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Patient Guide
Thank you for entrusting your care to the cardiologists and staff of Minnesota Heart Clinic.
Our cardiovascular specialists work in partnership with primary care physicians to diagnose and treat routine and complex heart problems.
The cardiologists and staff of Minnesota Heart Clinic are committed to improving the cardiovascular health of our community by focusing on the individual needs of our patients. We ensure the quality of your care by smoothly integrating a full range of cardiac services, from patient education through inpatient care.
If you should need immediate care, day or night, a Minnesota Heart Clinic cardiologist is available 24 hours a day to respond immediately and direct the care you may need.
Because heart disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in Minnesota, we are committed to exploring better ways to care for our patients through technologies and techniques that were unknown just a few years ago. After obtaining medical degrees in internal medicine, our physicians completed additional education in cardiovascular subspecialties and are certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Cardiovascular Disease.
Specialized nursing services
Minnesota Heart Clinic is staffed by nurse practitioners (NP’s) and physician assistants (PA’s) experienced in cardiology who work closely with our cardiologists. The nurse practitioners/physician assistants will be in the office for follow-up appointments for your cardiology needs.
Minnesota Heart Clinic is also staffed by registered nurses (RN) who, after consulting with one of our physicians, NP’s or PA’s, will return your phone calls about cardiology concerns. Before returning your call, we will review your medical record, so please allow several hours for a return call. Because of this, messages left later in the afternoon will be returned the next day.
When you call for an appointment
Your first appointment at Minnesota Heart Clinic may have been made by your referring physician, or it may be a follow-up visit after hospitalization.
Whenever you call for an appointment, you will be offered the best option based on the type of care you will require at that visit. In some cases, the earliest recommended appointment may not be with the doctor you have seen previously in the clinic or at the hospital. All visits are by appointment only.
We ask that you schedule future appointments as far in advance as possible. If you need to change your appointment, please contact us immediately.
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 952-836-3700 or toll-free 1-888-662-7787
Patient Information Document
In life-threatening circumstances, always call 911 first or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department. Minnesota Heart Clinic cardiologists are on call 24 hours a day to provide emergency care.
When you call us
In non-emergency situations, call our main number 952-836-3700 during regular clinic hours if you have questions or concerns about your care.
You will be transferred to the appropriate department or you may be asked to leave a message. A nurse will review your medical record and return your call within several hours. Please understand that phone messages left late in the afternoon may not be returned until the next business day.
When to expect your test results
If you have diagnostic tests at Minnesota Heart Clinic or at the hospital, you will be notified of the results by your primary care physician or our staff within 7-10 days.
While you are hospitalized
Minnesota Heart Clinic provides care for our patients at Fairview Southdale Hospital, Fairview Ridges Hospital, Fairview Northland Regional Hospital, and Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center. As consulting specialists, a team of cardiologists from Minnesota Heart Clinic coordinates your care while you are hospitalized.
If you should need special surgery, Minnesota Heart Clinic will arrange the necessary services and may transfer your care to a group of cardiovascular surgeons.
Before you go home, you will receive instructions about your ongoing care, including recommendations from your cardiologist.
How to refill your cardiac prescriptions
When you need to refill prescriptions for medications related to your cardiac condition, please call your pharmacist, who will then contact us for approval. For your protection, we review your medical record before approving a refill, so please allow three days for authorization. Other medications that are not related to your heart should be refilled through your primary care physician.
Patient rights and responsibilities
At Minnesota Heart Clinic, we pledge to treat each patient with respect and honor your dignity at all times. Open communication and mutual respect between our staff and patients are important in providing the best possible care, so we encourage you to ask questions and state your preferences. If you or your family members are concerned that you may not be able to understand or follow instructions, it is important to tell us so we can help ensure that you receive the care you need.
Our research directly improves patient care
Our cardiologists are nationally recognized for their participation in clinic research with both conventional and investigational cardiac treatments. Qualifying patients are often offered the opportunity to participate in programs that are well supervised and monitored by safety. As always, we will explain your options carefully so that you can make an informed decision about participation in clinical trials.
Your records at Minnesota Heart Clinic
Minnesota Heart Clinic is in full compliance with all federal and state guidelines in all aspects of your care. Your medical records and all information that you share with doctors, nurses and technicians at Minnesota Heart Clinic are confidential. Our ability to release medical information is regulated by state and federal law. It is necessary for a patient to personally sign the request form for information to be released to others; the form cannot be authorized by a spouse or family member without legal authority.
To release your records please print and complete the form:
Authorization to Release Medical Information
Autorization to Receive Medical Information Form
ATTN: Medical Records
6405 France Ave S
Edina, MN 55435
If you need copies of your records, please allow a minimum of two weeks for coordination of your request through our medical records service. Due to the technical nature of procedures or tests conducted by Minnesota Heart Clinic, we are not able to provide actual films or tapes, but we can prepare a written report of a specific test or procedure, if requested.
Insurance and financial arrangements
Minnesota Heart Clinic has contracts with most local health plans. Our business office will file claims to your insurance company if you provide the correct address. We allow 60 days for the insurance company to process the claim before expecting payment from you. All charges for services not covered by insurance remain the patient’s responsibility.
Some insurance plans may require a referral or prior authorization from your primary care physician for cardiac care. Minnesota Heart Clinic will assist with the referral process, however, final responsibility for obtaining a referral remains with the patient.
We encourage you to read your insurance benefit policy carefully so you understand your coverage. If you have questions about your coverage, please contact your insurance carrier or the benefit representative at your workplace.
We ask that you present your current insurance card each time you visit the clinic. Co-payments are due at the time of appointment. If you do not have insurance coverage, a partial payment is required at the time of the appointment. For your convenience, Minnesota Heart Clinic accepts VISA and MasterCard.
If you have questions about the cost of care, or want to make payment arrangements, please contact our business office at 612-672-7730.
Thank you for choosing Minnesota Heart Clinic for your cardiology care. We look forward to working in partnership with you to preserve your health and well-being.
To schedule an appointment call 952-836-3700 or toll-free at 1-888-662-7787 (1-888-MNAPPTS)
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Patient information document
Specialized nursing services
When you call for an appointment
When to expect your test results
While you are hospitialized
How to refill you cardiac prescriptions
Patient rights and responsibilities
Our research directly improves patient care
Your records at Minnesota Heart Clinic
Insurance and financial arrangements
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