FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are your office hours?
We are open Monday through Friday from 9 am – 5 pm. We are closed for lunch 12:30 – 1:30 pm. We also are closed for major holidays

If I miss an appointment, is there a cancellation fee?
Yes, our cancellation fee is $125. Appointment changes or cancellations must be at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. For Monday appointments we need to be notified the prior Friday to avoid a cancellation fee. Homeopathic Constitutionals must be canceled 48 hours in advance to avoid a charge of $300. Appointment must be cancelled by phone.

Do you have after-hours coverage?
Yes!  
On nights, weekends and holidays call 415-229-7793 for free phone advice from a pediatric nurse or to schedule an appointment at an Urgent Care Department.  
One of our doctors is always on call and can be reached for emergencies by asking the pediatric advice nurse at the above number to page us.  For less urgent matters, please leave a message on the answering machine at the office and the doctor on call will call you back within 1-2 hours before 9 PM.

If your child needs to be seen on an evening or weekend we recommend:
1. Golden Gate Urgent Care in the Mill Valley location only. 750 Redwood Hwy #1204, Mill Valley, CA 94941 at the Strawberry shopping center. Appointments can be made by phone at 415-384-4778 or online at www.goldengateurgentcare.com.  This clinic can draw labs, take x-rays and dispense many prescribed medications.
Marin patients: The after-hours clinic is located at 1260 South Eliseo in Greenbrae.
San Francisco patients: The after-hours clinic is located at the corner of California and Cherry. Please tell the advice nurse you are a San Francisco family and they can make the appointment at the correct clinic.
2.  Pediatric Emergency Room:  We recommend the California Pacific Medical Center:  California Campus  3700 California St.   San Francisco  415-600-2100
3.  East Bay:  Oakland Children’s Hospital Urgent Care and ER 510-428-3000. 

Can I get a same day appointment if my child is sick? 
Yes, we have space every day for same day-sick visits. However, your appointment may not be with your primary doctor.

Will I be able to talk to the doctor over the telephone? 
Yes. Our doctors and staff return phone calls throughout the day to give simple phone advice and to determine whether you need to come in. If your question requires a longer conversation, we will ask you to schedule a phone consultation.

Do you do house calls? 

Yes, on a case-by-case basis.  Please call for further information.

What insurance do you take?
We are contracted providers for:
 • Blue Shield PPO
 • Blue Cross PPO
 • Cigna PPO
 • United Health Care PPO
 • Aetna PPO
If you are a member of these plans we will bill your insurance and you are responsible only for your co-pay and deductible. For other PPOs we will bill your insurance for you. You are responsible for the portion not covered by your plan.

Do you take Medi-Cal insurance?
Not at this time.

Do you ever do one-time consultations?
Yes. Occasionally we have time for one-time consultations. Each situation will be evaluated on an individual basis. Please contact our office at 415-380-8448 to inquire.

Do you have payment plans or sliding scale?
Yes

May I bring friends to The Secret Garden lectures or monthly events?
Yes. Though our lectures and monthly events are not open to the public, we welcome your friends and family.