FAQ

• Is Dr. Belisle a Primary Care Provider?

  Though trained in family and preventive medicine, Dr. Belisle is no longer considered a primary care provider. Our patients are asked to maintain a relationship with a previously established provider.

• What are your office hours?

  We see patients on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, by appointment. Staff is available in the office for patient support from 9:00-2:00, Monday through Thursday.

• How long are office visits?

  For the first visit, expect to spend 60 minutes in the treatment room. Subsequent visits are 30-45 minutes in length.

• Does your office take insurance?

  Our office no longer accepts insurance. All patients are asked to pay at the time of service. A receipt is provided for reimbursement purposes and it is the patient's responsibility to file claims for reimbursement. Our office staff is readily available to answer questions about this process.

• Does your office take Medicare?

  As of January 1, 2010, we have discontinued our affiliation with Medicare. All patients are asked to pay at the time of service. Upon request, a receipt is provided for tax purposes and/or reimbursement from a health savings/expense account. Receipts may not be used for reimbursement from Medicare.

• Will my insurance reimburse me for an office visit?

  This depends upon your insurance plan. We strongly urge patients to contact their insurance provider before making an appointment with our office. All patients will receive a receipt at the time of payment. The receipt may be used for tax purposes and/or reimbursement from a health savings/expense account. People with private insurance and MaineCare may also use this receipt to file a claim for reimbursement from their insurance provider. People with Medicare may not file a claim for reimbursement with Medicare.

• How much do visits cost?

  The cost of a visit depends upon the time spent with Dr Belisle. A new patient visit, typically lasting 60 minutes, costs $219. An established patient visit, typically lasting 45 minutes, costs $115. There are also extended visits for established patients that are $165.

• How do I get to the office?

  Our office is located at 81 Bridge Street in Suite 113 of the Sparhawk Mill in Yarmouth, Maine.
  From I-295 North, take Exit 15 to Yarmouth, US-1 North. Follow the slight right of the exit ramp onto US 1 North (.6 miles) At the first traffic light, take a right onto Portland Street (.5 miles) Turn left onto Main Street/US-15 (.1 miles) Turn right onto Bridge Street Our office in located in the old brick mill on the right, just over the bridge.
  
  From I-295 South, take Exit 17 to Yarmouth, US-1 South. Merge onto US-1 South (1.1 miles) At the second traffic light, take a left onto Willow Street (.1 miles) Turn right onto Bridge Street Our office in located in the old brick mill on the left, just before the bridge.
  
  Parking is available in front of the street-level entrance to the building or in the lower-level parking lot. Enter the building at streel-level and walk straight back. You will pass through two open doorways and one glass door before reaching the entrance to our practice.

• What should I wear to my office visits?

  Wear loose-fitted clothing, including pants that can be moved above the knee and shirts than can be lifted above the elbow. Do not wear dresses, as Dr. Belisle may need to examine your back. Patients with shoulder issues should bring or wear a sleeveless shirt. Patients with knee issues should bring or wear shorts.

• What should I bring to my office visits?

  • Appropriate clothing, as noted above.
  • Any paperwork or food journals we have asked you to complete.
  • Questions you would like Dr. Belisle to address.
  • A check or cash. At this time, we do not accept credit cards.
  • A calendar for making future appointments.

• What is your cancellation policy?

  As a small practice with limited office hours, we try to make ourselves available to as many patients as possible each week. For this reason, we request that you inform us by phone of a cancellation at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. If you are unable to do so, you will be charged for the missed appointment. Exceptions will be made for emergency situations.

• Does Dr. Belisle offer free initial consultations?

  Unfortunately, the demand for our office time is ever-increasing, and we are unable to offer free initial visits.

• Does Dr. Belisle offer care to children?

  Dr. Belisle offers wellness care to individuals over the age of 6. Younger children may be seen by special arrangement.

• Does Dr. Belisle offer care to cancer patients in treatment?

  Dr. Belisle does offer care to cancer patients, both during and after treatment.

• Does Dr. Belisle offer care to patients with bleeding disorders?

  Before performing acupuncture on a patient with a bleeding disorder, Dr Belisle requires written permission from the patient's primary care doctor or specialist.

• What does acupuncture treat?

  Acupuncture is one way to help the body heal itself. This therapy has been used in China since 3,000 BC. According to the World Health Organization, there are numerous "Diseases, symptoms or conditions for which acupuncture has been proved--through controlled trials--to be an effective treatment." Among these are the following:

  • Adverse reaction to radiotherapy and chemotherapy
  • Allergic rhinitis (including hay fever)
  • Depression
  • Epigastralgia (including peptic ulcers, acute and chronic gastritis and gastrospasm)
  • Headache
  • Hypertension
  • Knee pain
  • Low back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Stroke

  
  For a complete list of conditions for which acupuncture has proven or suggested therapeutic effects, please refer to the "Acupuncture: Review and Analysis of Reports on Controlled Clinical Trials," published by the WHO in 2003.
  
  Dr Belisle offers patients some form of acupuncture, in combination with suggestions for dietary changes, exercise and stress management. Using these approaches, the majority of patients feel better, experience less pain, and have fewer problems with chronic illnesses, such as depression and high blood pressure, over time.

   

• What do the needles feel like?

  Acupuncture needles do not feel like the needles used for injections or blood draws. They are thinner and smaller, and thus much less painful. The amount of pain experienced depends upon the patient, and the location of the acupuncture points used. Needles are sterile and used only once before being discarded.

• What are the risks of acupuncture?

  Acupuncture is considered a relatively safe procedure. The risks include pain, bleeding, bruising and damage to surrounding structures. We ask each patient to sign a consent form acknowledging their understanding of this before having an acupuncture procedure.