Our Practice - FAQs

Dr. Gary Smith | Arizona Family Doctor
Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Chandler Medical Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

• Appointments
• Prescriptions
• Specialist referrals
• Medical records

   
APPOINTMENTS
Most appointments can be made within 2 to 48 hours. We even offer same-day visits in some cases.
   
New patients should call 480-988-1659.

New patients - 
The day of your first visit, please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You’ll need to bring your current insurance card and a driver's license or photo identification with you. Medicare/Medicaid patients need to have a valid card and letter, as well as secondary insurance information. Please note your payment will be due at the time of your appointment.

Returning patients
 - Please arrive 5-10 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Be sure to bring your current insurance card and a driver's license or photo identification with you to each appointment. Please notify the front desk of any insurance, phone number or address changes.

NEW! Cancellation/No Show Policy - 
If you cannot keep your scheduled appointment, we require that you notify the clinic as soon as possible. A $25 no-show fee will be charged if notice is not received 24 hours in advance.

Appointments are in high demand. Your cancellation allows us to serve patients who may not otherwise have been seen. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Can I bring my children to my appointment?
 Yes, but children can not be left unattended in the lobby during your appointment.

PRESCRIPTIONS
How do I get refills for my prescription?
 Please contact your local pharmacy with your prescription request. They will contact our office for authorization.

SPECIALIST REFERRALS
How do I get a referral to see a specialist?
 If your health plan requires referral authorization, it is your responsibility to contact our office prior to making an appointment with a specialist. Failure to do so could result in lack of authorization for the referral visit, which may result in your insurance company denying payment for the specialist visit. Retroactive referral authorizations will not be made. Generally, patients need to be seen by their primary care physician before a referral can be requested.

Online - 
You can request a referral online if you are a registered patient. Login now.

By phone
 call 480-988-1659. Please provide the name of the physician requesting the referral, the patient's name, birth date, phone number and indicate if the referral is new or a follow up. Personnel from a specialist office should fax orders or notes to 480-988-1871.

How long will it take to obtain a referral?
 Initial referrals usually take from 3 - 7 business days to complete. Follow-up referrals typically take 3 - 5 business days to complete.

MEDICAL RECORDS
How can I get a copy of my medical records from East Valley Wellness Center?
Signed authorization is required for all requests to transfer medical records. This can be accomplished:

• In person, at either East Valley Wellness Center
• By mail. Send to: East Valley Wellness Center 7400 S. Power Rd., Bldg. 5, Ste. 5, Glibert, Arizona 85297
• By fax. Our fax number is 480-988-1871

For your convenience, you can print out and complete the medical records release form in advance. Bring it to the office on the day of your visit, mail it to us, or fax it to 480-988-1871.

The release must be printed and contain the patient's full name, birth date, the address to send the records to, and the signature of the patient or guardian, if the patient is a minor.

How long will it take to get a copy of my medical records from East Valley Wellness Center?
 Requests for medical records are processed one day a week. You should receive your records in approximately 1 - 2 weeks.