Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


Patient Services - Patient Information

Welcome! Thank you for choosing SETMA to provide your primary healthcare needs. We look forward to serving you for many years to come. May we suggest several things you can do that will help us serve you better.

  • Always check in with the receptionist—even if you have only come in for lab work, a blood pressure check, or injection.
  • Your current insurance card should be presented to the receptionist when you check in for your appointment on every visit. A photo l.D. (driver's license, military l.D., etc.) will also requested for identification purposes.
  • When discussing your medical needs with our staff, be as specific and descriptive as possible about your condition. Information regarding time of onset, number of episodes, temperature readings, swelling, drainage, color, etc. are very important to proper diagnosis.
  • Bring your medications with you when you see the doctor. The names of the medications, dosages, and how often you take them will help the doctor determine the best course of treatment for you.
  • It is a good policy to always get the name of the person to whom you are speaking for future reference.
  • When requesting written prescriptions for routine medications, please allow 48 hours for authorization. Please provide the following information:

    1. the exact name of the drug
    2. the dosage
    3. the frequency - how often you take it
    4. the number of refills needed
      • Example: Synthroid 0.05 Mg, take by mouth one time daily, refill X 3 months.
Don’t forget our Online Patient Services. You can request a prescription refill, an appointment, a referral, inquire about your billing or pay your bill online with a credit card!

All office fees, co-payments, and deductibles are paid when patient checks-in.

We do not wish to cause embarrassment or hardship for any patient. Please let us know immediately if you have a financial question or problem.
  • No insurance covers "everything" or "100%." There are always limitations and exclusions to coverage. There are out-of-pocket costs for all patients.
  • Even with two or more insurance plans there may be amounts or services not covered and for which the patient is directly responsible.
  • All insurance has patient cost-sharing requirements. They are called deductibles and co-payments.
  • Many insurance plans designate 80% coverage. Remember, the 80% is on an amount set by the insurance plan. This set amount is usually lower than our current fee. This is a common coverage limitation. The patient portion of payment will be whatever insurance does not cover.
  • "Assignment" simply means the patient requests insurance payment be made directly to the physician. This is not payment in full. The patient is responsible for the designated balance.
The partnership between the patient and the healthcare provider is essential to providing you with the best medical care possible.

Thank you for committing your care to us.