An allergist/immunologist is a physician who first completes training in either internal medicine or pediatrics (three or more years), followed by additional training in allergic and immunologic diseases (two or more years).

Board certification is an important qualification because it means the physician has successfully completed rigorous examinations in the specialty. Before taking the Allergy and Immunology Board Examination, a physician must first complete the required training and certification process in Internal Medicine or Pediatrics.

All physicians in our practice are certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

•Those with inadequately controlled symptoms.
•Those who need to identify specific allergens that they are sensitive to in order to help with avoidance steps.
•Those with reduced quality of life or functional abilities due to allergies.
•Those who are considering allergy immunotherapy for more long-term control.
•Those with comorbid conditions such as asthma, sinusitis, frequent ear infections or eczema.

During your first visit to Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, your care team will take time to review and discuss your current symptoms, medical and allergy history, medications, and any concerns you may have.

Your visit will include a physical exam, a discussion of possible triggers or conditions, and treatment options. If allergy testing or other diagnostic testing is recommended, your provider will explain what to expect and whether testing can be completed during your visit or scheduled for a later date.

Our goal is to make your first visit comfortable, informative, and focused on your individual needs. We will review your results with you, answer your questions, and work together to develop a personalized treatment and follow-up plan.

Please bring a current list of medications and any relevant medical records or prior allergy testing results to help us provide the best possible care.

Allergy testing can be performed using skin testing or a blood test, depending on your symptoms, medical history, medications, and the type of allergy being evaluated.

For skin testing, small amounts of suspected allergens are placed on or just under the surface of the skin, usually on the back, although occasionally on the arm. The area is then observed for a short period of time for a localized reaction, such as a raised, itchy bump and an area of surrounding redness.

A blood test measures allergy-related antibodies (IgE) to specific allergens using a blood sample. This may be recommended when skin testing is not appropriate, if specific allergens are not available for skin testing, or when certain medications or skin conditions could interfere with testing.

Your provider will determine which testing method is most appropriate for you and will review the results in the context of your symptoms and medical history.

•Current insurance card(s) including prescription drug card(s)
•Co-payment
•Completed new patient paperwork: Lincoln forms Omaha forms
•Current medications/supplements (or a list with strength and dosage)
•Copies of available medical records pertaining to the symptoms for which the appointment was made

You should plan to spend approximately one or two hours at our office for your evaluation. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment for check-in.

This is a common question and a very difficult one to answer. There are several insurance companies and most carriers have many different policies that employers can choose from for their employees.

Insurance companies are not required to disclose the amounts that are covered and the amounts that the patient will be responsible for to the provider of service. Therefore, it is difficult for us as the provider to determine whether or not immunotherapy is a covered service for you. We encourage you to contact your insurance company personally to find out about immunotherapy coverage. When contacting your insurance company, please provide them with the codes listed below.

There are two kinds of fees associated with immunotherapy administration:
1. Code 95165 is used for preparation of allergy extract. Vials of serum last approximately 10 weeks depending on your frequency.
2. Code 95115 (one shot) or 95117 (two or more shots) is used for the administration of injections and is billed each time you receive your injections.

Questions to ask your insurance company:
1. Is Immunotherapy a covered service?
2. Would my extract (95165) be subject to a deductible or copay?
3. Would my shots (95115 or 95117) be subject to a deductible or copay?
4. Is there a yearly maximum for immunotherapy under my plan?

We hope this information helps answer some of the questions you may have concerning coverage of immunotherapy. It is always helpful to document who you spoke with when you call your insurance company for future reference.

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office.

The office asks that co-payments be made at the time of service. Statement will be printed on the 1st of each month.

If clearing the balance within 90 days is not possible, please contact our office. We will arrange a payment schedule with you. We also accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover for your convenience.

If we participate with your insurance carrier, our office will submit the charges. In most cases, your insurance is a contact between you and the insurance company. If we do not participate with your insurance company, it will be your responsibility to submit the charges. You may submit charges with one of the following forms:
•The itemized statement we can provide at the end of your appointment.
•The itemized billing statement you receive after the 1st of each month.
•A computer print-out of charges. You may request the itemized print-out of charges from our office.

Our doctors participate and accept assignments with Medicare. If you are on standard Medicare or Medicare Advantage, we will automatically submit your charges to the insurance carrier. If you receive payment from your supplemental insurance company you will need to send that payment directly to us.

Any co-payment, deductible, or remaining balance after the claim has been processed is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, P.C. complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, P.C. does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, P.C.:
• Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities to communicate effectively with us, such as:
○ Qualified sign language interpreters
○ Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats)
• Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as:
○ Qualified interpreters
○ Information written in other languages

If you need these services, contact Cindy Carlson, Practice Administrator.

If you believe that Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Associates, P.C. has failed to provide these services or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you can file a grievance with: Cindy Carlson, Practice Administrator, 600 North Cotner Blvd., Suite 208, Lincoln, NE 68505, Phone 402-464-5969, Fax 402-464-3657. You can file a grievance in person or by mail, or fax. If you need help filing a grievance, Cindy Carlson, Practice Administrator is available to help you.

You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or phone at:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)
Complaint forms are available at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html.

Download: Non-Discrimination Statement (English)
Download: Non-Discrimination Statement (Español)
Download: Non-Discrimination Statement (Vietnamese)
Download: Language Assistance