What to Expect at your Appointment
At Alchemy our commitment to the patient does not end when we deliver a brace or artificial leg. Nor
does it begin with the first patient visit. We are dedicated to facilitating every aspect of the patient
encounter, from the first telephone call to the completion of the treatment program.
Before the Visit…
You must have a referral from your doctor before scheduling an appointment with us. When talking with
your doctor, it is also helpful to ask them not only for the referral, but for a Doctor’s Note to accompany
the referral; this with help with documentation for insurance purposes. Please call Alchemy as soon as
possible after receiving your referral to schedule your appointment.
Our experienced schedulers will help you to:
- Determine the care you require and assign you a practitioner most suited to your needs.
- Schedule an appointment at a time that is convenient for you.
- Take some information over the phone to help us expedite the check-in process on the day of
your appointment. Information you may be asked to provide includes your referring doctor’s
name, your address, phone numbers, date of birth and insurance information.
Alchemy will do our best to verify your insurance benefits and coverage prior to your appointment. This
allows us to notify you if there are any problems in advance, so that we can work with you to resolve
them and get the treatment you need.
Before your first appointment we recommend that you download, print, and complete the new patient
documents below and bring it with you to the appointment.
Billing and Insurance FAQ
What portion of the bill will I be responsible for paying?
Depending on your insurance coverage, you may be responsible for paying a certain amount at the time of service. Please contact our friendly staff or your insurance carrier to determine what costs you may need to pay for out of pocket.
What will my insurance company pay for?
This varies by insurance carrier and by what type of plan you are on. If you have questions about what services we provide that are often covered by insurance, please feel free to contact us, or your insurance carrier to determine what portion of your services they will pay for.
Will Alchemy bill my insurance company directly?
Absolutely! We accept most insurance coverage, including Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Please contact us if you are in doubt about whether we accept your insurance.
What methods of payment may I use to pay my bill?
Alchemy accepts Visa, MasterCard, Cash, Check and can bill most insurance providers.
Your First Appointment
In order to ensure prompt treatment, please remember to bring the following information and
documents with you at the time of your visit.
- Your physician prescription and/or referral (don’t forget to ask your doctor for a Doctor’s Note!)
- Your insurance identification information
- A family member or friend. Bringing another person can be helpful to you. They can help you
remember instructions and may ask questions that you did not think to ask. - In the case of a minor needing our services, both the minor and their guardian should come to
the appointment.
Payment and Insurance
Alchemy is a provider of services for most insurance carriers, including Medicare, Medicaid and
TRICARE. Please contact us if you are in doubt about whether we accept your insurance.
Insurance Provider List
Alchemy is a provider of services for most insurance carriers, including Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE
and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Please contact us if you are in doubt about whether we accept your
insurance.
A consult or an evaluation will be needed to determine your needs. After our professionals assess you,
your insurance company will be contacted to determine your level of coverage.
FAQ
What are orthotics and prosthetics?
Orthotic devices are braces or other appliances designed to immobilize portions of the body to facilitate recovery and healing. They may be custom-made from casts or prefabricated. Prosthetic devices are artificial limbs and their accessories.
Are appointments required?
Yes, we ask that you make an appointment so that we can match you with practitioner who specializes in treating the reason for your visit. You’ll need a referral AND if possible, a Doctor’s Note you’re your physician.
Who is responsible for the fees for my visit?
Most patients are covered in part or in full by their insurance. Prior to your first appointment, we will verify your coverage and notify you of any portion you may be responsible for (including co-pays and deductibles). Remember, too, that insurance reimbursement is never a sure thing until the payments are received. Therefore, the amount you are responsible for will be reassessed once the insurance claim(s) have been paid. Because every patient’s policy is different, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the terms of your policy. If you have questions about coverage, you may want to phone your insurance company and ask a representative.
Do you accept Medicare and Public Aid (Medicaid)?
Alchemy accepts both Medicare and Medicaid. Please be aware, however, that Medicare and Medicaid sometimes do not cover all orthotic and prosthetic devices. If you have Medicaid or Medicare, we ask that you please call them to verify your dates of coverage.
Who files the insurance claim?
Because of the complexities of insurance reimbursement, most of our patients prefer for Alchemy’s billing experts to file insurance claims on their behalf.
What should I bring to my appointment?
When you schedule your appointment over the phone, the scheduler will ask you to bring your insurance card(s), your driver’s license (or other photo identification), your prescription and/or referral, and, if payments will be collected, some means of paying for them (cash, check, VISA or Mastercard). Please arrive for your appointment a few minutes early, to allow time for completing a patient information sheet, which asks for such information as name, address, phone number, and social security number. If your visit is for a repair or adjustment, don’t forget to bring your device.
What is the turnaround time for my device?
All our products are custom made. Depending on the complexity of the orthotic or prosthetic device, it could be made in house and be done very quickly. If you require a hybrid-type device it could take up to 4 weeks. Ask us for more details during your appointment.
What is your policy for adjustments and/or repairs?
All of our devices are adjusted free of charge. If you break your device and we determine that you need a replacement, charges may apply. Our commitment to the patient does not end when we deliver a brace or artificial leg. We are dedicated to facilitating every aspect of the patient encounter, from the first telephone call to the completion of the treatment program.
What is a certifited prosthetist/orthotist?
A Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO) is an allied health professional who is specifically trained and educated to provide or manage the provision of custom-designed, fabricated, modified and fitted external orthoses (braces) to orthotic patients. The selection of the orthosis is based on clinical assessment and the physician’s prescription, in order to restore physiological function. Orthotists have been fitting braces including cranial helmets for over 100 years in the United States.
What is a certifited pedorthist?
A Certified Pedorthist (C.Ped) is a health care professional who is specifically educated and trained to manage comprehensive pedorthic patient care. This includes patient assessment, formulation of a treatment plan, implementation of the treatment plan, follow-up and practice management. A certified pedorthist fits, fabricates, adjusts, or modifies devices which reflect his/her education and training. The profession of pedorthics is the provision of patient care and services by or under the direction and supervision of a certified pedorthist to provide the application of a pedorthic device for the prevention or amelioration of painful and/or disabling conditions of the foot and ankle. A prescription is required for any pedorthic device, modification, and/ or prefabricated below the knee orthosis addressing a medical condition that originates at the ankle or below.
What type of special training does a certified orthotist/prosthetist receive?
A certified orthotist goes through extensive training to learn how to evaluate, cast, fabricate and fit orthoses (braces). There are only a handful of universities in the United States that have programs for the field of orthotics and these programs must meet stringent criteria set by the American Board for Certification. Once an orthotist finishes the formal educational portion of training, he or she begins a residency program under the supervision of a certified practitioner to gain practical experience. A year’s experience and references are required before the resident can submit an application to take both a written and a practical examination. When a resident passes the exam he can use the credentials of C.O. (certified orthotist).