic issue
When should I go to the ER instead of the Orthopaedic Urgent Care?
- Serious injuries resulting from a motor vehicle accident
- Acute neck or back pain with accompanying numbness, tingling, or loss of consciousness
- Crush Injuries
- Traumatic bone, ligament or muscle injury accompanied by significant blood loss and/or obvious deformity of the bone or joint
