You Have Questions, I Have Answers
Here are some frequently asked questions that I tend to receive. If you still have something you’d like to know, feel free to contact me for more details.
Easy, just go to the Schedule page and pick a time. When you submit a request for an appointment I will need to approve it before it is confirmed for that time. I can typically confirm appointment requests within 24 hours.
With very rare exceptions, yes. And I don’t even know what those exceptions would be, but maybe there are some that I would decide on a case-by-case basis.
There are 11 systems generally recognized in the body (circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, immune, etc.). Whatever the disease, one or probably several of these systems have gotten out of balance. Once disease is reduced to an imbalance in the underlying system(s), then the therapies to help restore the balance become clear.
There is a messaging system built into the charting software I use, called ChARM. Patients can message me through that system. However, I have learned that it can be dangerous for patients to have unlimited access to their doctor. There are some important caveats that every patient must agree to.
I will not/cannot do patient management over messaging. It is intended only for clarifications and quick – preferably yes/no – questions.
I limit messaging from any patient to 5 between visits. If you are needing more guidance than 5 messages can answer, schedule a consult.
I limit messages to 1000 words. If you have something going on more complex than 1000 words can describe, you need to set up a consultation.
I have time to check messages about once every 3 or 4 days. If you need an answer more urgently than that, set up a consultation.
If you are messaging about a new symptom, don’t bother. Set up a consultation.
I want patients to feel that they can reach me, but I can’t spend my evenings and weekends answering messages.
No. Insurance is a no-win game. Insurance dictates how physicians provide service and they have crappy reimbursement for the work doctors do. For patients it is a classic example of “you can’t live with it, and you can’t live without it.” I can provide you with a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for total or partial reimbursement as an “out-of-network provider.” But my business is cash only.
Once your appointment is confirmed you will receive an invitation to the patient portal. It will be sent to the email you provide when requesting the appointment. Once you have logged into the portal you will see a tab labeled “Documents.” Use that to upload any labs or other documents you feel would be helpful for me to review prior to our appointment. Please do this at least 4 days in advance of the scheduled consultation. Also, note that uploaded documents do not automatically get “Shared” with me. Be sure to designate that I am your provider and you want to share the document with me.
You will also receive the Intake Form, which you can fill out online. It is extremely important that you fill this form out completely. I will read every word written there prior to our initial consultation. And again, please fill that out at least 4 days in advance of our scheduled consultation.