Your First Appointment - Medical Practice in Erie, PA
 
Typically, at your first appointment, Doctor will interview you for a comprehensive personal, family and social history relevant to your presenting problem, and then conduct an appropriately thorough examination. If it is pertinent to your problem, allergy skin testing and possibly some breathing tests may be done at this time. Note: some insurances will not allow testing to be done at the same time as you see the doctor, and if this is the case, you will be scheduled for further testing. After any testing, doctor will again see you to review any results of testing and discuss a treatment plan with you. A letter will also be sent back to your primary care doctor after your appointment.
 

If you are pregnant or nursing please inform the nurse or physician at your appointment.

 
It is possible that your first appointment could last at least 2 1/2 hours (if you do get tested on this day) so you should schedule other obligations or appointments accordingly. We do strive to keep our appointments on time.
If it is likely that allergy testing will be done, it will be necessary for you to discontinue any medications containing antihistamines (except if you have hives). The enclosed list of medications should be carefully reviewed, or else your primary care physician may advise you on this.
DO NOT DISCONTINUE ANY MEDICATIONS FOR THIS VISIT WITHOUT CONSULTING A PHYSICIAN.
It is not necessary to be fasting or discontinue eating.
Patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
WE WELCOME ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS THAT YOU MAY HAVE REGARDING YOUR VISIT WITH US. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL OUR OFFICE MANAGER AT ANY TIME DURING BUSINESS HOURS AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO HELP YOU.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR VISIT.
THESE MEDICATIONS MUST BE DISCONTINUED TO BE ALLERGY SKIN TESTED:
STOP FOR 8 DAYS: Alavert, Allegra D, Cetirizine, Clarinex, Claritin, Claritin D, Desloratadine, Fexofenadine, Loratadine, Zyrtec, Zyrtec D, Xyzal, Levocitrizine

STOP FOR 4 DAYS: Astelin, Astepro, Atarax, Antihist, Azelastilline, Bepreve, Cyproheptadine, Clemastine, Hydroxyzine, Optivar, Patanase, Pataday, Periactin, Tavist, Tavist D, Vistaril, Zaditor, Dymista

STOP FOR 36 HOURS: Acrivastine, Actifed, Allerest, Aller-chor, Axid, Azatadine, Benadryl, Benyline, Bonine, Bromfed, Brompheneramine, Chlorpheneramine, Chor-Trimetone, Cimetadine, Codimal DH, Contac, Dallergy, Decomine, Dimetane, Dipheramine, Diphenhydramine, Dimetapp, Dramamine, Dristan, Drixoral, Dura-tab, Dura-vent, Extendryl, Famotidine, Hycomine, Kronofed, Marenzine, Meclizine, Methapyrilline, Methoscopalimine, Naldecon, Nizatdine, Nolahist, Nolamine, Novafed A, Optimine, Pepcid, Phenergan, Polyhistine D, Promethazine, Pyrilamine, Ranitidine, Rondec, Rynatan, Rynatuss, Semprex, Sinulin, Sinutab, Tagament, Triaminic, Triaminicol, Trinalin, Tussionex, Tylenol Allergy, Zantac

A large number of NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS for colds, cough, insomnia, and headache contain ANTIHISTAMINES. Please review the ingredients of any medications you are taking. Most of these need to be stopped for 36 hours. If you are unsure call our office and we will be glad to help you.
DO NOT STOP ANY MAINTENANCE MEDICATIONS (HEART, BLOOD PRESSURE, ETC) WITHOUT CONSULTING A PHYSICIAN.

IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT ABOUT WHETHER TO STOP A MEDICATION, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE.

ANTIBIOTICS DO NOT INTERFERE WITH SKIN TESTS.
 
 

Insurance Information

Insurances Accepted

We contract with many insurance companies. Please contact our office for this information.
  • We will bill all insurance plans on behalf of our patients.
  • All office visit copays are to be paid at the time of your visit.
  • All deductible and coinsurance balances remaining after your insurance pays will be billed within our next billing cycle and will be due within 30 days.
  • When ongoing services such as allergy injections or allergy extract refills are necessary and billed, we expect your balance to always be kept current. Previous balances must be paid before new refills of allergy serum will be prepared.
  • If you have an insurance plan with which we do not participate, we will bill your insurance for your services, but payment, or payment arrangements are expected to be made at the time of service.
  • We accept MasterCard, VISA, Discover Card and American Express for your convenience.
Please bring your driver's license and all insurance cards with you each time you come for your visit, or request services.

Please be sure we have all necessary HMO referrals from your Primary Care doctor before your visit, or bring them with you. We expect that you will come prepared to pay any office copay by your insurance at the time of your visit.
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