How do I make an appointment?
Please call our appointment desk at (252) 635-3267. Before calling for an appointment, make sure to have your insurance information available.

Do I need a referral to see an ECIM provider?
At ECIM we do not require patients to have a referral to see any of our providers. Many insurance companies may require authorization prior to seeing one of our doctors. Please contact your insurance company to verify your benefits and coverage.

Do you accept my insurance? Medicare? Medicaid?
ECIM participates with the following insurance companies and plans MEDICARE, MEDICAID, MEDCOST, MAIL HANDLERS, FIRST HEALTH/CCN, BLUE CROSS OF NC, HEALTHCARE SAVINGS, CAROLINA SUMMIT, TRICARE FOR LIFE, TRICARE (standard), CIGNA (not all plans - only PPO, EPO, INDEMNITY, OPEN ACCESS PLUS, OPEN ACCESS  PLUS IN-NETWORK), WHEATSTONE (PCM), CITY OF HAVELOCK- (PCM), CITY OF NEW BERN- (BMS). ECIM does accept Medicare and Medicaid. If you are a Carolina Access patient, please make sure that you have ECIM listed as your primary provider and the correct location.   Back to Top

What should I do if ECIM is not in my network of providers?
Even if ECIM is not in your network of providers, you may still see any of our providers. Most insurance companies have different rules and payment schedules based on in-network and out-of-network providers. Please contact your insurance company to verify benefits and coverage
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How do I contact my Doctor after hours?
After office hours, weekends and holiday call (252) 633-8820 and ask for the doctor on call for ECIM. For pediatric patients, please call (252) 633-8817 and ask for the ECIM pediatric physician on call. If you feel you have a life-threatening situation, dial 911 or go to the closest emergency facility.   
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How do I contact my doctor during normal hours?
The telephone numbers for each office is listed on our “Locations” page. Our receptionists and appointment staff answer the phones between 8:30a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday in all of our offices except ECIM Urgent Care – New Bern. Our phones are answered at Urgent Care between 9:30a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
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We will give appropriate advice and instruction over the phone during office hours. We encourage you to call if you are unsure of what you are experiencing. Leave call-back information with the receptionist and the nurse will return your call as soon as possible. If you need to speak to a physician, the doctor or nurse practitioner will return your call at their earliest convenience. This is generally during the lunch break or after the work day is completed. If you have contacted the office, and expect a return call from us, please keep your phone line open. If you have not heard back from us and your condition has changed, please call back.   Back to Top

Also, please make sure that your caller ID allows calls even for blocked numbers, or the physician may not be able to reach you.   Back to Top

How do I call for a prescription refill?
Please call between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. so that we may have your medical records available and be certain that a refill is the best course of treatment. It is always helpful to have the pharmacy name and phone number available. Prescription refill line (252) 635-3955 for all locations.   Back to Top

What is involved in a complete physical exam?
A basic medical necessity for each new patient, this in-depth exam provides your doctor with a thorough understanding of your body, its symptoms and unique characteristics. This may include a detailed history, a physical examination, a chest x-ray, an electrocardiogram (EKG), a urinalysis and blood tests. Additional tests may be requested by your doctor if necessary. All this is done right in our offices in one visit with attention to privacy and convenience.    Back to Top

We recommend a complete history and physical every one to two years for adults over age 40.

What hospital does ECIM admit patients?
ECIM admits their patients to Craven Regional Medical Center. We provide 24 hour hospital coverage at Craven Regional Medical Center. Our hospitalists are physicians specializing in the care and management of hospitalized patients with special attention to acute care needs. These doctors are supported by ECIM hospital-based nurse practitioners and confer regularly with your primary care physician to determine your medical needs and continued care. Back to Top

Where do I go for X-ray and Lab work?
You can take your lab slip to the office that is most convenient for you and have your lab work completed and the same is true for routine X-rays. Mammograms are offered in our New Bern office and also in our Pollocksville facility. Advanced studies such as CT are done in our Pollocksville location.   Back to Top

What should I expect to pay at each visit?
If we are a participating provider with your insurance company, you will be responsible for paying all co-pays and/or deductibles. If we do not participate with your insurance company, payment is expected at the time of service. Financial arrangements may be made by calling (252) 635-3805.

My Doctor is not there today, can I still be seen?
If your Doctor is not in and you need to be seen that day, we will make every effort to have you seen by another provider. Please call the appointment line (252) 635-3267. Back to Top