What is the average waiting time before my appointment? Why is there a wait?
The waiting time in our office is usually 25-30 minutes. We do our best to minimize waiting times in our office by allocating adequate time for each patient, but at times you might wait longer due to unforeseen events such as the need to talk to family members or referring physicians. In office procedures can also contribute to extended waiting times. You can help us to reduce the waiting time in our office by following a few simple guidelines.
- Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes earlier for your appointment for necessary paper works. Late arrivals will derail other scheduled appointments.
- If you are late more than 10-15 minutes we might need to reschedule you.
- Please bring the completed new patient form and questionnaire with you to your appointment. If you decide to fill in the paper work in our office, it can add 30-45 minutes to your waiting time and will derail other scheduled appointments.
What if my labs or imaging are not available by my follow-up visit?
In your follow-up visit, if the ordered labs or imaging are not available, we have to reschedule you. A good rule of thumb is to do the diagnostic studies one week before your follow up visit.
How much time do I have with Dr. Sabahi during a follow up visit?
All follow-up patients are scheduled in 25-30 minutes intervals and your follow-up visit with Dr. Sabahi will range between 20-25 minutes. We encourage you to ask questions during your visit in order to make an informed decision, but please be aware of other patient’s time. We might not be able to address all of your concerns in one session.
Why is there a longer wait when I am scheduled as an “urgent add-on visit”?
If you are scheduled as an “urgent add on visit”, please note that you are being added between other scheduled patients. It is likely that your waiting time will be considerably longer than normal.
What is your policy regarding appointment cancellations?
If you need to cancel an appointment, please call 2 business days before your appointment. For example, if your appointment is on Tuesday please call the Friday before to cancel. This allows us time to schedule another patient that needs to be seen earlier and you will avoid the no show fee.
I left a voicemail at the office, when will I hear back?
We will return your telephone call within 48 business hours for regular calls and within 24 business hours if it is considered urgent by Dr. Sabahi.
Can a family member discuss my condition with the office over the phone?
We will not be able to discuss your condition with your relatives over the phone to protect your privacy.
Do I have to schedule an office visit to discuss lab results or to receive a diagnosis?
We cannot discuss complicated lab results with you over the phone or by email. We cannot provide a diagnosis or change your therapeutic regime by phone or email. This is to prevent misunderstandings, undue stress, and medical errors. Labs and images should be interpreted in a clinical context. We can only fax or email you lab results if you have signed the necessary authorization form in our office.
Why can’t you refer me to any other physician? Why do I have to go to certain lab and imaging centers?
If you have an HMO, we cannot refer you to any other physician. You will be required by your insurance provider to go to certain laboratories and imaging centers. Almost every procedure and all follow-up visits will need to be authorized. This means extra waiting time.
What are authorization delays? Can my insurance reject a requested medication or procedure?
Some insurance carriers have preferred medication lists or preferred pharmacies. At times we may need to get authorization for MRIs or certain medications. Biologic medications almost always need preapproval. Your insurance might reject the requested medication or procedure. In that case we might choose to appeal the decision or accept it. The approximate time for approval authorization at times might take up to 15 business days.
