Can I refer myself to your practice?
We do take patient self referrals, however many HMOs require a referral from the primary provider. Please know your insurance carrier policies and follow their procedures.

We normally get baseline information from your primary provider such as labs, EKGs, and previous cardiac testing results. If you do refer yourself it helps a lot if you bring this kind of information along with your current pill bottles with you.

How do I get my prescriptions refilled through Ithaca Cardiology?
Getting refills of your cardiac related medications can be done 2 ways. You may call our office at 272-0460 during normal business hours to ask for refills. You can also click on the prescription refills area of the web site. Please fill out the information requested completely. Cardiac medications require regular monitoring. If we have not seen you in our office in over a year we may refill a medication for one month and then contact you to make an office visit appointment.

Why does your staff ask me to bring my current pill bottles to each appointment?
Patients frequently think they know their medications and then they get to their physician’s office and they are not sure. It is important for us to know all of your medications. By asking patients to bring in their bottles we know the names, doses, and who prescribed the medication if we have questions.

Why won’t your office give information to my husband/wife?
The Health Information Privacy, Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996 requires us to have written permission from you to share any of your health information with other individuals. A brochure explaining this act is given to you when you come to our office for the first time. After reviewing this brochure there is a form for you to list those individuals you want us to share health information with. Legally we are not supposed to give information to an individual unless they are listed on this form.

Where is your office located?
Ithaca Cardiology Associates is located at 2432 North Triphammer Road in Ithaca. It is down the road from the Triphammer Mall traveling towards Lansing on the left hand side. Our building is right after the AllState and Foodnet building and across from Craft Road.

Speaking of construction, how long is this going to last?
The hospital construction started earlier in 2006 and they anticipate it will last for approximately 2 years, although we are unclear how long the parking and walkway will be affected.

What insurance companies do you participate with?
Ithaca Cardiology Associates participates with all insurance companies within the Cayuga Area Plan. Please feel free to call our office if you have specific insurance related questions.

Why do I have to be on so many pills for my blood pressure and/or cholesterol?
Different medications treat blood pressure and/or high cholesterol through different mechanisms in your body. Frequently we use a combination of medication therapies along with encouraging healthy dietary changes and exercise to help keep blood pressure and high cholesterol under better control.

I am 50’ish and have never had chest pain. How do I know if I should see a cardiologist?
You do not have to have chest pain to see a cardiologist. Discussing this with your primary physician would be the best first step. Anyone over the age of 40 who is initiating an exercise program should have a stress test first. Depending on your risk factors (smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, family history) it may be a good idea to see a cardiologist.

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