Getting care
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Telehealth
Established patients can conduct follow-up appointments via secure video telehealth. Telehealth visits are available for:
- Heart failure management follow-ups
- Medication reviews and prescription renewals
- Post-procedure follow-up for hemodynamically stable patients
- Diabetes and hypertension medication adjustments
- Results review for labs, Holter monitors, and ambulatory studies
Telehealth is NOT appropriate for new symptom evaluation (chest pain, new shortness of breath, palpitations) call the office directly or proceed to the ER for acute symptoms.
Referral forms
Referring physicians and their office staff may submit referrals via:
- Fax: (352) 732-8098
- Phone: (352) 572-7730, ask for referral coordination
- Online referral portal: Click Here
Urgent cardiac referrals (new AFib, hemodynamically significant arrhythmia, unstable angina, significant echocardiographic findings) are triaged for same-week appointments. Please indicate urgency in your referral note.
Preparation guides
New Cardiology Patient Visit
- Bring all current medications, or a complete, accurate list with dosages
- Bring prior cardiac test results if available: EKG, echocardiography report, stress test, cath report
- If you have a pacemaker or ICD, bring your device card
- Bring your insurance card and a photo ID
- Arrive 15 minutes early for a new patient visit to complete intake
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (you may need an EKG or echo at this visit
Before a Cardiac Catheterization
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before (NPO after midnight)
- Hold blood thinners as instructed by Dr. Qamar, do not stop warfarin, Eliquis, or Xarelto without explicit physician instruction
- Hold metformin 48 hours before procedure if contrast will be used, confirm with our team
- Arrange a driver you cannot drive after cardiac catheterization with sedation
- Bring a full medication list and your insurance card
Before a Stress Test or Nuclear Study
- No caffeine for 24 hours before the test (coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, energy drinks)
- No food for 4 hours before the test
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Hold beta-blockers on the morning of an exercise stress test only if instructed, confirm with our team
Financial
Insurance accepted
Florida Heart & Vascular Institute participates with Medicare, Medicaid, and most major commercial insurance plans. We also accept self-pay patients and offer compassionate self-pay rates for uninsured patients in financial hardship. No patient is turned away based on inability to pay.
- Medicare (Parts A and B)
- Medicaid (Florida Medicaid)
- Most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
- United Healthcare
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Humana
- Tricare (Veterans and military families)
- Self-pay: compassionate rate available, call for details
Note: Insurance participation is subject to change. Always verify your specific plan directly with our patient services team before your appointment: (352) 572-7730. {Link}.
Billing info
For billing inquiries, explanation of charges, payment plans, or financial hardship applications, contact our billing department:
- Billing Phone: (352) 572-7730 — ask for Billing
- Email: [billing@floridaheartvascular.com]
·We offer payment plans for patients with outstanding balances. No patient will be denied care for an inability to pay a prior balance while an active financial arrangement is in place.
Records & Access
Patient forms
Complete your new patient paperwork before your appointment to reduce wait time. The following forms are available for download:
Medical records
To request a copy of your medical records (for yourself, another provider, insurance, or legal purposes):
- Complete a Medical Records Release Authorization form [download link]
- Fax completed form to: (352) 732-8098
- Standard processing time: 5-10 business days
- Urgent requests for care coordination can typically be accommodated within 24-48 hours
Patient portal
Access your medical records, lab results, imaging reports, appointment history, and secure messaging with our clinical team through our patient portal.
Portal Access: [link to patient portal]
First-time users: your login credentials will be provided at your first visit or emailed upon request. Call (352) 572-7730 for portal access assistance.
After your visit
At Florida Heart & Vascular Institute, your care does not end when you leave the office. Clear follow-through after your appointment helps ensure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and the best possible heart health outcomes.
Below is what to expect after your visit.
Understanding Your Care Plan
Before you leave, our team will review:
- Your diagnosis and key findings
- Any new or adjusted medications
- Recommended lifestyle changes
- Ordered labs, imaging, or cardiac testing
- Follow-up appointment timing
If anything is unclear once you’re home, call (352) 572-7730 or message us through the patient portal.
Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up timing depends on your condition:
- Heart failure management: typically 1–4 weeks
- Post-procedure visits: usually within 7–14 days
- Routine cardiology follow-up: every 3–12 months
Telehealth follow-ups are available for stable patients. If your symptoms worsen before your scheduled visit, call us immediately.
When to Seek Immediate Care
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience:
- Active chest pain or pressure
- Severe shortness of breath
- Fainting or near fainting
- Sudden weakness, numbness, or stroke-like symptoms
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat with dizziness
Do not wait for a callback if symptoms feel urgent.
After Cardiac Procedures
If you had a cardiac catheterization, stress test, or imaging study:
- Follow all written discharge instructions carefully.
- Monitor the catheter insertion site for bleeding, swelling, or redness.
- Avoid heavy lifting as instructed.
- Keep follow-up appointments to review results and recovery progress.
Call our office if you notice increasing pain, swelling, fever, or bleeding at the procedure site.
Your Heart Health Is Ongoing
Managing heart disease is a partnership. Staying consistent with medications, diet, exercise, and follow-up visits significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and cardiac events.
We are honored to be part of your care journey. If questions arise after your visit, we are here for you.
Medications & Prescriptions
Prescriptions are sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy.
- Begin new medications exactly as directed.
- Do not stop blood thinners, beta-blockers, or heart medications without speaking to our office.
- Report side effects such as dizziness, swelling, bleeding, or shortness of breath immediately.
Test Results
If labs, imaging, or cardiac studies were ordered:
- Most routine results are available within 3–7 business days.
- Nuclear studies and advanced imaging may take slightly longer.
- Results are posted in the Patient Portal once reviewed by the physician.
- If results are urgent, our clinical team will contact you directly.
If you have not received results within 10 business days, please call our office.
FAQ
Yes. We see every patient who walks through our doors. For uninsured patients, we offer compassionate self-pay rates and financial hardship accommodations. Call (352) 572-7730 to discuss.
New cardiology consultations typically take 45-60 minutes. If diagnostics (EKG, echo, or stress test) are performed at the same visit, allow 2-3 hours.
For active, ongoing chest pain — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For chest pain that has resolved but recurred in the last 24-72 hours, call (352) 572-7730 and request an urgent appointment. We prioritize these.