Desert Orthopedic Center: Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are your hours of operation?
7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Physicians usually see patients from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are closed major holidays.

How do I make an appointment?
Please call our Appointment Scheduling Department at (760) 568-2684. (Physicians and nurses DO NOT make appointments.) When scheduling an appointment for a child under 18, please note that minors must be accompanied by an adult. For follow-up visits, if your doctor tells you to come back within a few weeks, it is advisable to make that appointment before you leave the office so we can ensure your appointment is within the suggested time period.

What information will the appointment scheduler need when I call?

Your full name

Social Security Number

Date of birth

Insurance carrier

Telephone number
Description of your problem

Do you have bilingual receptionists?
Yes. We have several staff members who speak Spanish and English, including appointment schedulers.

How long will my appointment last?
The average length of time for a first visit is usually a minimum of one hour, but could last more than two hours.

What insurance do you accept?

Blue Cross

Blue Shield

CCN

Healthy Families

as well as other private insuranceAs a courtesy, we bill secondary insurance carriers for our patients.
Desert Orthopedic Center also accepts MasterCard and VISA and has financial counselors available to help patients with their insurance claims.

Do you accept assignment for Medicare?
Yes.

Do you accept Workers Compensation cases?
Yes.

Does Desert Orthopedic Center have its own X-ray facility?
Yes. All three of our Coachella Valley locations have on-site X-ray equipment. DOC also has an on-site MRI and Bone Density Scanner at our Rancho Mirage office.

Are physicians on staff at the Valley hospitals?
Yes. Our physicians have staff privileges at all three Valley hospitals: Eisenhower Medical Center, Desert Regional Medical Center and John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital

Where is surgery performed?
Certain procedures can be done in the office. Outpatient surgery is performed at the accredited Desert Orthopedic Surgery Center located at our Rancho Mirage office. Surgery is performed at the three area hospitals.