Check before you book — it takes one phone call
Have your insurance card in front of you and call (951) 303-6158. Read us the plan name, the member ID and the group number from the card, and tell us what the visit is for. We will tell you what we can confirm and, if there is anything we cannot, we will tell you that too rather than guess.
It is worth doing this even if you have been told you are covered. A plan that covers a preventive visit may not cover the same visit once another problem is discussed during it.
Medicare
We accept assignment on all Medicare claims. We file your claims to Medicare and Medicare pays its portion directly to our office.
After Medicare pays, you will receive an Explanation of Benefits from them, and we will send you a statement for any deductible you owe plus the 20% co-insurance Medicare does not pay.
Secondary insurance
If you give us your secondary insurance details, we will be happy to file those claims for you. Please bring both cards to your appointment and let the front desk know which is primary.
Paying for your visit
Payment for services, including any co-payment, is due at the time of your visit and is collected on the day you see the doctor. We accept cash, Visa and MasterCard. Unpaid charges are billed on a monthly statement and are due on receipt.
If paying is difficult
Please talk to us rather than avoid the appointment. If you need to spread the cost, call our office manager on (951) 303-6158 ext 5 and we will make every effort to agree a payment schedule that works for you. That conversation is confidential and it is a normal one to have.
Preventive visits and hidden co-pays
Many plans cover a preventive care visit — a routine physical and immunizations — with no co-payment. But if you discuss symptoms of an acute or chronic problem during that visit, that part is considered diagnostic, and a co-payment will usually apply.
We think it is better to deal with a real concern the day you raise it than to send you away and book you back. So please be aware that a preventive visit which turns into a diagnostic one may carry a co-payment, and ask at the front desk if you would like to know where you stand before the doctor sees you.
Referrals need authorization in advance
If your plan requires a formal referral to see a specialist, our office must authorize it in advance. Please give us and your insurance company a few days to process the paperwork. If you are not sure whether your plan requires a referral, call your insurer or call us.
Forms and paperwork
There is a $50 fee for completing forms intended for use outside your medical record — employment forms, disability paperwork, Social Security forms and FMLA paperwork. This is not usually covered by insurance and is payable to the office.