FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is an Endocrinologist?

    Endocrinologists are specially trained physicians who diagnose and treat diseases related to the glands and hormones.  The diseases they are trained to treat often affect other parts of the body beyond glands. Because endocrinologist are specialized to treat hormonal diseases and conditions in depth, they are best suited to provide the best possible treatment available.

     

    Some of the more common conditions treated by an endocrinologist are:

    • Metabolic disorders
    • Hypertension
    • Cholesterol disorders
    • Over or under production of hormones

  • After I start seeing an endocrinologist, will I stop seeing my Primary Care Physician?

    An endocrinologist works together with your PCP.  Going to an endocrinologist gives you an extra opinion to ensure your health is as good as it can be.

     

    Our knowledge and understanding of hormonal diseases is constantly changing and an endocrinologist’s job is to know these changes and understand the newest treatments available to patients.  This way you’ll have access to the newest, most innovative treatment for your specific condition.

  • What do I need to send to Dr. Rodríguez’s office PRIOR to my first appointment?

    1. Referral, if required by your insurance company.  Please forward the referral via fax or email to info@endocrinologywellness.com at least 1 week prior to your appointment.  This way, you’ll be able to keep your appointment without any clerical delays.
    2. Most recent labs or radiology studies related to the endocrinology condition to be discussed during the visit.
    3. After you set-up an appointment with our receptionist, you can sign-up to our online patient portal or complete our new patient forms right here.  If completing the new patient forms on the fillable PDF forms, please email them to info@endocrinologywellness.com or print them and bring a hard copy to your appointment.

  • What do I need for my first appointment with Dr. Rodríguez?

    Please bring the following:

    1. Picture ID
    2. Insurance card
    3. Referral, if required by your insurance company.  Please forward the referral via fax or email to info@endocrinologywellness.com at least 1 week prior to your appointment.  This way, you’ll be able to keep your appointment without any clerical delays.
    4. If you are a diabetes patient, please bring your glucose meter and/or logbook. Please arrive a few minutes earlier to your appointment and give your meter/s to the receptionist upon check-in.  This way, we’ll ensure the receptionist or medical assistant will download the latest data from the meter and have it available for Dr. Rodríguez to review.
    5.  Arrive 15 min prior to appointment to complete new patient forms.  If you prefer to save time on the day of your appointment, you can complete these forms online and either email them to us to info@endocrinologywellness.com or print them and bring a hard copy with you to your appointment.

  • What should I bring to any follow up appointments?

    1. Lab results - On most occasions Dr. Rodríguez will order labs to be done 1-2 weeks prior to your follow up appointment.  If you have these done at the lab facility with the order provided by Dr. Rodríguez, she will receive the results and those will be discussed during your appointment.  If you had labs done at your PCP's office or using another lab order NOT given by Dr. Rodríguez, please bring those results to your appointment or please forward them via e-mail to info@endocrinologywellness.com prior to your appointment.
    2. If you are a diabetes patient, please always bring your glucose meter and/or logbook to all your appointments with Dr. Rodríguez.  Please give the meter to the receptionist when checking-in to download the most recent data into your records.
    3. New insurance card if has changed.

  • Do you have an appointment cancellation policy?

    The Endocrinology Wellness Institute has a 48-hour rescheduling/cancellation policy.

     

    If you miss, cancel or reschedule your appointment with less than 48-hours notice, you will be charged $25.

     

    It’s important to be able to tend to all our patients who need our care and attention.  Out of respect to our physician and our patients, by giving last minute notice or no notice at all, you prevent another patient to see the doctor during that time slot.

     

    We appreciate your cooperation.  Please avoid this cancellation fee.

  • Which insurance does Dr. Rodríguez accept?

    Dr. Rodríguez is currently accepting the following:

    • Aetna
    • AvMed Health Open Access
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield Traditional
    • BCBS Blue Options
    • BCBS Blue Medicare PPO
    • BCBS Advantage 65
    • Care Plus
    • Cigna  HMO
    • Cigna PPO
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Dimensions Health
    • Emblem Health (formerly GHI)
    • Humana
    • Medicare
    • Multi Plan PPO
    • Private Healthcare Systems
    • TriCare
    • United HealthCare Commercial

     

    If you do not see your insurance company among the above list, Dr. Rodríguez services can also be available as an out-of-network provider.   Please ask your insurance company for details on out-of-network billing and services.

     

    For patients without insurance, self-pay rates and payment plans are also available.  For detailed information, please contact our staff at 561-600-2408 or email us at info@endocrinologywellness.com.

  • Will Dr. Rodríguez still care for me and my diabetes if I get pregnant?

    Being a diabetes patient and a mom herself, Dr. Rodríguez is committed to provide special attention to all her diabetes patients who decide to have a baby.

     

    Most women with diabetes can have a safe pregnancy and delivery if they have tight blood sugar control before becoming pregnant.   An endocrinologist, as part of your pregnancy medical team, is the specialist best suited to help you keep a tight control of your blood sugar levels to ensure the health of your baby and yours too.

     

    With careful planning, proper medical care and good self-care, you can have a safe pregnancy and a healthy baby.

     

    Some women develop a temporary diabetes during their pregnancy, called gestational diabetes.  Women with gestational diabetes also need special care during their pregnancy.  Even if this type of diabetes is in most cases temporary, these moms and unborn babies could also benefit from visiting an endocrinologist to learn how to best manage their specific condition.

  • Do I need to bring my glucose meter to my appointments with Dr. Rodríguez?

    YES.  Please bring any or all glucose meters you currently use to all your appointments with Dr. Rodríguez.  Please arrive a few minutes earlier to your scheduled appointment and give your meter/s to the receptionist upon check-in.  This way, we’ll ensure the receptionist or medical assistant will download the latest data from the meter and have it available for Dr. Rodríguez review.

  • Can Dr. Rodríguez see patients under the age of 18?

    Unfortunately, no.

     

    However, if you’re close to turning 18 and have a endocrine condition currently being treated by a pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Rodríguez can certainly work with you, your parents and your current pediatric endocrinologist to develop a transition plan to ensure your continuity of care.

  • Which hospitals does Dr. Rodríguez have privileges?

    Dr. Rodríguez has hospital privileges at:

    • Bethesda Hospital East
    • Bethesda Hospital West
    • Delray Medical Center

  • Where do I call or go if I have an emergency?

    If your symptoms get worse, or if you have problems with your medications, call our office. After hours, if your question or issue can’t wait until the next business day, please leave us a message marked “urgent”. Messages for prescription refills, appointments and non-urgent matters will be answered by the next business day. If you have a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1. If you’re a patient of Dr. Rodríguez already and can direct yourself to an emergency room, please visit one of the hospitals where Dr. Rodríguez already has privileges: Bethesda Hospital East Bethesda Hospital West Delray Medical Center

  • Where can I answer my billing questions?

    If you have any billing questions, please call 772-494-2700.

  • What is a Telemedicine Video Call Appointment?

    A Telemedicine Video Call appointment is just like any other appointment at our offices, the only difference is Dr. Rodríguez will talk with you over a video call connection. Just like in any regular appointment at our offices, Dr. Rodríguez will review your most recent labs, most recent tests work-up, will review your latest glucose meter and insulin pump data. She will ask you about any changes, any symptoms, etc. She will then provide a recommendation on the current treatment or to modify anything. Dr. Rodríguez will then coordinate a future appointment with you – you decide if it should be a regular in-office visit or continue with another TVC appointment. Telemedicine Video Call (TVC) appointments are very convenient, but unfortunately they’re not currently covered by insurance. However, the cost for this innovative type of appointment is very affordable.

  • Who is eligible to schedule a Telemedicine Video Call Appointment?

    Telemedicine Video Call appointments are available for any type of patients – New Patients and Current Patients. Patients can schedule a traditional appointment in our offices or via Telemedicine Video Calls, it’s their choice. By scheduling a TVC appointment any patient can maintain their continuity of care without having to step into our office. Saving some time and gas… Telemedicine Video Call Appointments are convenient for many types of patients: Patients with a busy schedule, like frequent business travelers. Patients who live or work 30+ miles away from our offices Patients with frequent routine follow-up visits – Diabetes, Thyroid, Osteoporosis, Low T Young patients who are away to college Patients who live in FL only part time Patients who depend on others to bring them to their doctor appointments If you’re interested in scheduling a Telemedicine Video Call appointment, just call us at 561-600-2408 and our staff will give you more information about times available, costs, how to connect with Dr. Rodríguez the day of your appointment, forms of payment, etc. For any additional information on Telemedicine Video Calls, email us at info@endocrinologywellness.com.

  • With the availability of Telemedicine Video Calls, will Dr. Rodríguez stop seeing patients in her office in Delray Beach, FL?

    Dr. Rodríguez is now seeing patients in two ways - just as usual in her office in Delray Beach, FL or via Telemedicine Video Calls. Dr. Rodríguez has designated certain appointment slots to see patients using this new technology. The rest of the appointment times, Dr. Rodríguez will see them as usual in person in our office. There will be times when is necessary to visit Dr. Rodríguez personally - patients who need a thyroid ultrasound or biopsy, patients who need testosterone shots, patients who need a comprehensive physical exam related to their condition, etc. Those types of appointments need to physically take place in our offices, as usual. But, for patients whose time is extremely tight, could greatly benefit from scheduling Telemedicine Video Calls appointments to maintain their continuity of care, from wherever they might be, even when they’re on a business trip or away to college. These Telemedicine Voice Call appointments are very convenient, but unfortunately, they’re not currently covered by insurance. However, the cost for these TVCs is very affordable

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The information on this website does not constitute a diagnosis, treatment or medical consultation. Always seek the direct guidance of a physician or health care professional about any medical conditions you may have. The information provided does not replace the formal opinion from a doctor who treats you personally. Never ignore medical advice received by something you have read on this website.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.