FAQs

Orthopedics is a broad medical specialty that focuses on the health of joints, bones, ligaments, nerves, and tendons. Orthopedic surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat the musculoskeletal conditions that may be impacting your day to day life.

Orthopedic surgeons undergo extensive training to ensure that your health is in good hands. The educational journey to become an orthopedist can typically be completed within 13 years, encompassing undergraduate, medical school, and a specialized residency program. Some orthopedic surgeons choose to continue their education through fellowship programs. At Atlantic Orthopaedics, the majority of our board-certified physicians are fellowship-trained, ensuring that your care remains unparalleled.

Outpatient surgery is a procedure that allows patients to return home the same day of their operation. This process can help to greatly reduce patient costs and allow for at-home recovery. Our new ambulatory surgery center, set to open in spring 2021, will provide our patients with convenient access to outpatient care. 

Our scheduling team will work with you to schedule your surgery after your appointment. The date of your surgery will depend on your physicians’ availability as well as the critical nature of your injury.

We want to be with you every step of the way. You will receive your surgery from the doctor who diagnosed you so that you can feel confident in your level of care.

At Atlantic Orthopaedics, our services are catered to fit your individual needs. For that reason, the price and nature of your surgery will vary based on the level of orthopedic care you require. However, we never want finances to be a barrier to your health. Atlantic Orthopedics is happy to accept most major insurance companies, including:

• Medicaid—selected providers
•  Medicare
• Anthem blue cross blue shield NH & ME
•  Cigna
• Harvard Pilgrim
• Aetna
• Tricare
• Martin’s Point
• United Healthcare
• VA Choice
• Workers Compensation NH & ME
• Medicaid, ME

Other commercial insurances are accepted. Please call to inquire about network participation for your particular plan or call Customer Service on your insurance card.

We are happy to see patients without insurance and will work with you to establish acceptable payment arrangements.

If you need to refill a prescription please contact our prescription line at 603-559-8329.

There are several key differences between a medical doctor and a physician’s assistant, including the length of schooling, licensure, and scope of practice. One of the greatest distinctions is that an MD must complete considerably more training than a PA, including a 3-7 year residency program before they are able to complete their board certification. A PA will spend approximately six years in school, whereas an MD will commit no less than nine years. Because of this, MDs are able to operate under a wider scope of practice, providing more complex diagnoses and treatments. Physician assistants, as evident in the title, are dependent practitioners, typically working under the direction of an MD. It is important to note that while physician assistants do not necessarily offer the same level of comprehensive care, they can provide similar day-to-day clinical treatments and surgical assists.

This will depend primarily on the procedure you are receiving. Our team of physicians and surgical schedulers will work closely with you to prepare you for surgery. Should your surgery require alternative transportation plans, our highly trained staff will ensure you receive proper notice prior to the date of your surgery.

We offer our patients two convenient locations for their orthopedic procedures through our affiliations with both York Hospital (York, ME) and Portsmouth Regional (Portsmouth, NH).

Atlantic Orthopaedics is also pleased to announce the construction of our own on-site ambulatory surgical center (ASC) set to open in spring 2021. Our ASC will provide patients with cutting-edge equipment and convenient access to outpatient services for seacoast residents.