Patients
Schedule An Appointment
What To Expect
On Your First Visit
- Plan to arrive approximately 30 minutes before your appointment time to fill out the New Patient Paperwork (or bring it with you if completed online)
- After filling out new patient paperwork, most patients will undergo standing x-rays in our office. These are important to rule in or rule out certain conditions which may be causing pain in your feet or to establish a baseline for comparison in the event of future injury. Â
- Next, the medical assistant will take you to an exam room to ask you additional questions about your health history and foot problems before you see the physician.Â
- After reviewing your condition(s) with the physician and possible treatment options, some treatment may begin right away. For example, conditions such as ingrown toenails might be addressed with a procedure on that first visit. Arthritic conditions or plantar fasciitis might receive a steroid injection or orthotics. Initiation of different treatment protocols depends on the condition at presentation and the treatment options you choose.Â
FAQ
What type of screening can I expect because of COVID-19?
- Upon arrival, someone at the front desk will ask you a series of questions regarding your risk factors and compliance with travel restrictions or social distancing. You may also get a call with these questions before your visit.
- Temperature checks will be performed before you can come into the office.
- If you have been out of the state or have any symptoms, please reschedule for at least two weeks later or schedule for a telehealth (virtual) visit instead.
What do I need to bring to my first visit?
- Identification (driver’s license)
- Insurance cards
- List of medications, allergies, and medical history
- The shoes you wear the most, especially athletic shoes and any shoe inserts you have.
- Referrals and previous medical records (if applicable)
- Disk of x-rays or other imaging taken elsewhere (if applicable)
- For any kind of injury, bring also any fracture boots, surgical shoes, braces, or crutches you already have.Â
Do I need a referral to see one of Rio Grande's specialists?
- Usually no – the need for a referral is dependent on your insurance carrier or by other payers like the Veteran’s Administration Choice Program or Indian Health Services. Â
- The VA and IHS usually require pre-authorization for your visit, so you may need a referral to start that process.Â
- If you’re not sure – call our office and our Insurance Specialist will help you find out what you need.Â
Do you offer virtual visits?
- Yes! Most insurance carriers are covering virtual visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, even for new patients.Â
- You will need a computer or phone with a camera and a reliable internet connection.
- If you are scheduled for a virtual visit, go to https://doxy.me/drdeithloff a few minutes before your appointment time. Follow the prompts to “check-in” to our virtual waiting room.Â
- If you need an appointment, call the office at 505-395-9575 and ask to schedule a virtual visit. For best results, please provide an email address to which we can send you the link for your visit.Â
How much does it cost to see a specialist?
- This varies by your insurance coverage, but once we have all your insurance information, our Insurance Specialist will find out how much common in-office procedures and visits will cost before you even arrive for your appointment, so you won’t be surprised when you get a bill.Â
- Co-pay for specialty offices, like ours, may be different than the co-pay to see your primary doctor – check with your insurance carrier or ask our Insurance Specialist for more details. The co-pay is due at the time of service.Â
- See “Simplified General Benefits” for more information.Â
- No insurance? No problem! We also offer cash pay services for those without insurance.Â
Do I need an appointment to buy your over-the-counter products?
- No, you don’t need an appointment if you already know what you want or need. However, if you’d like for one of our medical assistants to assist you, you can skip the doctor’s visit and just schedule with them!
Which products do you sell over-the-counter?
- Powerstep orthotics/inserts
- Bunion guards
- Toe spacers
- Toe sleeves
- Budin splints
- Crest pads
- Felt offloading pads
- and more!
What do I do if I am having a foot emergency?
If you leave a message for the on-call doctors, please include your name, birthdate, and a return phone number for us to call.
Do you offer any payment plans if I am paying out of pocket?
Who do I need to talk to about a bill?
If there are still concerns after you speak with them, they will coordinate the charges with your provider until it gets straightened out.
To pay your bill, you can also click on this link (it’s the same one as you should see on your statement): https://patient.inboxhealth.com/guestLogin?enterpriseId=1825
How do I cancel an appointment?
Alternatively, if providing at least 2 business days notice, you can also email us at [email protected].
As a courtesy to our staff and to other patients trying to schedule an appointment, we request a 24-hour notice for any cancelations and failure to do so may result in a cancellation fee.
Is my insurance going to cover the services?
We don’t want you to have any surprises when it comes to your bill. Just ask!
See also “How much does it cost to see a specialist?”
Do you offer nail care services?
Nail and callus care services are covered by most insurance plans if you have diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or other qualifying systemic disease AND a lack of sensation or blood flow in your feet. At your visit, we can assess your risk factors. We perform this “at risk care” to prevent infections or amputations.
If you don’t qualify for nail care, but would still like our help, we also offer a “medical pedicure” option for $50. This is a cash pay service not covered by insurance.
Does insurance cover over-the-counter products?
How can I get a copy of my x rays?
If you had your x-rays taken elsewhere, please contact the medical records department where you obtained x-rays and bring a disk with you to your appointment. We’ll usually save the images and then return your disk to you.
Insurance Coverage
Below is a sample list of insurances Rio Grande accepts
Simplified General Benefits
At Rio Grande Foot & Ankle specialists, we do our best to verify the following insurance information:
AUTHORIZATION
IF REQUIRED, OUR OFFICE WILL OBTAIN AUTHORIZATION FOR THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE.
(IF YOU ARE AWARE THAT AUTHORIZATION IS REQUIRED PLEASE LET OUR STAFF KNOW SO THAT WE CAN OBTAIN AUTHORIZATION)
BENEFITS
CO-PAY
CO-PAYS ARE DUE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE (EACH DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT)
CO-INSURANCE
CO-INSURANCE IS A FIXED PERCENTAGE THE INSURANCE WILL PAY AFTER YOUR DEDUCTIBLE IS MET. WE CAN GIVEN YOU AN IDEA OF THE PRICE OF COINSURANCE DURING YOUR VISIT; JUST ASK!
DEDUCTIBLE
DEDUCTIBLE IS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES COVERED UNDER YOUR INSURANCE PLAN BEFORE YOUR PLAN BEGINS TO PAY BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE EXPENSES
OUT OF POCKET
OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES REFER TO THE PORTION OF THE BILL THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY DOESN’T COVER AND THAT THE INDIVIDUAL MUST PAY ON THEIR OWN.
WHEN YOUR OUT OF POCKET IS MET, THE INSURANCE WILL PAY A FIXED PERCENTAGE, UP TO 100%, DEPENDING ON YOUR PLAN.
DISCLAIMER
BENEFIT INFORMATION IS GATHERED BY CONTACTING YOUR INSURANCE VIA PHONE, FAX OR WEBSITE. (THE INFORMATION LISTED MAY NOT BE CORRECT BASED ON UNPROCESSED CLAIMS, WRONG INFORMATION OR INACCURATE RECORDS PROVIDED).