Frequently Asked Questions

You can view a full list of insurances HERE. If you are 65+ and do not see your insurance listed, please call our patient relations specialists. (805) 702-8337

We are glad you asked! Becoming a patient is easy. We broke it down into steps based on your insurance. Click HERE to see how step by step process.

Absolutely. As a patient of ours, you can schedule an appointment with any of our providers at any of our locations. 

Yes, you can see any of our providers in the office regardless of who is on the insurance card. We send out bills to your insurance carrier as one group, Primary Medical Group, not as a specific provider.

Whenever possible, we will be developing online tools so that you can fill out and sign any paperwork on our computer or smartphone. 

​At your first visit we will ask you to complete a patient information sheet and a health history form so we can create a patient medical record for you. We also ask that you verify this information annually to make sure that the information we have such as address and phone number are up to date in our system. 

​You may also be asked at your visit to read and sign a Patient Responsibility Agreement. There are times we are unable to verify your particular insurance benefits for visits such as physicals or procedures. This agreement will inform you at the time of visit the estimated amount that you may be responsible to pay to Primary Medical after your insurance company pays their portion of the medical expenses. We encourage you to reach out to your insurance plan before your visit so they may explain your particular coverage for your appointment. 

For Medicare patients you may be asked to read and sign a Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN). This is also a form that will give you information on visits or procedures that Medicare may not cover. We encourage you to reach out to Medicare before you visit so they may explain your particular coverage for your appointment. 

We understand that sometimes patients are late for their appointments. We ask that you please call us as soon as possible to inform us that you are running late. In addition, we ask for your understanding if we need to reschedule your appointment. In some instances if you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment time we may advise you that your appointment will be canceled so that our providers can maintain their schedule with other patients that have arrived on time. When in doubt, give us a call, we will be more than happy to work out a solution that suits everyone.

Please notify our office at least 24 hours in advance if you are unable to keep your appointment. You may be charged if you cancel less than 24 hours in advance or if you do not show up to a scheduled appointment.

Office policy for refills is a 72 hour notice for non-controlled prescriptions and 5 days for controlled prescriptions such as narcotics, stimulants and medication for sleep. Most prescriptions are refilled the same day as received, but due to high volume of requests this may take up to 72 hours. Best practice is to request a prescription before you run out early so your pharmacy and our office have plenty of time to process your request.

Yes we do. 

Nurse Practitioners are dedicated to bridging the gaps in healthcare to meet the needs of patients in California by working independently and in collaboration with physicians they diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions, prescribe medications, educate and counsel patients of healthcare issues.

Nurse Practitioner training was first developed 40 years ago. Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses, with advanced education and advanced clinical training, most with master’s or post master’s degrees. Nurse Practitioners play a critical role in meeting California’s medical needs.

Working hand-in-hand with other professionals, Nurse Practitioners improve the flexibility and responsiveness and efficiency of our health care system. Because of their focus on primary care, disease prevention, and counseling, Nurse Practitioners serve as health care first responders for many families, from weight management, blood pressure, dangerous infections to injuries.

Physician assistants (PAs) are medical providers who are licensed to diagnose and treat illness and disease and prescribe medication for patients. PAs work in physician offices, hospitals and clinics in collaboration with a licensed physician. Because of their advanced education in general medicine, modeled after physician education, PAs can treat patients with significant autonomy within the physician/PA relationship.

In the primary care setting, PAs can provide almost all of the clinical services that physicians provide, including performing physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses and prescribing medications. PAs work together with physicians as part of an integrated medical team. PAs have their own patients and, under a written agreement with a licensed physician, make clinical decisions and provide a broad range of diagnostic, therapeutic, preventive and health maintenance services.

The physician-PA team relationship is fundamental to the PA profession and enhances the delivery of high-quality health care.

HIPAA is the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The primary goal of the law is to make it easier for people to keep health insurance, protect the confidentiality and security of healthcare information and help the healthcare industry control administrative costs.

Please contact one of our offices for our latest HIPAA policy.