To My Patients,

It is with mixed feelings that I announce that I will be closing my current medical practice, here in Arvada, on June 30, 2012. While I am very excited to announce that I will be opening a smaller, more intimate, and much simpler, fee-for-service practice in the Cherry Creek North area, I realize that with every new beginning, no matter how exciting and positive, comes the sadness of an ending. As I change to this new practice model, I will be leaving behind my exceptional staff and my current Arvada location. I also realize that some of my current patients will be unable or unwilling to follow me into a fee-for-service practice. I have enjoyed my association with all of you and one of the most difficult parts of this decision has been knowing that the medical relationship that I have with some of you will be ending. I am hoping to be able to see many of my current patients in my new practice setting but for those of you that can’t follow me, I thank you for the honor and privilege you bestowed on me by entrusting me with your care. I will miss many of you more that you know. 

Information on my new practice, WomanSmart, will be available at the practice website, www.womansmart.net.  I encourage you to visit my website to see if my new practice will be a good fit for you.

I will post any changing news regarding the closing of my current practice on this website, www.drdiannestone.com.

Again, it’s been a rare privilege to be involved in your lives and with your care. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely,

Dianne C. Stone, MD

FAQs Regarding Closure of the Practice

1. Why are you closing?

To put it simply, I want the option to see patients differently. I want to be able to slow down and spend more time with each patient. As many of you know, I have tried to move towards a more holistic approach to patient care, combining my western-based training with a more integrative, individualized treatment plan for each patient. This kind of care demands more than the traditional 15 to 30 minute office visit that insurance allows.  With my new practice, WomanSmart, I will be able to spend as much time as needed with you.  Patients will be able to book a longer visit, consistent with their needs and their resources.

2. Will you be staying in Arvada?

The key to being able to see patients in a slower fashion is being able to keep overhead lower. I will be leasing space in my husband’s office, Squires Plastic Surgery, in Cherry Creek North.   My husband and I will continue to have completely separate medical practices. He has a beautiful space, with an elegant spa-like atmosphere, and it is ideal for how I want to practice going forward.

3. Will you be accepting my insurance at your new practice?

My new practice will be a fee-for-service practice meaning that you will pay for your visit out-of-pocket at the time you are seen. I will not be participating with any insurance plans, including Medicare. However, unless you have an HMO or Medicare, it is very likely that your insurance will reimburse you for part of your visit. I will give you paperwork – a receipt with charges/codes, –to support you submitting a claim to your insurance company and you can also submit this to your Flexible Health Care Spending Account.  Labs and pathology will continue to go thru your insurance.

4. My annual appointment is not due until after June 30, 2012. Can I see you at your current practice before June 30^thand still have it covered by my insurance?

You will need to call your insurance company. Some plans will cover a visit every calendar year. For example if you had an annual at any time in 2011, you can have your next annual at any time in 2012. Other plans require that it be 365 days since your last annual visit before a new annual will be covered. We will not be able to provide this information for you. You will need to call your insurance company.  You are welcome to call to confirm the date of your last annual visit.

5. I’m going to be changing to a new practice. How do I get a copy of my medical records?

Your medical records will be available to be picked up at our current office at 6870 W. 52^ndAvenue, Suite 210 until July 27, 2012. Please give us 10 days’ notice to have your records ready.  Records will be available without charge until July 27, 2012. After that date there will be a $30 fee to have your records prepared and sent to you.

6. How do I find out about your new practice?

The best way to find out up-to-date details about my new practice will be to go to my new website, www.womansmart.net.  The new website is a work in progress, so be sure and check in every couple of weeks for new content.