Prem Menon, M.D. Vimla Menon, M.D.
1-800-DR-MENON (1-800-376-3666)
Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Center
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Patient Forms & Information
New Patient Questionnaire:
Patient Information Record
AAIC IS HIPPA COMPLIANT
Why should you choose a Board Certified Allergist / Immunologist?
As described on the American Board of Medical Specialties website, 'Specialty Certification in the United States is a voluntary process. Board Certification and the Gold Star demonstrate a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and / or subspecialty of medical practice.
The Gold Star signals a physician’s commitment in consistently achieving superior clinical outcomes in a responsive, patient-focused setting.
Patients, physicians, healthcare providers, insurers and quality organizations look for the Gold Star as the best measure of a physician’s knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality healthcare within a given specialty'.
Preparing for your Visit: Patient Information
We are pleased that you have chosen AAIC for your medical needs pertaining to asthma, allergies and immunology related diseases.
Asthma, Allergy and Immunology Center is a patient- centered practice. We will strive to make your visit worthwhile by providing you personalized care.
Initial and Follow Up Visits
Depending on the nature and complexity of medical issues, your initial appointment may take about 1 to 3 hours. No two patient’s visits are exactly the same. Follow up visits could last 15 to 45 minutes.
A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN MUST ACCOMPANY any patient under the age of 18 at the time of an initial visit. For subsequent visits parent/guardian may authorize a care giver to accompany the minor.
Useful Tips
- Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your appointment.
- Please bring a list of your current medications: or bring your medicine bottles.
- Please bring pertinent medical records, including office or consult notes, laboratory test results, X-Rays\ CT \ MRI\ Biopsy reports, previous allergy tests results\ Patch Tests, Sleep Study or other test results.
- Immunization record of children and adolescent patients.
- Come prepared for the initial and follow up visits, by bringing written questions focused on problems for discussion with the doctors.
- Always use the laboratory, radiology facility or ER or hospital that are preferred and recommended by your insurance carrier.
- If prior authorization for consults, tests, ER visits or hospitalizations are required by your insurance carrier, please obtain them prior to the service.
In an emergency, always call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
Insurance
AAIC accepts most major health insurance plans and networks in our area of service .Certain plans may not cover some or all of our services. Some services may need referrals or prior authorizations. Obtaining referrals is the responsibility of the patient. Please check with your carrier and ascertain, if AAIC is in or out of your network and whether a referral is required for your visits or procedures.
Co–pay/co-insurance, for your specific plan will be collected on the date of service. Based on your insurance, you may be responsible for the cost of some or all of the services performed. If you have a high deductible plan, AAIC will collect the amount going towards your deductible on the day of your visit. Testing is done on an individualized basis. Hence cost can vary significantly from patient to patient.
AAIC is a small, single specialty, private practice. Hence we cannot offer financing to patients.
As a favor, prior to your visit, AAIC will verify your benefits with your insurance carrier. The information provided by your insurance carrier will be shared with you. AAIC will not be responsible for any misquoted or wrong information on coverage provided by the insurance carrier.
For the plans we participate in, please call (225) 766-6931 / 1-800-DR-MENON or refer to the list below.
Some of the insurance plans we participate in:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield including Louisiana/OGB, other states and Federal.
- Cigna
- Coventry
- United Health Care
- Humana
- Aetna
- LSU First Choice
- Web - TPA
Patient Registration Forms
To save time and to make the registration process smooth and efficient, we recommend that you download and fill out the forms in the Patient Registration package (links at the top of this page). Please review and fill out the New Patient history questionnaire. You may fax the completed forms to 225-766-9413 prior to your appointment, or bring them on the day of your visit.
AAIC is HIPPA compliant.
Allergy Skin Testing
Wear comfortable clothing in anticipation of allergy skin testing.
Skin testing for allergies is the Gold standard. Because there are high numbers of mast cells just under the skin, the response to scratch/ prick skin testing with the allergens is prompt and accurate in comparison to blood tests.
In anticipation of allergy skin testing during the visit we recommend that you not, take any medications containing prescribed or over the counter antihistamines (oral, nose sprays, eye drops) for 5 days prior to your appointment. These medications suppress allergic reactions and hence the results the results may not be reliable. If your symptoms are intolerable without these medications, then please continue to take them and we will figure out the best course of action after your visit.
Prescriptions you should stop taking prior to allergy testing include Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec, Benadryl, Atarax, and some sleep aids. Tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants may be stopped in consultation with your primary care physician, about 3 weeks prior to the visit.
DO NOT stop taking routine medications prescribed for asthma, diabetes, heart, blood pressure or thyroid disease etc.
Allergy injections should not be taken on the same day as an office visit due to insurance purposes.
Allergy Skin Test Procedure
If indicated, additional intra-dermal testing may be done with select allergens, in the upper arm to identify any allergens that was not identified by the skin prick tests.
The tests are read in 20 minutes after application. Positive reactions will look like mosquito bites, surrounded by redness and associated with itching.
Based on the test results, a customized and individualized plan of treatment is determined. The treatment plan may include allergy desensitization (allergy shots).
Prescription Refills
If you need prescription refills, ask the pharmacist to fax the requests to our office (225) 766-9413 or call our office (225) 766-6931 Monday-Thursday between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Please call before you are completely out of medications. It is required that all patients taking prescription medications keep follow up visits with the doctor, per the recommendation.
Cancellation Policy
If you have to cancel, please do so, as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled appointment.
Laboratory Test Results
Laboratory test results are conveyed at the follow up visits. Conveying results of Immunology tests are best done in person due to their complex nature and time involvement.
AAIC is a specialty practice. All patients are expected to have a primary care physician.
Work – In Visits
If you are ill, please call the office first and discuss the nature of the illness with the nurse. The doctors will try their best to work in patients, as soon as possible. Please note that our physicians prefer not to prescribe medications without regular follow up visit.
After Hours
Our physicians are on call for emergencies. For non-emergencies please leave a message, with the answering service, (225) 379-6810. We will return your phone call, the next business day.
In case of an emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.
Medical Records
Medical records are strictly confidential. Without your authorization we will not release them to anyone. We are obligated to share the information with your Insurance carrier for billing and quality control purposes.
With your consent we will share the information with your primary care physician and other involved specialists.
Release of medical records should be made at least 10 days in advance. Release of entire records or for legal purposes will entail a standardized fee.
Conclusion of the Visit
Please feel free to communicate and ask questions about your diagnosis, laboratory tests / procedures performed or ordered and treatment plan.
AAIC continually strives to improve the quality of our services to our patients. Also please give us your feedback about our staff and services. You are our most valuable critic. We welcome and appreciate the opportunity to serve you.
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