Appointment policies Non-emergency patients should schedule their appointments in advance. Nevertheless, same day appointments are available in certain URGENT situations. Patients with life threatening conditions should go directly to the nearest Emergency Room or Acute Care Center. Our physicians are sensitive to patient's schedules and strive to keep their appointments. There are occasions when critical emergencies arise, i.e., patients in the hospital with internal bleeding, etc., where your doctor must forego all the appointments at the office on any given day. Should this occur, our staff will contact you as soon as possible and your appointment will be rescheduled. Gastroenterology Consultants of Libertyville, Ltd. has strived to meet the needs of existing patients and new patients we encounter by involving our practice in numerous Managed Care contracts with insurance companies and physician associations for billing of claims for consultations in the office and in the hospitals along with procedures we perform. We are contracted to provide services to our patients with most insurance companies and physician associations for specialty care. We are not presently contracted to provide services as primary care physicians for ANY patients or insurance plans. With the continuing changes that occur with insurance policies in these days of managed care, we always advise patients to contact either their primary care physician or their insurance carrier prior to making any appointments to see the physicians of Gastroenterology Consultants of Libertyville. The employees in the business office are always available to assist patients with any questions they may have in regard to their insurance coverage or billing issues. They are available Monday-Friday in the Libertyville office from 10AM-4PM. Feel free to call them during those hours at 847-680-5892. Fees, Billing & Insurance Claims Payment is expected at the time of service, unless other arrangements have been made in advance and communicated to the business office. Our patients, not their insurance companies, are ultimately responsible for the balance on their accounts. Statements on open accounts are sent out from our office on a monthly basis. Our practice is contracted for Specialty Care with most insurance companies. Our business staff is knowledgeable about the restrictions managed care policies impose on patients and will try to assist patients with any questions they may have. Patients need to follow guidelines set forth by the insurance that they carry and notify their Primary Care Physician for referrals if required to see our physicians. We accept Medicare Assignment and will bill Medicare patient's secondary insurance also. Our physicians realize that there are unexpected human emergencies leading to financial hardships. If you find yourself in this position, we urge you to discuss the matter with the business office staff to make payment arrangements. The business office can be reached by calling 847-680-5892, Monday–Friday, 10AM–4PM. Medicare Reimbursement for Colonoscopy Starting July 1, 2001, Medicare will reimburse beneficiaries for a screening colonoscopy. Patients who are considered high risk (e.g., family history of colon cancer), may be screened no more than once every two years. Patients, who are considered average risk, may be screened no more than once every 10 years. In addition to screening colonoscopy, fecal occult blood tests will be reimbursed annually when ordered by a physician, and flexible sigmoidoscopy will be reimbursed once every 4 years for patients at average risk. Consult your physician about the most appropriate screening for you.

Gastroenterology Consultants of Libertyville, Ltd. 890 Garfield Ave. Suite 103 Libertyville, IL 60048 Phone (847) 680-5858 Fax (847) 680-5862   For further information click on the following links: