Yes, we provide virtual visits using Doxy.me. You will need to be connected to a high speed internet network, and not be riding in a car or moving. The office staff will instruct you on how to connect for the visit.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TEST YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION AND DEVICE BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT TIME.

If too much of the time is spent getting the connection to work the appointment will need to be rescheduled.

Yes, a significant part of Dr. Smith's practice is seeing patients who live throughout the US and even internationally. Patient can send their records to Dr. Smith, including recent testing, and during a virtual appointment decisions can be made about traveling to Atlanta for surgery with Dr. Smith.

EIA accepts insurance form most Anthem, United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Ambetter and Tricare plans*. There may be some special plans that these companies offer that are not accepted. Call the office to learn more, or check with your insurance company to see if Dr. Smith is covered and in-network.

NOTE: Dr. Smith does not accept Medicare or any Medicare supplemental plan for payment of his service. See FAQ on Medicare.

*EIA is contracted through the Piedmont Clinic, and therefore is in network with most insurance plans that are accepted and in-network with Piedmont Clinic.

Dr. Smith performs operation on out-of-town patients on Wednesdays. A typical itinerary for an out of patient would look like this:

Monday or early Tuesday

Arrive in Atlanta.

Tuesday

Office visit with Dr. Smith where the plan made during a virtual visit would be reviewed.

A preoperative visit at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital with the anesthesia team.

Wednesday

Admit to the hospital for surgery some time that day.

Possible discharge later that day, or admitted for an overnight stay.

Thursday

If overnight stay, discharge late morning or early afternoon.

Friday or Into Weekend

Travel home.

First follow-up visit is typically at one month from the day of surgery and is a virtual visit, no need to travel back to Atlanta.

Yes, Dr. Smith does see Medicare patients, but Medicare patients will not be able to use their Medicare benefits to pay Dr. Smith's professional fees. They can use their Medicare benefits to pay for all the other costs related to the care Dr. Smith provides. Statement on Medicare.

For example, if a Medicare patient chooses Dr. Smith for their care, this how their Medicare benefit can be used:

• Any and all testing not performed by Dr Smith - YES

• Hospital fees for any care Dr. Smith provides including testing and surgery - YES

• Anesthesia fees for any care provided including testing and surgery by Dr. Smith - YES

• Dr. Smith's professional fee for care he provides including office visits, testing and surgery - NO

For his Medicare patients, Dr. Smith will do everything he can to get all of the testing done by doctors who accept Medicare, and minimize the number of office visits with Dr. Smith, thereby helping a Medicare patient optimize the use of their benefits, and only have to pay for Dr. Smith's professional fees.

Please contact the office to get an estimate of what your out-of-pocket cost will be for an office visits and surgery.