Frequently Asked Questions
For those of you familiar with Drs. Van Meter and
Weiss, you know they truly care about their patients’
well being. To those of you new to their care, you
may have a few questions about how they practice medicine:
Q. May I come in for a free introductory
consultation?
A. Of course. We welcome the opportunity
to meet with you to discuss your health care needs,
at no charge to you for this initial consultation.
Q. Why should I join your new practice?
A. You will have our undivided attention
and the benefit of our combined 50 years of experience
in disease detection, illness prevention and patient
wellness. We will streamline your care, coordinate
with specialists and “quarterback” your
medical needs.
Q. What is the purpose of an enrollment fee?
A. The enrollment fee represents
the basis for a mutual respect contract between us.
We will limit the number of patients we care for in
order to guarantee your easy and frequent access to
us. This allows you to take a more involved role in
staying healthy and becoming an active partner in
your health care. The enrollment fee enables us to
remove the hassles and stress of navigating the health
care maze for you.
Q. Is the annual enrollment fee tax deductible?
A. Please consult with your employer and
tax advisor to determine if you are eligible to receive
reimbursement for your enrollment fee. Many companies
have a Flex Plan (Section 125) or a Medical IRA allowing
you to pay with before tax dollars.
Q. May I join your practice at any time?
A. Yes. You may join us at any time, but
our practice is filling quickly. We encourage you
to make the decision soon. We will limit the size
of our practice to best accommodate our patients,
and maintain a waiting list once we are fully subscribed.
Q. Will I still need medical insurance?
A. Yes. You will need to have medical insurance
in case of hospitalization or a referral to another
physician (i.e. gynecologist, dermatologist, cardiologist).
When we see you for medical care, California regulations
require that we bill you or your insurance for services
rendered.
Q. What insurance will work best?
A. PPO (Preferred Provider Organization),
indemnity plans and Medicare coverage are the best
options to coordinate your care. Unlike some managed
care plans and some Point-of-Service (POS), they do
not require your primary care physician to be from
their network. If you belong to an HMO, please contact
our office directly to discuss how we can provide
your care.
Q. What if I have an emergency on a weekend
or after normal business hours?
A. We are here for you 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. You can always contact us directly by
cell phone, e-mail or pager. If we recommend you go
to the hospital Emergency Department, we will be in
close contact with the treating physician and see
you there as necessary.
Q. How does the Annual Physical work with
the Enrollment fee?
A. Included in your annual fee is a full
preventative annual physical. We will bill your insurance
for the physical and will reimburse you directly via
check or credit your account as the insurance pays
for the physical.
If we have not answered your questions, please
call us at (714) 379-8585.
