First Visit

What to bring:

  1. Completed New Patient Packet
  2. Insurance card
  3. Photo identification
  4. A form of payment. Co-pays, co-insurance and unmet deductibles are due on the day that services are rendered. Please inquire about your estimated patient responsibility prior to receiving services. Credit & debit cards, HSA cards, cash and checks are acceptable.
  5. Medical records of any previous allergy treatment, including prior allergy testing results, blood work, written reports of X-Rays, CT scans, and MRI's as well as pulmonary function tests. List of current or prior allergy medications or prescriptions.

Skin Testing Procedures:

If you are a candidate for allergy skin testing (foods, pollens, dust mites, animals, molds, insect venom, Penicillin) please review the following: Please eat a normal diet and wear clothing that allows exposure of the entire length of the arms. (Gowns are available if necessary). You may wish to bring a light jacket or sweater to cover the exposed test site when you leave the office. Parents of young children may want to bring a favorite toy or stuffed animal.

We kindly ask that you do not take any medications that contain antihistamines for at least 5 days prior to your visit. These medications can interfere with testing of allergies and render the skin test less reliable. If your symptoms are intolerable without these medications, please continue to take all your medications! The doctor will examine you and find an alternative method to pursue allergy testing.

List of medications to be discontinued:

  • Antihistamines : Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Allegra (fexofenadine), Clarinex, Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Atarax (hydroxyzine), Palgic, Rynatan, Deconamine, Tylenol PM, Periactin, Xyzal (levocetirizine), Sinequan (doxepin)
  • Cough and cold preparation with antihistamines : Tylenol/Advil Cold and Allergy, Nyquil, Alka-Selzer Cold and Allergy, Thera-flu Night Time, Robitussin, Triaminic
  • Medications for reflux or gastritis that are histamine blockers : Pepcid (famotidine), Zantac (ranitidine), Tagamet (cimetidine).
  • Antihistamine nasal sprays : Patanase, Astelin (stop only two days before skin test), Astepro
  • Antihistamine eye drops : Patanol, Pataday, Bepreve, Optivar, Zaditor
  • Certain antidepressants , such as amitriptyline and doxepin (Sinequan)
  • Again, if your symptoms are intolerable, continue taking all your medications.
  • Do not stop taking:
  • Asthma medications: all inhalers, Singulair
  • Steroid nasal sprays: Nasonex, Flonase (fluticasone), Nasacort, Rhinocort, Omnaris, Veramyst
  • Other medications prescribed by your physicians for treatment of other medical conditions
  • Plain Sudafed (red OTC 30mg tabs), Mucinex, Mucinex-D, Mucinex-DM, Delsym

If you are unsure about a medication, please read the label or call our office.

We accept a variety of insurance plans:

PPO plans:

  • Anthem Blue Cross (Not in network for Covered CA PPO plans)
  • Blue Shield of California (Not in network for Covered CA PPO plans)
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Health Net
  • United Health Care
  • ILWU
  • Pinnacle Claims Mgmt
  • Motion Picture Industry
  • Most other PPO or private insurance plans

Medicare

HMO plans:

  • Health Net Covered CA HMO - Community Care "Direct Network: So Calif"
  • TriWest/TriCare

Out of network or no insurance:

Cash discounts and payment plans are available. Please inquire with our billing department. *If you do not see your plan listed, please call our billing department at (310) 371-1388 ext. 20 and we will be happy to verify coverage or make alternate arrangements.

Appointment Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy

Our staff and doctors make every effort to be timely and we do not double book your appointment time. In order to accommodate the scheduling needs of all patients, if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, kindly give us notice at least 2 business days prior to your appointment, by phone at (310) 371-1388 ext. 11 or by email at: [email protected] .

We look forward to seeing you!