All new prescriptions are given to the patient at the time of the appointment, or faxed to the pharmacy of your choice. If you need a refill on your prescription, please call the office during regular business hours (8-5) Monday through Friday.

715-847-2382 or toll free at 877-260-6755

It is OAW’s general policy not to refill lost or stolen prescriptions for narcotics or fill requests for these medications made after regular business hours.

To facilitate handling your refill request efficiently, please provide the following information:

  • Your full name
  • The name(s) of the medication(s) you need refilled (including strength)
  • The name and number of the pharmacy you use
  • A number where you can be reached

We will contact you to inform you if your prescription will not be called in or if we have further questions regarding your condition. It may take up to 24 hours to process your refill request.

Certain prescriptions are available by written refills only and will require you to pick up the prescription from our office. We will notify you if this is the case with your request. At times, a refill may not be given if we have not seen the patient recently (usually 12 months), therefore, you may be asked to make an appointment prior to receiving your refill.

  • Narcotics will only be prescribed for a period up to two to three weeks after a surgical procedure. There are, of course, the occasional exceptions to the rule. We may need to see you to reevaluate your condition prior to renewing your prescription.
  • If you are on chronic narcotics from a pain management physician, you will need to receive your post-operative pain medicine from that physician, unless pre-arranged with us prior to your surgery.

Orthopaedic Associates of Wausau, SC. has a dedicated Triage nurse to assist the physicians in providing telephone assistance for our patients. Your telephone message will be referred to the Triage nurse. She will review your chart, discuss your question or concern with your doctor and respond to your call as soon as possible. Please remember that your doctor may be in surgery on the day you call and it may take some time for the nurse to talk to him between cases. We will make every effort to return your call the same day. Of course all emergent calls are addressed as soon as possible.

It is the policy of Orthopaedic Associates of Wausau, SC. to complete these forms for our patients. It can take 5-7 business days for completion of the form and routing to the doctor for review and his signature. Because of the time it takes staff to process these forms, please be aware there is a fee.

There is a $20 fee for each form (disability, hunters, etc) that is not directly related to reimbursement of medical services. The fee must be paid before the form will be completed. For compliance purposes, the patient information portion of the form must be completed and signed before it is submitted. It can take 7-14 days for the forms to be completed.

Workers comp final reports (WC-16B forms) are completed for a $25 fee

A physician is on call 24/7 to handle any emergencies. If you are hurt or have a problem that requires emergency care after hours, calling our telephone number (715-847-2382 or 877-260-6755 toll free) will connect you with our answering service. Your message will be routed to the on-call physician immediately. If you call during regular business hours, we will make every attempt to reach your regular physician.

If you feel that the emergency is serious or life threatening, go directly to the Emergency Department or call 911.

Ask the admitting personnel to contact Orthopaedic Associates of Wausau for the physician on –call when you arrive at the emergency room.

If you need a surgical procedure, your doctor and his clinical team will assist you in obtaining any pre-authorization information from your insurance carrier. We will also make every attempt to contact your carrier, however you need to remember that the insurance contract is between you and your insurance carrier and is ultimately your responsibility.

If you have no insurance, a high deductible health plan or a plan with a large co-pay amount, you may be required to make a down payment prior to the surgical procedure. Our billing department will work with you and assist you in setting up a payment plan.

The global surgical package, also called global surgery which is billed as package consists of:

1.Pre-operative consultant with a doctor or his assistant (one visit before surgery)

2.Intra- operative consultant part (Surgery)

3.Post-operative consultant part (Post-operative period follow – up care)

For minor procedure’s there can be a 10 day global period. (This might include manipulation, debridement (cleaning on wound), Laceration and more)

For major procedures there can be a 90 day global period. (This might include Total Hip replacement, Total Knee replacement, carpal tunnel release and more.)

Which both global periods are determined by CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) which is published by the American Medical Association.

The things that are not included in the global package are:

1.Initial consultation or evaluation of the problem by the surgeon.

2.Visits unrelated to the diagnosis for which the surgical procedure was performed.

3.Treatment for the underlying condition or added course of treatment which is not part of normal recovery from surgery.

4.Diagnostic tests and procedures, for example X-rays taken during the global period will be billed.

5.Clear distinct surgical procedures that occur during the post-operative period which are not reoperations or treatment for the complications.

6.Casting/ cast supplies

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact the billing department at 715-847-2382 or toll free at 877-260-6755

Cancellations should be made at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. We understand that emergencies come up – please let us know as soon as possible if you will be unable to keep your scheduled appointment so that the time can be given to another patient.

If you cancel or fail to show for three (3) consecutive appointments, we reserve the right not to re-schedule your appointment

We believe that the fees charged by Surgical Associates of Wisconsin are usual and are comparable with those charged by other surgical offices in the area.

We will be happy to submit your insurance claim to your carrier for you. Please make certain that we have the most current insurance information and notify us as soon as possible if your insurance changes.

We participate with most insurance plans in the area; however it is the patient’s responsibility to ensure physician participation in their health plan before scheduling an appointment. We will be happy to assist you with this process.

If you have a co-payment, your insurance carrier requires that you pay all co-pays at the time of your appointment. Those patients with high deductible health plans may be asked for a portion of their deductible at the time of their appointment as well before surgery.Our office will send out a surgery estimate showing your responsibility due.Statements are mailed monthly; payment is expected within 30 days. The Surgical Associates of Wisconsin Business Office Staff are happy to assist you with any questions regarding the financial policy. They can be reached Monday through Friday from 8-5 at 715-847-2382 or 877-260-6755 toll free.

We do not participate with Managed Health Services and Network Health Services. Community Care is an option offered by Aspirus Hospital and clinics. As an independent organization, OAW does not qualify to participate in this program.

We currently have participation agreements with the following insurance carriers:

  • Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS)
  • Indemnity Plans
  • PPO/ Statewide
  • Focus Network
  • Arise
  • Security Health Plan
  • Security Health Plan Medical Assistance
  • North Central Healthcare Alliance (NCHA)
  • PPO
  • ANI Limited Panel
  • Medicare

Anthem BCBS

  • Blue Access
  • Blue Preferred
  • Blue Priority Plus

United Health Care

Health EOS (AHC/WPPN)

Wisconsin Education Association (WEA)

  • Fed (GHP/MCP)
  • Standard
  • POS
  • Trust Preferred

Humana

  • Choice Care

CIGNA

Interplan Health Group (IHG)

  • Accountable Health Plan

HealthPartners

Direct Agreements with:

  • Direct - Aspirus (UMR)
  • Direct - Bone & Joint Clinic
  • Direct - FC Potawatomi
  • Direct - Kocourek
  • Direct - Mid WI Beverage
  • Direct - North Central Health Care (UMR)
  • Direct - Sokaogon Chippewa Community

Self Pay Policy

Self-Pay Policy

Understanding Your Bill

Understanding Your Bill

Contact Billing Office

Contact The OAW Billing Office

Billing FAQ's