Mini-Visit:

Mini-Visits are literally “in-and-out” visits for issues such as uninary tract infections, ear infections, or a joint sprain. Duration of these visits is usually about 5-10 minutes.

Standard Consultation:

These are slightly more complicated or lengthier than mini-visits and are focused on a single, acute problem or follow-up for a chronic condition. Examples would be an acute bronchitis or a focused follow-up visit for high blood pressure. Standard consultations typically last 15-20 minutes.

Extended Consultation:

Most visits for patients with chronic conditions will fall into this category. The conventional “physical exam” can generally be performed as an extended consultation. Other examples include more complex follow-up visits for conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure. Visits for acute problems that are more complex or for more than one issue would also be extended consultations. Many procedures can be completed in this time frame, including a gynecological exam, removal of a skin lesion, or a joint injection. These visits typically last about 30 minutes.

Comprehensive Consultation:

Comprehensive preventive care visits or consultations fall under this category. Such a visit might include a wide ranging discussion of multiple medical problems and conventional as well as “alternative” options for evaluation and treatment. Another example is review of multiple chronic medical problems as well as a procedure such as mole removal or joint injection or a focused acupuncture treatment. These visits typically last approximately 1 hour.

Procedures and Tests:

Nominal fees will be charged for the few laboratory and other diagnostic tests done in our office (for example, ECG, urinalysis, rapid strep test, pregnancy test, TB test). The cost of each of these tests ranges from approximately $10-50.

Procedures such as joint injections or skin biopsies will usually be billed at the level of extended consultation or comprehensive consultation, depending on the complexity and time required. We reserve the right to include additional fees for administration of certain medications, however, these are usually included in the consultation fee. We will obtain your consent before performing procedures for which an extra fee will be charged.

Immunizations require additional fees and you'll be advised of these in advance also.

Finally, certain other tests and procedures, such as in-office cholesterol tests, spirometry (pulmonary function test), wart cryotherapy, ear lavage, and some other procedures will require a small additional fee to cover the cost of our materials and equipment.

Acupuncture (see also Acupuncture tab, above)

You may desire acupuncture as part of your treatment. Since our acupuncture fees are based on a similar hourly consultation rate, you would be charged only based on the level of consultation provided, with no extra fee for acupuncture treatment. The needles are on us!

Lab services and other diagnostic studies done elsewhere

We offer only limited diagnostic studies in our office (among them urinalysis, microscopic analysis, pregnancy testing, strep testing). Should your problem require culture or pathologic analysis, you'll be informed, and the specimen will be sent to Labcorp. Labcorp will bill you directly for their services. We do not provide phlebotomy services at our office. Should your condition require imaging studies, other diagnostic testing, or blood or other lab tests, we'll arrange this testing with you. Your financial responsibility will be to the entity providing services to you.

Payment terms and sliding scale

In general payment in full is due at time of service, however, payment terms can be arranged in some cases. Sliding scale is also available – ask for our questionnaire to see if you qualify.