Frequently Asked Questions
For Parents
For a list of pediatric-specific services offered at my practice, CLICK HERE.
See Pediatric Services
I follow the vaccine schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Very rarely. I am a strong proponent of vaccinating children at the appropriate intervals in order to prevent disease development.
They will be seen by one of the pediatricians employed by the hospital. You can make your first appointment with me usually 2-3 days after discharge.
Absolutely, as it is one of the most important things you can do for your newborn to keep them healthy. I work with several lactation consultants in the area to whom I refer when needed. However, I recognize that not all women are able to breastfeed successfully and in these situations I work with the parents to help determine the best feeding plan for their child and their family.
About My Practice
My goal is to provide the highest-quality medical care and service, emphasizing a proactive, comprehensive approach to both disease prevention and wellness. I strive to provide excellence in internal medicine and pediatric care that is both compassionate and truly patient-focused. From the moment you enter my office, I want you and your family to be completely satisfied with every aspect of care.
I have intentionally limited the size of my practice in order to devote more time to each patient’s care and individual needs. I also offer certain non-covered amenities and benefits designed to personalize and enhance the health care experience. Patients will have little or no office waiting room time, and appointments will start promptly. This practice model also enables me to schedule longer adult patient appointments (approximately 30 minutes for routine appointments and 60 minutes for the Comprehensive Annual Health Assessment). If an issue requires extra time for evaluation or discussion, I will accommodate patients to the best of my ability. Importantly, patients are able to always contact me directly on my personal cell phone and email, making it easier than ever to communicate.
The difference lies primarily in the training. Similar to a “double major” in college, doctors pursing a Med/Peds career must complete at least 4 years of residency following medical school, fulfill all requirements for both an internal medicine and a pediatrics residency, and then take exams to receive dual certifications from the Internal Medicine and Pediatric boards. For Family Practice, at least 3 years of residency following medical school is needed to fulfill requirements before taking exams for certification by the Family Practice board. Med/Peds training includes a focus on caring for patients with highly complex medical conditions, and extensive preparation for pediatric patient care. Family Practice physicians receive training on basic surgical skills and procedures, and the routine delivery of infants.
With dual board certification in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and almost two decades of clinical experience, I offer a unique, continuous approach to patient care from birth through adulthood. The transition from pediatric to adult care is frequently difficult at a traditional practice, especially if patients have physical, medical, developmental or cognitive special needs. At my concierge Med/Peds practice, patients receive prompt attention and highly individualized care at every point along the age continuum, in an environment designed to make all feel comfortable and at ease.
Hospital care in our area has changed significantly in the last decade. If you need to be hospitalized, you’ll be admitted under the direction of a hospitalist who manages inpatient care for that hospital. I will, however, be available for direct contact with you and your hospital team, and will visit you if allowed by the hospital.
Patient-Focused Experience
All appointments are scheduled for at least 30 minutes and can be extended to an hour if needed. Please note: I will never double book patients unless an absolute emergency occurs.
The best way is to call our office during normal operating hours. However, patients may also send a text to our main number and will receive a call back that day or the next during normal business hours.
I do not have dedicated evening and weekend hours but I am always available directly during those times and if an in person visit is needed, I can open the office to make that happen.
Patients can call or text me directly after hours with any urgent or emergency situations. There is not an on-call service or nurse. You will reach me directly. Non-emergent issues will be handled during the next business day.
If something comes up and you cannot make a scheduled appointment, just kindly call or text the office and we will cancel your appointment at no charge to you.
Please know that you can contact me at any time. However, if you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. You can then call me or ask the hospital personnel to contact me so I may assist in your care. If you have a non-urgent problem, feel free to contact me first.
If the problem is minor, call me first. However, if you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately – then you can call me. With the exception of controlled substances, I will accommodate your prescription requests if state/ local law allows. If you seek care at an emergency room or urgent care center out of my area, you should feel free to ask the doctor seeing you to call me for coordination of your care. I will be readily available for phone consultation with you and/or other health care personnel. If you should require hospitalization while away, at your request, I will attempt to establish regular phone communication with you and your attending physician(s) to ensure continuity of care.
If you need a specialist, I will refer you to physicians that I would send my family members to, if needed. I also take into account your insurance plan and your location to help determine the best specialist for you. I am available to help you coordinate these consultations and ensure the most appropriate resource is used, the earliest arrangements are made, and your applicable medical information is sent in advance of your specialist visit.
My goal is to be available to my patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, there will be occasions when I am out of town or otherwise unavailable. In these situations, a trusted colleague will serve as my covering physician.
The majority of blood draws are done in our office at the time of your visit and are then sent to a lab that participates with your health insurance. If more specialized tests are needed, I will provide you with all the information needed to schedule these at an outside lab.
No, these are not offered at my practice.
Concierge Membership
Please see the Highlights & Details (Request doc) document for a complete list of amenities and benefits provided to my concierge patients and families. Your annual fee pays for those non-clinical, non-covered services. Professional services that are covered by Medicare or a commercial insurance plan will be billed separately, and you will continue to be responsible for any applicable co-pays or deductibles relating to those services. All medical procedures and services, whether performed in my office or by other providers or health care facilities, will be billed by the performing physician and/or entity.
The entire family is always welcome but you can also choose those family members who you feel may benefit most from the services provided.
Yes, please call the membership line 703-682-8261 for more information.
In most situations, yes, I will be able to see them. Just call my office to discuss the issue and the appropriate next steps.
Yes, and I highly encourage you to do so. I am available to all interested patients and families for an in-person or a virtual ‘meet and greet’ to get to know each other, discuss how this practice operates, and how I may be able to meet your healthcare needs. I will also be happy to schedule a complimentary meet and greet with expectant parents prior to your child being born. Call our office at 703-810-7166 to schedule.
Insurance
Yes. Your annual fee only pays for the non-clinical, non-covered amenities and benefits that are described in the Highlights Details document. Neither the fee nor the amenities take the place of general health insurance coverage. You are advised to continue your Medicare or other health insurance program coverage.
I participate with the majority of insurance plans in the Metro DC area, including but not limited to: Medicare, Carefirst, Aetna, Cigna, Anthem, and United Healthcare. I do not participate with Medicaid or Kaiser. I intend to remain an in-network provider for most major PPO insurance plans and will bill your insurance directly for professional services that are covered by those plans. (Professional services are not covered by your annual fee.) If the terms of your insurance plan require a co-pay, I am obligated to request payment at the time of service. Even if we are not providers for your insurance plan, I will attempt to refer you to in-network physicians for any necessary consultations and to in-network facilities for diagnostic tests and hospitalizations as medically indicated. Those services will likely be covered by your insurance plan.
The annual fee is not reimbursable by your insurance plan.
Yes. My office will file your claims with Medicare as well as with your supplemental insurer on your behalf, as required by law. Office visit fees that are not reimbursed by insurance will be the responsibility of the patient.
No. The annual fee only includes services and benefits described in the Highlights Details document that are not covered by Medicare (or any other payer) and that will not be paid for or reimbursed by Medicare.
In some instances, the annual fee, or part of the fee, may be payable through your HSA. You are advised to consult with your HSA or FSA plan administrator, employer, HR representative or tax adviser to clarify qualification in your particular circumstance.
Yes. Paying your annual fee allows you to be a member of my practice and to be in touch with me whether you are sick or well. I strongly encourage you to utilize the benefits offered, regardless of your state of health, to proactively safeguard your well-being.
Payments
Your annual fee may be paid by check annually, semi-annually or quarterly by ACH or credit card. If you opt to pay by ACH or credit card, the first payment will be charged to the bank account or credit card you indicate on your Membership Agreement form upon receipt of your executed enrollment form. The remaining balance of your annual membership/enrollment fee (if any) will be charged automatically to your bank account or credit card in installments after your start date, accordingly. Until we hear otherwise, payments will be processed continually.
Your membership agreement can be terminated upon 30 days’ written notice to me/my practice. If you move and wish to secure a new physician, the annual fee will be refunded on a prorated basis. Your records will be sent to your new physician upon receipt of a signed release from you authorizing/directing me/my practice to send the records to your new physician. This release of records is required by law.