FAQs

Patients

 

Do I need an appointment?

We encourage all COMBI clients to make an appointment for physicals and Workers’ Compensation follow-up visits. Appointments are not required for initial injury care, DOT physicals, drug screens, breath alcohol tests, or flu shots. You may simply walk-in to our facility at any time. Drug and Alcohol testing can be performed on a walk-in basis 8am to 4pm Monday thru Friday.

 

What should I bring with me when I visit COMBI Occupational Medicine?

All employees or job candidates must bring a photo ID and any employer authorizations or requisitions for service. If candidates will be receiving immunizations during their visit, they should bring their record of past immunizations.

 

If an employee was injured at work and initially treated at an emergency department, the employee should bring their medical documentation from the visit.

 

What should I do if I get injured at work?

If you are injured at work, you should notify your supervisor of your injury immediately. If your injury requires treatment by a physician, proceed to our facility to be seen by a medical provider.

 

I have been released from care but I started hurting again, what should I do?

Report this to your supervisor. Your company will contact the insurance adjustor. The insurance adjustor will authorize an evaluation of the condition.

 

Can COMBI’s physician serve as my primary care physician?

No, we do not provide ongoing primary care services. Our physicians specialize in occupational medicine just like a cardiologist specializes in caring for your heart. If our provider discovers a medical condition that requires regular monitoring by a medical professional, you will be referred for follow-up with your primary care provider.

 

Do you provide x-rays at your facility?

Yes, we have a state-of-the-art radiology equipment at our facility.

 

May I bring my children along with me if I am coming for a work-related appointment?

It is best to make other arrangements for your children or to bring along an adult to care for your children while being seen.

 

Can prescription drugs cause a positive urine drug test result?

Yes. If a drug screen test result comes back positive, a medical review physician will contact you, the employee, and give you an opportunity to provide information on any prescription medications you may be taking that can explain the positive result. If a result is explained by a prescription medication, the Medical Review Officer will report the test result as negative (passing).

 

How can I obtain the results of my drug test?

Employees can obtain the results of their drug test from their employer. If your results are positive, a medical review officer will contact you.

 

Will I receive a bill for the services provided?

Most services are paid by your employer or by the employer’s insurance carrier for Workers’ Compensation. If your Workers’ Compensation claim is declined, you may become responsible for the bill.

 

Who do I contact to discuss my account billing charges?

Please contact our billing department toll-free at 1.855.269.0060.

Employers

 

As an employer, what is my responsibility in reporting injuries?

If you know of an injury to one of your employees, or an employee alleges an injury to you that has resulted in five (5) full or partial calendar days of disability, you must file an Employer’s First Report of Injury or Fatality Form – Form 101. You are required to file this form within seven (7) calendar days, not including Sundays and legal holidays, from the fifth day of disability. You should also give a copy to the injured employee. If the employee reports the injury to you after he or she has already been disabled for five (5) or more days, you must file the Employer’s First Report of Injury or Fatality Form – Form 101 within seven (7) calendar days, not including Sundays and legal holidays, of the day the injury was actually reported to you. If the injury results in just medical bills, or fewer than five (5) full or partial calendar days of disability, you would report it just to your insurer. A recent amendment to the rule requires employers to report all work-related in-patient hospitalizations, as well as amputations and losses of an eye, to OSHA within 24 hours of the event.

 

What should employers have employees or job candidates bring when they visit COMBI Occupational Medicine?

All employees or job candidates must bring a photo ID and any company forms that are to be completed by our medical providers. If candidates will be receiving immunizations during their visit, they should bring their record of past immunizations.

 

If an employee was injured at work and initially treated at an emergency department, the employee should bring their medical documentation from the visit.

 

Does HIPAA apply in Workers’ Compensation?

The HIPAA Privacy Rule does not apply to entities that are Workers’ Compensation insurers, Workers’ Compensation administrative agencies, or employers, except to the extent they may otherwise be covered entities. However, these entities need access to the health information of individuals who are injured on the job or who have a work-related illness to process or adjudicate claims, or to coordinate care under Workers’ Compensation systems. Generally, this health information is obtained from health care providers who treat these individuals and who may be covered by the Privacy Rule. The Privacy Rule recognizes the legitimate need of insurers and other entities involved in the Workers’ Compensation systems to have access to individuals’ health information as authorized by State or other law. Due to the significant variability among such laws, the Privacy Rule permits disclosures of health information for Workers’ Compensation purposes in a number of different ways.

 

Can you help us assess the physical ability and/or medical qualifications of our applicants to perform a job?

Yes, our clinics performs post-offer/pre-employment and OSHA Medical surveillance examinations to determine if prospective employees meet the physical and medical requirements to perform the essential functions of a job. These evaluations can include physical ability tests that mimic particular functions of a job.

 

Why is pre-employment fit-for-duty testing a good idea?

Pre-employment fit-for-duty testing is used to determine an applicant’s physical suitability for the job at hand. Comprehensive tests are custom-designed for the specific job function and are typically used to identify pre-existing injuries. 

 

When can I drug test my employees?

You can drug test your employees for any of the following reasons: pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion and random testing.

 

How long will it take to get drug test results?

Drug test results typically take 24 to 48 hours, depending upon the type of test being performed (e.g., urine, hair, or DOT). If COMBI Occupational Medicine serves only as the collection site for your drug tests, then results will be reported to you directly from your selected lab/third-party administrator, and their result turnaround times may vary.

 

What insurances do you accept?

We accept all Workers’ Compensation insurances for injury and illness care. For employer requested services which are not billable through insurance, we accept cash, purchase orders, and Visa/MasterCard. To set up services and be invoiced directly to your company, please contact our offices directly at 813.246.4277

 

Who do I contact to discuss my account billing charges?

Please contact our billing department toll-free at 855.269.0060.