General & Administrative Questions

What should I bring to my office visit?

Please bring your current insurance card and a complete list of medications you are taking. You will need this to complete our patient information forms and to see the physician or nurse practitioner.

What insurance plans do you accept, and will my visit and all related services be covered by my insurance?

Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Preferred Care, Medicare, Tricare, United Healthcare and numerous commercial insurances. You need to check with your insurance carrier regarding specific coverage questions. Due to the vast array of plans available, your carrier is best equipped to assist you with this question.

Condition & Treatment Questions

How frequently should I have a pap smear? Do I need a pap smear if I have had a hysterectomy?

We recommend that women have a pap smear yearly. If you have a history of abnormal pap smears, you may be asked to come in more frequently. It is important have a pap smear yearly even if you have had a hysterectomy. We will do a pap smear from the vaginal cuff where the cervix was removed.

Should I be concerned if I have spotting or light bleeding while I am taking birth control pills?

This can be normal if you skipped or were late taking a pill. To avoid this and have the pills be their most effective it is best if you take the pills at the same time everyday.

How do I know I am in menopause?

You may experience symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty sleeping and your periods will become irregular.

When should I have my first dexa scan to rule out osteoporosis? Do you perform dexa scans at your office?

We usually do a baseline when you become menopausal unless you have other risk factors. Yes, we do perform dexa scans at our Penfield location using state of the art equipment.

Is there anything I should do if I am planning to become pregnant?

If you are taking birth control pills stop taking your pills and wait until you have had two periods before trying to conceive.
– Stop Smoking.
– Make sure you have immunity to rubella and chickenpox.
– Take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.
– Eat a balanced diet and do some type of low impact exercise.
– If you have any medical conditions or are on medication regularly, schedule a consultation in our office to see if there are any additional measures you need to insure a healthy pregnancy.

Does your practice manage high risk pregnancies?

Normal as well as high-risk pregnancy management is provided by our physicians. Fetal evaluations involving 4-D ultrasound, and non-stress tests are available.

Can spotting be normal in early pregnancy?

Yes, it can be normal, but it is important to call our office to let us know.

What medications are safe to take during pregnancy?

We use the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s list of approved medications to help alleviate the common symptoms you may experience during pregnancy.