Embarking on your journey to better heart health begins with your first appointment at Legacy Heart Plano Doctors. We understand that visiting a cardiologist can feel overwhelming, and we are committed to making your experience as comfortable and informative as possible. Our team of expert cardiologists in Plano, Texas, provides comprehensive and cutting-edge cardiac care. This guide outlines what you can anticipate during your initial consultation, ensuring you are fully prepared for your visit and can make the most of your time with our specialists. Please plan for approximately 1.5 hours for your first appointment, allowing ample time for a thorough evaluation of your cardiovascular health and personalized recommendations.
Scheduling and Cancellation Policy
We value your time and strive to accommodate your scheduling needs. Should you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment with Legacy Heart Plano Doctors, we kindly request a 24-hour notice. This allows us to offer the appointment slot to another patient in need of cardiac care. Cancellations made without 24-hour notice may be subject to a cancellation fee, which is typically not covered by insurance providers. To cancel or reschedule, please contact our dedicated Scheduling Department at 469.800.6477 as soon as possible. Your cooperation helps us ensure efficient and timely access to care for all our patients seeking expert heart doctors in Plano.
Medical Records: Ensuring Your Doctor is Prepared
To provide you with the most effective and informed care, it is crucial that our Legacy Heart Plano Doctors have access to your relevant medical history. If your primary care physician or another specialist has referred you to our center, they will ideally forward your records to us directly. However, it is always prudent to confirm that your records have been sent and received prior to your appointment. If you are self-referring, please proactively contact your previous healthcare providers and arrange for your medical records to be sent to our office. Having your medical records in advance allows our cardiologists to thoroughly review your case and prepare for a more productive consultation. Please verify with your physician’s office or our office a few days before your scheduled visit to ensure we have received all necessary documentation.
What to Bring: Insurance, ID, and Medications
To streamline your check-in process and ensure accurate billing, please remember to bring the following items to your first appointment with Legacy Heart Plano Doctors:
- Insurance Card: Please bring your current insurance card. We will verify your insurance coverage prior to your appointment to help you understand your benefits and any potential out-of-pocket costs.
- Driver’s License or Photo ID: A valid photo ID is required for patient identification and security purposes.
- Medications: It is essential for our cardiologists to have a complete and accurate list of all medications you are currently taking. Please bring all your medications in their original containers. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Bringing the original containers helps ensure accuracy in dosage and medication names. Understanding your complete medication regimen is vital for preventing potential drug interactions and providing you with the safest and most effective cardiac care.
New Patient Forms: Streamlining Your Check-in
To expedite your check-in process and allow our Legacy Heart Plano Doctors to better understand your health history, we require all new patients to complete a New Patient Questionnaire and other necessary forms. We strongly encourage you to complete the New Patient Questionnaire online after scheduling your appointment. This secure online form allows you to conveniently provide your health information in advance. In addition to the online questionnaire, there may be other forms to print and complete prior to your visit. Completing these forms in advance will significantly reduce your wait time at check-in and allow you to focus on your consultation with our cardiology experts. If you have any questions regarding the forms, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 469.800.6477 for assistance.
Your Examination: A Step-by-Step Guide
Once you have completed the check-in process, a dedicated medical assistant will escort you to an examination room to begin your cardiac evaluation. Here’s what you can typically expect during this phase of your appointment with Legacy Heart Plano Doctors:
- Initial Measurements: The medical assistant will measure your vital signs, including blood pressure and pulse.
- 12-Lead Electrocardiogram (EKG): An EKG is a non-invasive and painless test that records the electrical activity of your heart. To ensure accurate EKG results, please refrain from using body lotions or oils on the day of your appointment as they can interfere with the EKG electrodes. The EKG procedure typically takes about 5-10 minutes to complete.
- Medical History Review: The medical assistant will gather a comprehensive medical history. This will include details about your current medications, allergies, past illnesses, injuries, surgeries, and hospitalizations.
- Family Health History: Understanding your family health history, particularly concerning cardiovascular conditions, is crucial for assessing your risk factors. You will be asked about any hereditary conditions that may be relevant to your heart health.
- Social History: To gain a holistic understanding of your health, you may be asked about your marital status, employment, and lifestyle factors such as tobacco, alcohol, or drug use. Preparing a written summary of your medical history, including dates of significant medical events, can be very helpful during this part of your appointment.
Following the medical assistant’s assessment, one of our experienced Legacy Heart Plano Doctors will meet with you. The cardiologist will review your medical history, the information gathered by the medical assistant, and conduct a physical examination. After the examination, your cardiologist will discuss their findings with you in detail, explain any potential concerns, and recommend further diagnostic testing or develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. This is an excellent opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your heart health, the findings, or the recommended next steps. In some instances, you may be seen by a certified Physician Assistant (PA) who is specially trained in cardiovascular care and works closely under the supervision of our physicians. In such cases, your visit will be thoroughly reviewed by your supervising cardiologist.
After Your First Appointment
Following your consultation with Legacy Heart Plano Doctors, our office will ensure seamless communication and coordination of care. We will forward all relevant cardiac records, test results, and treatment recommendations to your referring physician, ensuring continuity of your healthcare. In some cases, depending on the initial assessment, we may schedule a follow-up appointment for additional diagnostic tests. Legacy Heart Plano Doctors are equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced diagnostic testing and procedural options right here on-site. This allows us to efficiently and effectively diagnose and address cardiac issues, often well in advance of any serious cardiac events.
For any questions arising after your first visit, please do not hesitate to contact your cardiologist’s nurse directly at 469.800.6300. Please be aware that calls received after 4:00 PM will typically be returned the following business day. We are committed to responding to your inquiries in a timely manner and providing ongoing support for your heart health journey with Legacy Heart Plano Doctors.
Requesting Medical Records
For patients needing to request copies of their medical records from Baylor Scott & White Health, including Legacy Heart Plano Doctors, we have partnered with HealthMark Group to streamline this process. HealthMark Group efficiently manages all medical record requests. Patients can obtain a complimentary electronic copy of their records through HealthMark Group’s secure website: www.medrelease.com/360. Please allow 3-5 business days for processing your request. First-time users will need to register for an account on the HealthMark Group website before accessing their records. If you require paper copies of your records, a fee to cover delivery costs will apply and must be paid before the records are shipped. To check the status of your medical record request, please contact HealthMark Group directly at 800.659.4035 or via email at [email protected].
Prescription Refills
For prescription refills, we ask that you first contact your pharmacy directly. Your pharmacy will then communicate with Legacy Heart Plano Doctors to obtain the necessary authorization. To ensure timely refills, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Request Refills in Advance: Please do not wait until you have completely run out of medication before requesting a refill. Requesting refills with sufficient lead time prevents any interruption in your medication schedule.
- Allow 48 Hours for New Prescriptions: If you require a new prescription, please allow 48 hours from the time of your request for processing.
- Allow 5 Working Days for Mail-in Prescriptions: For prescriptions that need to be mailed, please allow 5 working days for delivery.
- Refill Processing Hours: Prescription refill requests are processed on working days between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM only.
- Annual Doctor Visits for Refills: To ensure your ongoing health and medication management, an annual visit with your Legacy Heart Plano Doctors is required to maintain prescription refills. Regular check-ups are essential for monitoring your heart health and adjusting your treatment plan as needed.
