FAQ's
Q: Do I need a referral from my primary physician before I can make an appointment?
A: If you have Medicare or a PPO: No. HMO's usually require one. Generally you can call your doctor and ask him/her to fax us a referral.
Q: Can I just do a sleep study without having an office visit appointment first?
A: No.An evaluation by a sleep specialist is a very important step in the diagnosis and treatment of a sleep disorder. Your sleep specialist will perform an extensive review of your medical history with a special focus on sleep and will perform a physical exam aimed at uncovering common causes of sleep disruption. Some sleep disorders may be treated without requiring a sleep study, while others require a sleep study to determine which disorder you may have and its severity. This visit not only insures that we are providing you with the best possible service, but it is also a requirement for the sleep center to meet the high standards of accreditation by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Q: What is a Sleep Study?
A: A sleep study is a non-invasive, painless evaluation of your sleep.For most patients, a sleep study is a key diagnostic component of a sleep disorder evaluation. A sleep study, also called a polysomnogram (PSG), measures brain wave activity, eye movements, muscle contractions, heart activity, breathing and blood oxygenation during sleep.You are able to move from side to side.
Q: What is a pulmonary function test (PFT)?
A: A PFT is used to determine your lung function and evaluate your breathing.
Q: What is an Arterial blood Gas (ABG)?
A: An ABG sample helps measure how well your heart and lungs are working.
Q: What is a Bronchoscopy?
A: Bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to directly visualize the interior passageways of the lower respiratory tract through a bronchoscope (a long, narrow, fiberoptic, lighted tube inserted through the nose or mouth). With the bronchoscope, the doctor can see the larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), bronchi (large airways to the lungs), and bronchioles (smaller branches of the bronchi).
A bronchoscopy is used to evaluate lung symptoms such as a chronic cough, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), or when a lung disease or lung cancer is suspected after an abnormality is seen on x-ray studies. During a bronchoscopy, doctors are able to visualize the inside of the airways, and take a biopsy of any areas that appear abnormal, to help diagnose a lung disease or lung cancer.
A bronchoscopy also may be used for treatment. It is sometimes done to stop bleeding in the airways, to place a stent to open constricted airways, to remove foreign objects, or to treat a lung cancer that is present in or near the large airways. An example of the latter is brachytherapy, a treatment in which radiation is delivered directly to a tumor through a bronchoscope.
Q: What insurances do you accept?
A: Florida Lung & Sleep Associates accepts most common forms of insurance. Our practice is fee for service for most services and payment is requested at the time of the service. Assignment of Medicare benefits is accepted by our practice. You will be required to pay any annual deductible, co-insurance or co-payment at the time of your appointment. We will file necessary forms for your primary, secondary, and supplemental insurance.
We currently participate in a number of HMO/PPO health plans. Patients with these plans must present proper referrals/authorizations from their primary care physician at the time of their visit. Co-pays are due at the time of your visit. Each patient will need to review their own medical insurance policy benefits with their insurance company to determine their specific policy coverage. Our billing staff can try to assist you. Any questions about billing matters can be directed to our office at (239) 369-3333.
Q: What is a pulmonologist?
A: A pulmonologist is a physician who has specialized knowledge and skill in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary (lung) conditions and diseases. Pulmonology is classified as an internal medicine sub-specialty. Because of the variety of clinical problems encountered, knowledge of internal medicine and other specialties is required. Pulmonary Disease is concerned with diseases of the lungs and airways. The Pulmonologist diagnoses and treats pneumonia, cancer, pleurisy, asthma, occupational diseases, bronchitis, sleep disorder , emphysema, and other complex disorders of the lungs.
