Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you need a referral will be decided by your insurance company. Please learn more about those insurances here. 

You can make an appointment online by using our online self-scheduling tool or by calling us at 803-736-3277. 

To reschedule or cancel your appointment, please call us at 803-736-3277.

If you have insurance and do not require a referral to see a specialist, our same-day clinics offer a convenient option for ENT care. Walk-ins are welcome in Downtown Columbia, Orangeburg, Irmo, and Sumter, and same-day appointments are available at all nine of our locations.

Allergy season in Columbia follows the broader South Carolina pattern, often beginning as early as February due to the region’s mild climate. During the spring season (February–May), tree pollen is the leading trigger. Summer allergies (May–August) are driven mainly by grass pollen, while fall allergies (August–November) are dominated by weed pollen, especially ragweed. The most intense allergy activity typically occurs in April (tree pollen peak), June (grass pollen peak), and September (weed pollen peak).

At SCENT, our physicians are trained to pinpoint allergy triggers through allergy testing, allowing your care team to create a personalized treatment plan for you. 

Our office accepts a variety of HMOs, PPOs, and other health plans. Learn more about those insurances here. If you do not see your insurance on this list, or have a question about whether a particular service is covered, please call our office.

Yes - We accept patients with Medicaid. Please view accepted plans here.

Yes – We accept patients with Medicare. Please view accepted plans here.

Yes, we accept cash-pay patients. In this case, you have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Learn more about the good faith estimate here.

Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. Learn more about the good faith estimate here. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services site, or call 1-800-985-3059.

Before your new patient appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if you need a referral to be seen by one of our ENT specialists. Complete pre-registration online or download the New Patient Forms and complete any form that you need for your first appointment.

Arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment. Bring your insurance card and a form of identification, a list of any medications you take, and a summary of your medical condition. Feel free to bring in a written list of symptoms you are experiencing or any questions you may have for the ENT physician.

During your consultation, your ENT provider will review your symptoms, medical history, and any previous test results. They’ll discuss what you’ve been experiencing, perform an exam, and recommend next steps, such as imaging, allergy testing, or treatment options tailored to your needs.

At your first visit, an ENT specialist will examine areas related to your ears, nose, throat, and sinuses. This may include looking inside your nose or throat with a small lighted scope, checking your ears, evaluating breathing or swallowing concerns, and discussing any ongoing issues. The goal is to identify the cause of your symptoms and create an effective treatment plan.

The length of your visit will depend on your symptoms and whether any diagnostic tests are needed during the visit. 

We pride ourselves on providing our patients with prompt service and compassionate medical care. We are also committed to seeing new patients within a week. However, if you have insurance and do not require a referral to see a specialist, our same-day clinics offer a convenient option for ENT care — same-day appointments are available at all nine of our locations. Additionally, walk-ins are welcome in Downtown Columbia, Orangeburg, Irmo, and Sumter.