FAQs

An Endocrinologist is a physician who has trained in Internal Medicine and then continues training in the subspecialty of Endocrinology. Endocrinologists specialize in diseases that affect the hormone secreting glands, which include the insulin secreting portion of the pancreas; thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands. They also specialize in Metabolic Bone disease, such as Osteoporosis. Our Endocrinologists see patients age 13 and older with endocrine disorders.

How do I make a new patient appointment with your office?

Our office sees new patients by referral only. Contact your primary physician if you feel you should see an Endocrinologist. Your primary physician can discuss this with you, review labs and contact us if he/she sees the need for a consultation. They will furnish our office with your medical records and lab results which will aid in our consultation.

What should I expect at my first visit?

The first time you come to our office you will meet with one of our Endocrinologists to review the records from your referring physician and to discuss your endocrine system. This consultation with the Endocrinologist will normally last 40 minutes to one hour. You may have labs drawn at the close of the visit, but they will not be fasting. If the Endocrinologist wishes to have fasting labs drawn we will have you return for another visit when you come fasting. We request that you please turn off your cell phone while in the office.

How do I pronounce Dr. Donepudi's name?

Dah na poo dee. English is Dr. Donepudi's first and only language.

With which insurance companies are you contracted?

We are network providers for the following carriers:
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
CIGNA/Healthgram
United HealthCare/UMR
Medicare

We are also contracted with the following preferred provider networks who price claims for other carriers:
Medcost

If we are not network providers for your insurance plan please contact us about financial arrangements.

How do I get a refill on a prescription?

We ask that all prescription requests be done at your office visit. If you need a prescription outside of an office visit there will be a $10 charge. To avoid this charge for a refill request you can contact your pharmacy and ask them to fax us a request for a refill at (828) 304-6319. If this is not a refill or you need to speak to the nurse about your prescription, call (828) 322-7338 and listen to the prompts to select your physician. Please give us the patient name and date of birth and phone number. If someone other than the patient is calling, please leave your name. We will need the name of the medication and the dosage, as well as the name and phone number of your pharmacy.
Please allow 48 hours for the processing of the prescription.