About Your Visit
Your first visit is a lengthy one. Realizing that this an important evaluation, we will schedule approximately two hours of office time. If you are visiting the office for allergies, allergy skin testing is generally recommended.Since antihistamines interfere with testing, please do not take any medications containing antihistamines for six full days prior to your appointment. If stopping the antihistamines presents a problem you can discuss this with our staff when scheduling your appointment. If you do take an antihistamine prior to your appointment please keep your appointment with the doctor. We can reschedule the skin testing for a later date with our nursing staff.
At your initial visit the doctor will do a review of history with analysis of past records if available, a physical examination from the waist up with emphasis on the organ system of most concern, laboratory examination and a lung function determination for patients with chest complaints.
After the exam and testing is done the doctor will make specific recommendations regarding methods of avoidance of various allergens, such as pollens(trees,grass,weeds), house dust, animal danders, molds and mite. Topics frequently discussed include the use of vacuums, allergy covers for mattress and pillows, air purifers, etc.
Patients with strong positive skin tests and symptoms affecting their daily life may be candidates for immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Medications can play a major role in controlling allergy symptoms. Emphasis is on using those medications which protect the body against the development of symptoms rather than medications that are simply used to reverse symptoms that are already present. We will discuss with you the most effective way to utilize medications to prevent your allergies and asthma, while at the same time minimizing the need for further medications that tend to be used for acute symptoms.
New Patients can print and fill out medical forms prior to your visit at our forms page.
After the exam and testing is done the doctor will make specific recommendations regarding methods of avoidance of various allergens, such as pollens(trees,grass,weeds), house dust, animal danders, molds and mite. Topics frequently discussed include the use of vacuums, allergy covers for mattress and pillows, air purifers, etc.
Patients with strong positive skin tests and symptoms affecting their daily life may be candidates for immunotherapy (allergy shots).
Medications can play a major role in controlling allergy symptoms. Emphasis is on using those medications which protect the body against the development of symptoms rather than medications that are simply used to reverse symptoms that are already present. We will discuss with you the most effective way to utilize medications to prevent your allergies and asthma, while at the same time minimizing the need for further medications that tend to be used for acute symptoms.
New Patients can print and fill out medical forms prior to your visit at our forms page.
All HMOs and EPOs (PPO can have HMO requirements) require REFERRALS prior to seeing a specialist. Due to the complexity in obtaining referrals, all referrals must be received in our office prior to scheduling appointments. We realize that this may cause some inconvenience and frustration while waiting for a referral. But it is important to realize that without the correct referral, your doctor will not be paid for providing these services to you. You could be fully responsible for the cost of the visit.
Traditional PPO plans do not require referrals. Yet there are many new changes and creative coverage with this new generation of insurance plans. So if you are uncertain about your coverage, please contact your insurance company. We are contracted with most insurance plans. If you have HMO coverage you are assigned to a MEDICAL GROUP based on your choice of primary care physicians. Medical groups have additional rules and regulations for coverage. For example each Health Net HMO patient is required to follow guidelines based on the medical group and the primary care physician (HEALTHNET-Sutter, Direct, Sonoma County Primary Care). Each medical group has different referral rules. We are contracted with most local medical groups including, Sutter, Sonoma County Primary Care, and Sonoma Direct Network.
Traditional PPO plans do not require referrals. Yet there are many new changes and creative coverage with this new generation of insurance plans. So if you are uncertain about your coverage, please contact your insurance company. We are contracted with most insurance plans. If you have HMO coverage you are assigned to a MEDICAL GROUP based on your choice of primary care physicians. Medical groups have additional rules and regulations for coverage. For example each Health Net HMO patient is required to follow guidelines based on the medical group and the primary care physician (HEALTHNET-Sutter, Direct, Sonoma County Primary Care). Each medical group has different referral rules. We are contracted with most local medical groups including, Sutter, Sonoma County Primary Care, and Sonoma Direct Network.
Referral Policy
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Offices Located in Santa Rosa and Petaluma, CA
