Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates
Contents

Our Web Pages
Home
LDDA
SPEC

Patient Resources

Diets


Physicians
W.C. Williams
Ted L. Phipps
Kelly P. Kensing
Steven C. Block
Boyd Fenton
Usha Ganga
Miled Jabor

Links
American College of
Gastroenterology

American College of
Physicians

American
Gastroenterological
Association

American Medical
Association

American Society of
Gastrointestinal
Endoscopy

Lubbock Crosby Garza
Medical Society

Texas Medical
Association

Texas Society for
Gastroenterology and
Endoscopy

GASTROENTEROLOGY
     Gastroenterology is the specialty of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the digestive system. This includes the esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, rectum, liver, and pancreas. Lubbock Digestive Disease Associates (LDDA) is a group of physicians who specialize in and limit their practice to gastroenterology.

OFFICE HOURS
     Regular office hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

CLINIC APPOINTMENTS
     Of necessity, we must work by appointment. Clinic appointments are seen at our LDDA office and may be made by calling (806) 793-3141, Option 1, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.  A Regional clinic is held in Levelland. Appointments for this clinic may be made by calling the above number as well. Every effort is made to keep to the office schedule. However, some appointments may take longer than anticipated. If we are seriously delayed, we will try to notify you beforehand. Please assist us by being on time for your appointment. We ask your patience if you have to wait; we know your time is valuable.

CANCELLATION OF APPOINTMENTS
     If you cannot keep an appointment, please try to inform us as soon as possible. This courtesy makes it possible to give the time to another patient. To cancel your office visit, please call (806) 793-3141, Option 1.

EMERGENCY CARE
     If you have an urgent problem during regular office hours, please call the office for instructions (806) 793-3141, Option 0. You may be instructed to come to the office or go to the Emergency Room. If you have an urgent problem after 5:00 pm and weekends, you may call the office number (806) 793-3141, Option 6. The answering service will take your number, locate your doctor or the doctor on call, and he/she will return your call as soon as possible. One of our 8 physicians is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
     In a true emergency, it is best to go to the Emergency Department of the nearest hospital where the physician on duty will begin treatment and call your doctor.

HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES
     LDDA maintains hospital privileges at Covenant Health System in Lubbock. Hospital consultations are arranged through the primary physician. Emergency Room visits are made at Covenant at night and on weekends. Patients in out-of-town hospitals may be accepted in transfer as well. Rounds are made daily, although the physicians of LDDA rotate call and weekend duty. If your physician is not available when you are hospitalized, he/she will resume your care when he/she returns.

FEES
     Charges for office visits are determined by the time spent and vary with the severity or complexity of the underlying problem. In general, the fees charged in the office are comparable with those charged by other specialists in this area. The fees for office visits are available by telephone request. Please do not hesitate to discuss our fees if you have any questions.

INSURANCE
     LDDA physicians accept assignment on Medicare patients. The individual is responsible for co-payments and deductibles. We also participate in a number of managed care contracts. Please inform the receptionist if you are covered by one of these programs. There is a list of insurance providers at the window when you check in for your appointment. For your convenience and ours, please have your insurance card ready at the time of your visit.
     Payment is expected at the time of the office visit for both new and follow-up patients. We will file your insurance claims for all office visits. As an added courtesy, we will also file your secondary or supplemental insurance claims.

PATIENT INFORMATION
     Medical records are maintained in a confidential manner. Information regarding your diagnosis, medications, test results, and other necessary items will be made available to your referring physician. Worker's compensation, insurance, disability, rehabilitation, and others can obtain information only with a signed release from the patient. Hospital records and records from other physicians or labs may be helpful to your LDDA physician. You may be asked to sign a release so that we may obtain these records.

TELEPHONE CALLS
     The doctor-patient relationship is a private one. For this reason, we do not provide information to others about our patients without their prior consent. We receive a large number of calls everyday and it is impossible for the doctor to personally talk to each patient. If you have questions regarding fees or billing, please call (806) 793-3141, Option 4, and your call will be directed accordingly. If you have questions regarding your medical problems, please call (806) 793-3141, Option 3, and your call will be directed to a nurse who will speak with you or return your call as soon as possible after you leave your detailed message.
     Calls regarding medications or refills should be made during regular office hours so that your chart may be reviewed. Please have the name, dosage, and schedule of your medication, as well as the pharmacy telephone number on hand when you call. Our staff will do their best to provide your prescription or refill in a timely manner.

OUR LOCATION
     Our office is located in a free standing handicap accessible building on the corner of 24th and Louisville. Free, convenient parking is available.