Welcome To Our Practice
Appointments
Appointments can be made or changed through our office at 314-336-2555. We would appreciate a telephone call or email if you are going to be running late or if you have to cancel appointments. In rare circumstances, we have had patients who no-show repetitively for appointments. Unfortunately, we have had to stop making appointments for them and refer them to another practice. Dr. Krause does his best to stay on time for patient appointments. However, we are an orthopedic practice that sees emergency patients. This may cause unforeseen delays. We will try to keep you updated on whether Dr. Krause is running on time. You are welcome to reschedule your appointment if Dr. Krause is running late and you cannot wait due to other responsibilities. Dr. Krause encourages his patients to bring reading materials/work to do while waiting. We have wireless internet access available in our waiting room and you will have computer access to the internet while waiting in each exam room.
X-rays/Imaging
Dr. Krause requires x-rays to be obtained on most of his new patients. Please bring all previously taken X-rays/MRI/CT films to your appointment. If you are bringing x-rays from an outside facility, please have the images put on a CD, if possible, and include the written report. You may be required to have new x-rays taken at your office visit. If an MRI is required to diagnose your condition, our office normally schedules MRIs at Imaging Partners of Missouri, which is located on the main level of our building. This facility has a high resolution MRI scanner, allowing MRI images to be delivered to Dr. Krause electronically, and the radiologist will first call Dr. Krause with immediate results, if necessary. We will attempt to schedule your MRI & follow up appointments so that you can get your MRI and then immediately come to our office to review the results with Dr. Krause. As always, you have freedom of choice as you select your provider, as long as you use a closed scanner with high resolution.
Narcotic Policy
Dr. Krause has a very strict policy regarding narcotics. It is his policy that patients will receive prescription narcotics only when they are in the immediate post-operative period or have an acute traumatic injury. You should only require narcotics for a limited period of time. Every effort will be made to switch you over to a non-narcotic pain medication as soon as your pain level permits. If you require long term narcotic use or narcotic use for chronic, non-traumatic conditions, you will be referred to your primary care provider or a pain management physician for pain management.
If you are prescribed a narcotic pain medication you must:
- Only use one pharmacy for these prescriptions. If you feel you have good reason to change pharmacies, you must notify us in advance.
- Only receive your narcotic pain medicine from one physician.
- It is your responsibility to call your pharmacy for refill requests in a timely manner. Dr. Krause is not in the office every day. Therefore, if you require a refill on your prescriptions by a certain day, please make sure your pharmacy faxes a request before noon. Refill requests will not be addressed on weekends or after hours or after 12pm, on Friday. We regret that we cannot make exceptions to this policy.
- We ask you to inform us of your present medications. Please tell us of any new medications that you have received from other physicians at each appointment.
Medical Records/Disability Forms
If you need your patient information for any reason, please contact our office at 314-336-2555 and ask for the medical records department (Option 4). This department is also responsible for filling out all disability and FMLA paperwork. Most insurance plans do NOT cover this service and there may be additional charges..
Billing Issues
We are happy to bill your medical insurance for you. Please understand that our billing service is offered as a courtesy to you. It does not obligate us to wait indefinitely for payment by your carrier. Co-payments and any prior balance, including co-insurance and/or deductible are required to be paid before every visit. We reserve the right to reschedule your appointment if you are not prepared to pay your account balance. Prior to elective surgery, we will check with your insurance company to determine if authorization is required. It is your responsibility to also contact your insurance company to determine your coverage, check any pre-existing condition clauses, and your financial responsibility. You may be required to pay a portion of your financial responsibility prior to your elective surgery. Dr. Krause reserves the right to cancel surgery if your financial obligation has not been met.
If you have any billing questions please contact Deborah Channel, billing specialist at 314-336-2555 ext. 227
Litigated/Work Comp Issues
Our office cannot legally bill your private insurance if there is pending litigation of if there is a workman’s compensation claim. It is the responsibility of the patient/guarantor to disclose potential/impending litigation or potential workman’s compensation filing. Failure to do so constitutes insurance fraud with associated legal consequences. Please ask Dr. Krause or the staff if you have specific questions.
Workers Compensation Patients
Dr. Krause is very experienced in workman’s compensation injuries and the laws pertaining to work comp. He will help you to get you back to your activities and work as quickly as possible. After your examination, Dr Krause will advise you of any work restrictions due to your injury or condition. Our office is aware that the work restrictions may not necessarily be an option at your place of employment. Nevertheless we still must list the restrictions on your work status statement. Your employer will advise as to whether or not they can accommodate your restrictions. Please keep in mind that worker’s comp patients are not allowed to change or reschedule their own appointments without authorization from the case manager/adjuster. Therefore, all changes must go through their workers’ compensation case manager/adjuster.