Frequently Asked Questions

​

If your question isn't answered here, please contact us via email or call our staff during business hours, (707) 433-5511.

​

1.  If I have private insurance, how does billing work when I am seen for a visit?

If you have private insurance, you are responsible for payment of services received in our office at the time of the visit. As a courtesy, we then bill your insurance and you will receive a notification from them regarding any refund you may be eligible to receive or the amount that may be credited toward your deductible. 

​

2. If I have Medicare and join the practice, do I have to pay for my visits at the time of service?

No. Medicare is billed first for your visit. Then, for those who have a secondary insurance, the secondary is billed for the remainder of the visit charges. Usually, patients are only responsible to pay something to our office during their initial deductible period at the beginning of each year if they have not yet met their deductible. Only if you request a service that is not covered by Medicare will you receive a bill from our office with an explanation of what service was not covered. This is very uncommon and you will have been made aware of such a situation before the services were rendered.

​

3. If my doctor refers me for labs, imaging studies or to visit a specialist, is that care covered under my insurance?

Usually it is covered because we make every effort to refer you to a provider contracted with your insurance company.

​

4. If I am hospitalized, will my doctor see me in the hospital?

If you are hospitalized, your doctor remains involved, coordinating care with the hospitalist physicians and other specialists taking care of you. Your doctor is available by phone to hospitalized patients, yet is not usually able to visit you while in the hospital. We review all progress notes, imaging studies and lab results, helping patients and families understand what’s happening. We help you coordinate your care with the hospitalist and any specialists that may be involved while you are in the hospital and helps coordinate your care as you return home.

​

5.  Is my membership in the practice like an insurance policy?

Your membership is not a health insurance policy. All patients should have health insurance in case of an unforeseen, potentially expensive medical emergency. Having Dr. Vargas or Dr. Dudenhoeffer as your advocate, however, has been likened to having a fire insurance policy you hope never to need, yet which makes you feel safe and at peace because you know it's there.

​

6. Can I pay my membership fee with a credit card?

We can accept a credit card payment for membership fees. However, a 3% surcharge is added to your bill to reflect the processing fee charged by your credit card company.