Frequent Billing Questions

The insurance plans we accept include:

Aetna Blue Cross/Blue Shield Cigna Coventry Freedom Network/PHP GEHA Humana

Medicare Medicaid - Kansas & Missouri Multiplan Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS) Tricare United Healthcare

If you do not see your insurance plan listed above, please contact your carrier to see if we have been added to their list of preferred providers.

Referral Information

If your insurance plan requires a referral for you to see us, you are responsible for obtaining a referral authorization from your primary care physician. If we have not received an authorization prior to your arrival at the office, your non-emergent appointment may need to be rescheduled. If you are having a test performed in our office, we will take care of obtaining any necessary referrals or authorizations for the test for you (if you have Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage, please read the note below).

NOTE for patients with BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD having a Nuclear Stress Test:

Some BC/BS plans require that the PATIENT call in to their BC/BS customer service department to notify them they are having certain radiological tests such as Nuclear Stress Tests, CT Scans and PET Scans. Please call the BC/BS customer service number on the card prior to your appointment.

Co-pay

If your insurance contract requires that you pay a co-payment for office services, it will normally be clearly printed on your insurance card. Some policies require that their subscribers only pay a co-payment for office visits, while others require a co-payment for each encounter. As policies vary widely, our policy at Midwest Cardiology Associates is to collect a co-pay only when you are scheduled to see one of our Providers. If you are scheduled for a test only, we will not collect a co-pay at the time of service. However, you may be billed for a co-pay after your insurance claim has been processed if your carrier assesses one. Please contact your carrier if you have any questions about your co-payment obligation.

Do I need to show my insurance card at each visit?

A patient's insurance plan, ID Number or Group Number may change at any time throughout the course of the year. We ask to see the card at each visit to ensure sure we have current information. Inaccurate insurance information can delay payment and may lead to increased medical costs for all patients.

Billing-related questions

The Midwest Cardiology Associates business office can be reached at (913) 253-3060 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Payment options

We accept payment by Cash, Check, VISA, Mastercard or Discover.

Where do I send my payment?

Please send your payment to:

Midwest Cardiology Associates
PO Box 413092
Kansas City, MO 64141

You may also pay your bill in any of our office locations.

Frequent Medical Questions

If I'm having a problem, who do I call?

If you are having an emergency, please call 911. If you are having a heart-related problem, call the office before 4:00 p.m. A nurse will review your chart and return your call (Menorah office nurse line - 913-253-3050); (Quivira office nurse line - 913-541-7730); and (Centerpoint office nurse line - 816-503-4490).

If I call with a question, when will someone call me back?

If your call is urgent, a nurse will contact you as soon as possible. Your records may need to be reviewed and/or your cardiologist may need to be consulted before your call is returned. If you are having an emergency, please call 911.

If your call is non-urgent, a nurse will return your call within 24 hours. We may need to consult with your cardiologist to answer your questions.

Are there any medications or foods that I should avoid before having a test?

Some tests require that you stop taking certain medications prior to the test. There are also foods that you should not consume or you may be asked to not eat for a number of hours before the test.

Our test schedulers will be able to answer your questions regarding medication or food consumption prior to your test. You may call (Menorah office - 913-253-3000); (Overland Park Regional Office - 913-894-9015); and (Centerpoint Medical Center office - 816-478-9071) to have your questions answered.

What is the importance of having a primary care physician?

Most insurance plans require that you have a primary care physician that coordinates your care and makes referrals to specialists.

How do I obtain a lab order?

Your physician may want routine labs drawn prior to your follow up visit. If you do not have a lab order, please contact our office and we can mail one to you or fax one to a specific lab.

Where do I go for lab work ordered by my cardiologist?

It is your responsibility to find a lab that is covered by your insurance company. This can be done by calling the number on your card. Please call us with the location of the lab that you are using so we can obtain your results.

Where will my testing be done?

If your cardiologist recommends a diagnostic test for your heart, most likely you can have it performed at one of the Midwest Cardiology Associates offices.

Midwest Cardiology Associates offers full-service diagnostic testing with state-of-the-art equipment at all of our locations. The same technicians, nurses and physicians perform most of the testing at each location.

How do I get my test results?

If the test was ordered by your primary care physician, you may obtain your results by calling your primary care physician's office approximately 48 hours after completing the test.

If a Midwest Cardiology Associates Cardiologist ordered the test and the result is Urgent, we will contact you as soon as possible. If the result is Not Urgent, we will contact you by phone or mail as soon as your results have been obtained and reviewed, usually 5-7 business days. If you have an appointment in the near future (4-6 wks) and your results are NOT URGENT, we will notify you at your visit.

If my defibrillator goes off and shocks me, what do I do?

If you pass out or are very symptomatic, call the office immediately or go to the ER. We will need to check your device to determine the cause/appropriateness of the shock. If you receive more than one shock, please call 911 or go to the ER.

What if I need cardiac clearance for upcoming surgery?

If you are scheduled for surgery or need to schedule surgery, please contact your cardiologist right away. Certain testing or an office visit may be needed prior to clearing you for surgery.

When I went to my dentist recently, he asked me if my doctor told me to take antibiotics for prevention of infection. Why?

The American Heart Association (AHA) has recommended that certain patients should take preventive antibiotics before certain procedures, such as dental cleanings, so potential infections can be prevented.

Your cardiologist will inform you at your visit if it is necessary for you to take preventive antibiotics. Generally, only patients having a heart valve replacement will be recommended to follow these guidelines.

If you are instructed to take antibiotics, you will be given an AHA card stating your doctor has recommended antibiotics.

Why do I need to bring my medications with me to every visit?

We ask that you bring your medications or an accurate and complete list to every office visit so that every medication can be correctly documented. Often patients have prescriptions from several physicians, making it even more important that all medications are recorded so they may be reviewed for drug interactions and potential side effects.

How do I get my medications refilled?

Please have your pharmacy contact our office for medications refills or ask your physician at the time of your appointment that you need a medication refill.

How long should I wait to hear about any protime test?

If you take Coumadin and have had a protime, please call our office if you have not heard from us within 24 hours.

What is a normal HR/BP?

When do I call the doctor? A normal HR is 60-100 bpm for an adult and a normal BP is 100-130/60-75. Many cardiac meds cause your HR and/or BP to run lower than this. It is ok if the top number (systolic) is less than 100 as long as you feel okay. If you are dizzy or light headed or pass out, call the office. If your BP is above 170/90 consistently, please call your PCP or cardiologist.

I am scheduled for a procedure at the hospital. When will someone instruct me on my time to check in?

You will get this information at the time the nurse is educating you about the procedure. For some procedures, our front office or the hospital itself will notify you. In any case, if you have not received this information by 3:00 p.m. the day before your procedure, call the office.

I need to have the doctor fill out my Disability Forms, who do I call?

If you have had a heart bypass or other cardiac surgery, or if you have had a heart attack or were hospitalized for congestive heart failure within the last 3 months, you should give the forms to your cardiologist. All other reasons for disability must sent be to your primary care physician.