You can find us in the middle building in the Midtown Medical Offices on East Avenue across the street from Michael's on East.
We have offered skilled and compassionate medical care for 32 years in Sarasota.
We offer expert diagnosis and treatment of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints and the related nervous system. Our primary focus is using Osteopathic manipulative treatment to help you achieve the goals of balance, improved mobility and reduction of the discomfort that comes from musculoskeletal restriction. When necessary and appropriate we also use nerve blocks, joint, tendon, muscle and tenderpoint injections and prolotherapy injections.
Osteopathic medicine is an American medical practice licensed in all 50 states and 65 other countries. It was first developed in the late 19th Century by Andrew Taylor Still, MD. Osteopathic medicine is a patient-focused approach to medical care that looks at every aspect of the patient, including physical, personal, and spiritual well-being. An osteopathic physician (DO) understands that the body is more than just a sum of its parts. The focus of an osteopathic medical practice is to assist the patient’s innate capacity to heal. Traditionally that has included addressing the interrelationship of the body’s nerves, muscles, bones and organs. Osteopathic physicians are licensed to prescribe medicine and practice in all medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties.
Dr. Van Buskirk is an internationally recognized osteopathic physician who has been in private practice in Sarasota, Florida for over 28 years. He is Board Certified in and has practiced Family Medicine and Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine. Before attending the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine he was an Associate Professor in Physiology and Neuroscience, having earned his PhD from Duke University. Dr. Van Buskirk is a Fellow of the American Academy of Osteopathy and has served for 21 years on the Board of Governors of the American Academy of Osteopathy. He is responsible for the rediscovery of and redevelopment of one of Dr. Still’s primary manipulative methods, the Still Technique. He is the published author of books, medical and scientific articles and has given lectures and courses in North America, Europe, Australia and Japan.
The muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, joints and connective tissue (fascia) make up 80% of the body's mass and volume. Restrictions in the ability to use any part of the body because of injuries, disuse, disease or trauma can have profound effects on our ability to function. The interrelationships of all body organs, including the musculoskeletal system is fundamental. What affects a part, affect all. The musculoskeletal system affects all other internal organs and in turn is affected by them in both health and disease. Musculoskeletal restrictions may or may not be visible to an outsider and may or may not be seen on x-rays and other radiology studies. Even so we clearly experience them, sometimes even with pain. Using his or her hands the trained osteopathic physician examines your body and determines where these restrictions are and what movement is still present. Diagnosis and treatment will be based on knowledge of both the normal and potential abnormalities as well as the relationships of all the parts of this complex system to each other, the nervous system and the other organs of the body. Treatment always includes some form of manual medicine but may also include prescription of medications, injections or referral to other physicians or surgeons..
The primary manipulative method used by Dr. Van Buskirk is the Still Technique. It involves induction of motion by the physician in the restricted tissue without force. It is generally pain-free.
Other methods commonly used by Dr. Van Buskirk include Muscle Energy, Counterstrain, Balanced Ligamentous Tension and Cranial Osteopathy
We have thirty years of experience in evaluation, diagnosis, management of and treatment of physical trauma including motor vehicle injuries, sports injuries and other accidents, including falls.
You need to be aware that under Florida Law anyone wishing to claim injuries from a motor vehicle accident MUST be evaluated by a Florida licensed MD or DO within 14 days of the accident. Dr. Van Buskirk can provide this necessary evaluation.
Dr. Van Buskirk has extensive experience in evaluating and treating both the acute and long-term problems that result from physical trauma. Whether your trauma has caused pain, physical restriction, limitations in your ability to function at home or at work, proper and prompt diagnosis and initiation of a treatment protocol tailored to you is essential.
Although you may be experiencing pain and restriction limited to only part of your body, your trauma has involved your whole person. That is who he treats. Dr. Van Buskirk will utilize all necessary resources to manage and promote your healing including medication, osteopathic musculoskeletal manipulative treatment, injections, radiology imaging, physical therapy, alternative therapies and where necessary referral to another medical specialist. His extensive experience is helpful in dealing with both the insurance companies and lawyers that are typically the result of trauma.
Diagnosis of problems relating to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones.
Diagnosis of rheumatological problems.
Evaluation of role of the brain, spinal cord and nerves as they relate to the musculoskeletal system.
Diagnosis and treatment of headaches, sciatica, head injuries, arthritis, spinal disc disease and spinal stenosis and involvement in the diagnosis of neurological disorders such as myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis.
Evaluation of the role of other organ systems like the thyroid, cardiovascular and respiratory systems in musculoskeletal complaints.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) using Still Technique, Muscle Energy, Counterstrain and Cranial osteopathy.
We also provide when appropriate:
Joint, tendon and ligament injections.
Peripheral nerve blocks.
Prolotherapy.
Basic exercise and stretch prescription
Self treatments.
Non-Medicare Cash prices for an office visit and treatment*
New Patient: $470.00
Returning Patient: $335.00
* Does not include injections.
We are non-participating Medicare providers. We charge 110% of the normal and expected Medicare rate. We expect to be paid at the time of service. We will bill Medicare and you can expect to be repaid around 70% of the charge by Medicare. If you have a secondary they can elect to pay you part of the remaining balance. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan you may need to send the bill to your insurer yourself. Whether they choose to reimburse you is dependent on the terms of your plan.
Typical rates in Florida are two times that of Medicare.
Some Motor vehicle insurance policies pay 100% of the expected rate. Others pay 80%. If there is a balance we expect the remaining 20% at the time of service unless there is prior arrangement with our office, your lawyer or the other party's insurance company
7/1/2020: We are no longer participating providers with Aetna Insurance.
6/18/2018: After more than 9 years at the Tamiami Trail location our office has moved. Our new medical office is at 1217 S. East Avenue, Suite 310, Sarasota.
03/20/2009: For those Patients who were last seen when the practice was on Bee Ridge Road please note that our new address is 2900 S. Tamiami Trail
Question: Do you bill my insurance company even when I pay cash?
VBOsteo: Yes, if you ask us to. In many cases your are more likely to be repaid by your insurer in a timely fashion if you send your claim yourself. In that case we will provide you with the claim and notes as needed. Remember that just because we bill them doesn't mean they will pay.
Question: Do you take Medicare?
VBOsteo: We are Non-Participating providers for Medicare. This means that we do not accept assignment. We expect to be paid up front. Our charges are what Medicare allows for non-participating providers. We do bill Medicare for you and Medicare will reimburse you part of your expense. Your secondary most likely will also reimburse you their part. Typically a small portion of what you paid us will not be reimbursed. This is generally less than 10% of what you paid us.
Questiion: Do you take Medicare Replacement or Medicare Advantage Plans?
VBOsteo: No. We are happy to see patients with Medicare Replacement Plans. We require payment at the time of service. We use the same charge structure used for regular Medicare patients. We do not participate in any of these Medicare replacement plans. Some of them may reimburse you but unfortunately some of them chose not to reimburse for this practice's services. We have found that the most effective way for you to receive reimbursement is for you to submit the necessary paperwork yourself. We will provide you with any information including the billing charges and codes and if necessary the encounter notes.
Question: Do you take any regular medical insurance?
VBOsteo: We are not participating providers with any medical insurers. We do not take insurance payments from Aetna, Blue Cross, United Healthcare or Cigna. Because we are not participating providers for your insurer we expect payment at the time of service based on our fixed fee for service schedule (see above).
Question: What is your policy of missed office visits?
VBOsteo: If you know you are not going to be able to come at the scheduled time we ask that you notify us at least 24 hours in advance. We will offer a reschedule at that time. If a medical emergency prevents you from coming in for a scheduled office visit please let us know as soon as possible. In all other cases we may bill you $150 for the missed office visit.
In general we only use an officially HIPAA compliant Electronic Medical Record (EMR) to record your medical information. Our medical practice email is also HIPAA compliant. This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.
Your Rights
Your Choices
You have some choices in the way that we use and share information as we:
We may use and share your information as we:
Further information on Your Rights
When it comes to your health information, you have certain rights. This section explains your rights and some of our responsibilities to help you.
You can ask to see or get an electronic or paper copy of your medical record and other health information we have about you. Ask us how to do this.
We will provide a copy or a summary of your health information, usually within 30 days of your request. We may charge a reasonable, cost-based fee.
You can ask us to correct health information about you that you think is incorrect or incomplete. Ask us how to do this.
We may say “no” to your request, but we’ll tell you why in writing within 60 days.
You can ask us to contact you in a specific way (for example, home or office phone) or to send mail to a different address.
We will say “yes” to all reasonable requests.
You can ask us not to use or share certain health information for treatment, payment, or our operations. We are not required to agree to your request, and we may say “no” if it would affect your care.
If you pay for a service or health care item out-of-pocket in full, you can ask us not to share that information for the purpose of payment or our operations with your health insurer. We will say “yes” unless a law requires us to share that information.
You can ask for a list (accounting) of the times we’ve shared your health information for six years prior to the date you ask, who we shared it with, and why.
We will include all the disclosures except for those about treatment, payment, and health care operations, and certain other disclosures (such as any you asked us to make). We’ll provide one accounting a year for free but will charge a reasonable, cost-based fee if you ask for another one within 12 months.
You can ask for a paper copy of this notice at any time, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically. We will provide you with a paper copy promptly.
If you have given someone medical power of attorney or if someone is your legal guardian, that person can exercise your rights and make choices about your health information.
We will make sure the person has this authority and can act for you before we take any action.
You can complain if you feel we have violated your rights by contacting us using the information on this web site.
You can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights by sending a letter to 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201, calling 1-877-696-6775, or visiting www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/complaints/.
We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Your Choices
For certain health information, you can tell us your choices about what we share. If you have a clear preference for how we share your information in the situations described below, talk to us. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will follow your instructions.
In these cases, you have both the right and choice to tell us to:
If you are not able to tell us your preference, for example if you are unconscious, we may go ahead and share your information if we believe it is in your best interest. We may also share your information when needed to lessen a serious and imminent threat to health or safety.
In most cases we never share your information unless you give us written permission:
Our Uses and Disclosures
How do we typically use or share your health information?
We typically use or share your health information in the following ways.
We can use your health information and share it with other professionals who are treating you.
Example: A doctor treating you for an injury asks another doctor about your overall health condition.
· Run our organization
We can use and share your health information to run our practice, improve your care, and contact you when necessary.
Example: We use health information about you to manage your treatment and services.
We can use and share your health information to bill and get payment from health plans or other entities.
Example: We give information about you to your health insurance plan so it will pay for your services.
How else can we use or share your health information?
We are allowed or required to share your information in other ways – usually in ways that contribute to the public good, such as public health and research. We have to meet many conditions in the law before we can share your information for these purposes. For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html.
We can share health information about you for certain situations such as:
We can use or share your information for health research. Generally this information is stripped of all identifiers.
We will share information about you if state or federal laws require it, including with the Department of Health and Human Services if it wants to see that we’re complying with federal privacy law.
We can share health information about you with organ procurement organizations.
We can share health information with a coroner, medical examiner, or funeral director when an individual dies.
We can use or share health information about you:
We can share health information about you in response to a court or administrative order, or in response to a subpoena.
Our Responsibilities
We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information.
We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy or security of your information.
We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in this notice and give you a copy of it.
We will not use or share your information other than as described here unless you tell us we can in writing. If you tell us we can, you may change your mind at any time. Let us know in writing if you change your mind.
For more information see: www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/noticepp.html.
Changes to the Terms of this Notice
We can change the terms of this notice, and the changes will apply to all information we have about you. The new notice will be available upon request, in our office, and on our web site.
Richard L. Van Buskirk, DO
November 9, 2018