Dr. Hazenfield -- Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor in Hawaii

Office Policies

Hugh N. Hazenfield, M.D., F.A.C.S.

•   APPOINTMENTS: 

I always schedule your appointments so that my scheduled surgery will not conflict with them.  On occasion I have emergency surgery, in which case the staff will make every effort to contact you before you leave your office or home if the emergency might conflict with your appointment.  Although I attempt to remain on schedule, patients and their families sometimes require more time than foreseen for comforting, counseling, for a complete explanation, or for an unexpected emergency procedure.  That can place me behind schedule, for which I apologize.  I assure you that I shall give you the same attention and consideration.

•   CANCELLATION POLICY:

If you must cancel your appointment, please call the office at least 24 hours in advance so that other patients may be scheduled.  Often, we do not have appointments available when patients request them.  If you do not keep your appointment, another patient was inconvenienced.  Broken appointments without the patient, parent, guardian, or care-giver calling at least twenty-four hours in advance are subject to a broken appointment fee.

•   FEES:

My professional fees are based on the complexity and length of training required to treat ear, nose and throat conditions and on the cost of the equipment necessary for a complete evaluation.  I believe that my fees are fair.  If you have a question about them, please do not hesitate to discuss them with the office staff or with me.

•   PAYMENT OF FEES:

If your insurance covers outpatient visits, we expect you to pay your estimated portion of the fees for the visit and any procedures at the time of your visit.  If your visit is not covered by insurance, consultation and procedure fees are payable at the time of the visit unless you have made other arrangements in advance.  We accept cash, checks, and credit cards.

•   PHONE CALLS and PRESCRIPTION REFILLS:

• Except in emergencies (in which case we respond immediately if I am not in surgery), a knowledgeable staff member or I attempt to return all telephone calls the same day, which will usually be after 6:00 P.M. 

• We call patients regarding test results usually on the day the results are received in my office. 

• If you have Caller ID, please disable it so that I can reach you from my private line. 

• Call for routine prescription refills during regular office hours at least three working days before the refill is required.  For your safety, I cannot call to refill your routine prescriptions off-hours and without your medical record.

•   PATIENT PRIVACY:

The federal government mandated privacy rules through the Health Information and Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).  The office staff and I do everything possible to protect your privacy.  I am in compliance with the federal HIPAA privacy regulations, which became effective April 14, 2003.  My billing is also HIPAA compliant, which was required in October, 2003.  You may see and print a PDF file of my policy by clicking here: 

HIPAA Privacy Policy

I do not release any of your medical or personal information without your permission to anyone other than those individuals or health care institutions providing concurrent medical care. 

In order to provide you with the best medical care, I am authorized to release your information to the following only if they are providing concurrent care:  physicians, allied health care professionals (including but not limited to nurses, audiologists, speech pathologists, and social workers), and health care institutions such as hospitals. 

Unless you pay the professional fees yourself, I am required to provide all of your medical and personal information to your insurance company.  I am also required to release your personal information without your notification to tumor registries, governmental agencies, or courts of law when requested. 

Unless you provide written permission naming specific individuals, I cannot and will not discuss your medical information with your family members (including spouses, parents, or children), friends, or others not listed above.  If you want me to discuss your medical status or care with anyone other than yourself, please notify the staff, and they will have you sign the appropriate release of information form.