Question 1

What is an ENT specialist (otolaryngologist)?

Accepted Answer

An otolaryngologist — commonly called an ENT doctor — is a physician trained in the medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck. ENT specialists complete at least five years of surgical residency after medical school and are board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.

Question 2

Do I need a referral to see an ENT specialist?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your insurance plan. Some insurance plans (particularly HMOs) require a referral from your primary care physician, while others (PPOs, most Medicare plans) allow you to self-refer. We recommend contacting your insurance company before your appointment to confirm. If a referral is needed, our office can help coordinate with your PCP.

Question 3

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card, a list of current medications and dosages, any relevant imaging studies (CT or MRI scans on disc), prior medical records related to your condition, and a list of questions or symptoms. Arriving 15 minutes early helps us get you checked in efficiently.

Question 4

Which locations do you have and which doctors are at each?

Accepted Answer

We have four offices: Brockton, Dedham, Plainville, and Taunton. Each location has different physicians on staff. Visit our Locations page to see which doctors practice at each office and find the most convenient location for you.

Question 5

How do I schedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

You can schedule an appointment by calling (508) 588-8034, using our online appointment request form, or visiting our patient portal. We respond to all appointment requests within 1 business day. For urgent matters, please call our office directly.

Question 6

How far in advance do I need to book?

Accepted Answer

New patient appointments are typically available within 1–2 weeks. Follow-up appointments and procedures are usually scheduled sooner. Same-day appointments may be available for urgent concerns — please call to check availability.

Question 7

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

We ask that you provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. This allows us to offer the time slot to another patient. Repeated no-shows may result in a cancellation fee.

Question 8

Do you offer telehealth appointments?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer telehealth video visits for select conditions including follow-up consultations, medication management, review of test results, and certain initial consultations. Ask about telehealth availability when scheduling your appointment.

Question 9

What insurance plans do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept most major insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid/MassHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan, and many others. Please contact our billing department at (508) 588-8034 to verify your specific plan is accepted.

Question 10

What if I do not have insurance?

Accepted Answer

Self-pay patients are welcome at all of our locations. We offer competitive self-pay rates and can discuss payment plans for larger balances. Please ask our front desk about current self-pay pricing when scheduling your appointment.

Question 11

How do I pay my bill?

Accepted Answer

You can pay your bill online through our secure payment portal at /pay-bills, by phone, by mail, or in person at any of our office locations. We accept credit cards, debit cards, checks, and HSA/FSA payments.

Question 12

Will I receive a bill even if I have insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you may receive a statement for any copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or non-covered services. We bill your insurance first, and once they process the claim, we send you a statement for your responsibility. Our billing team is happy to explain any charges.

Question 13

What conditions do ENT specialists treat?

Accepted Answer

ENT specialists treat a wide range of conditions including: chronic sinusitis and nasal obstruction, hearing loss and tinnitus, ear infections, tonsillitis and sleep apnea, voice and swallowing disorders, thyroid and parathyroid disease, head and neck tumors, allergies, dizziness and balance disorders, and more. We also provide services like balloon sinuplasty, Inspire implant for sleep apnea, and radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules.

Question 14

Do you treat children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we provide pediatric ENT care for children of all ages. Our pediatric services include ear tube placement, adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy, management of congenital conditions, hearing evaluations, and treatment of chronic ear infections and sinus problems. Our physicians are experienced in working with young patients in a child-friendly environment.

Question 15

What is balloon sinuplasty and am I a candidate?

Accepted Answer

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that opens blocked sinus passages using a small balloon catheter. It is performed under local anesthesia with minimal downtime. You may be a candidate if you have chronic sinusitis that has not responded to medications. An evaluation with CT imaging will determine if balloon dilation is appropriate for your anatomy.

Question 16

What is the Inspire implant for sleep apnea?

Accepted Answer

Inspire is an FDA-approved implantable device that treats obstructive sleep apnea by stimulating the hypoglossal nerve to keep your airway open during sleep — no CPAP mask required. Ideal candidates have moderate to severe OSA, cannot tolerate CPAP, and have a BMI under 32–35. A sleep study and drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) are required to confirm candidacy.

Question 17

What types of visits can be done via telehealth?

Accepted Answer

Telehealth is suitable for follow-up visits, medication management, review of imaging or lab results, discussion of treatment plans, and certain initial consultations (e.g., allergy history review, sleep apnea screening). Procedures, hearing tests, and conditions requiring a physical exam must be done in person.

Question 18

How do I join a telehealth appointment?

Accepted Answer

Before your appointment, you will receive a secure link via email or text message. At your scheduled time, simply click the link on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Make sure you have a stable internet connection, good lighting, and a quiet space. No special app download is required.

Question 19

Is telehealth covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

Most insurance plans in Massachusetts cover telehealth visits at the same rate as in-office visits. Medicare and MassHealth also cover telehealth services. We recommend verifying with your insurance carrier, but our billing team can also assist with questions about telehealth coverage.

Question 20

Can I get prescriptions through a telehealth visit?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases your physician can prescribe or refill medications during a telehealth visit. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy. Some controlled substances may require an in-person visit depending on federal and state regulations.

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