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Frequently asked questions

Do you take new patients?

Yes we do. We are able to schedule appointments within 1 week with our physicians and nurse practitioners. Schedule your first visit today with a trusted family practice physician Calabasas CA residents rely on for prompt, personalized care.

Do you take walk ins?

Yes, walks ins are welcomed

Do you take insurance, and if so what kind?

Yes, we take insurances: PPOs, Regal and Medicare

Do you do telemedicine or only in person visits?

Recently, telemedicines has been approved by the Congress for another 6 months 
Also, in person visits are welcomed

What is Functional Medicine?

Functional Medicine – encourages healthy life style, diet and exercise, supplements and hormonal replacement – with the goal of helping the body heal and regenerate. Take control of your health by consulting a family practice physician Calabasas CA locals choose for integrative, root-cause care.

What is Conventional Medicine?

Conventional medicine – is oriented more with the treatment of disease already established and healing .

What is an ECHO?

Echocardiography is a cardiac ultrasound. Is a non-invasive test, using ultrasound waves that allows visualization of cardiac structure in real time. The four cardiac chambers can be evaluated, measured and function determined. Can see the four valves structure , function by 2D Echo imaging and by color Doppler Technique. Also, can make pressure and velocities measurements at the level of the cardiac chambers, valves and close by main arteries and veins.

What is a Carotid Duplex?

Carotid Duplex is a carotid artery ultrasound, is non-invasive, done in office. Carotid arteries are the main arteries that directs the oxygenated blood from the aorta to the brain and face. Are major arteries implicated in brain health and disease. This technique can evaluate the presence of the atherosclerotic plaques that might affect the blood flow to the brain and direct treatments for prevention of strokes,

What is a treadmill echo?

The treadmill echo is a non-invasive and functional modality to evaluate exercise tolerance, blood pressure with exertion, EKG changes with exertion, evaluate the presence and extend of significant blockages of cardiac arteries, cardiac muscle function at rest and with exertion. The test is done in the office, walking on a treadmill on a specific protocol called Bruce protocol. The heart function and structure is evaluated by Echocardiographic imaging before and after exercise, by EKG and blood pressure measurements every 3 minutes. Stay ahead of heart issues—schedule your treadmill test with a family practice physician Calabasas CA residents count on for prevention-focused diagnostics.

What is a CT coronary angiogram?

CT coronary angiogram ia a non-invasive study done with intravenous  iodine contrast. Is done in a radiology setting. The test evaluates the anatomy of the arteries of the heart, heart anatomy, aorta, the lung with its structures, including lung tissue, arteries and veins. The reason for the tests is to evaluate the presence and extend of the atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries of the heart, allowing individualized approach for prevention and treatment of coronary arteries disease. 

The test is rapid, using small amount of radiation and iv iodine contrast. Is required during the test a  lower heart rate for a better imaging results. Metoprolol and Nitroglycerine are given in preparation for the test to optimize the imaging. In case there are borderline stenosis of the arteries of the heart,  AI software can evaluate the blood flow through the arteries, determining the severity of arterial stenosis. These allows to decide the type of treatment: medical or invasive with coronary angiogram and possible need for stents.

What is a Holter?

Holter test is a non-invasive test that records electrical activity, like an EKG of the heart 24/7 for 1 to 14 days. Is indicated to evaluate symptoms of palpitations, irregular heart beats, episodes of fainting and lightheadedness, dizziness

Holter devise we use is a patch that is attached to the anterior chest and records and stores automatically all the cardiac electrical activities.  There is a diary used for symptoms tracking, type of the symptoms and time of the day of the symptoms. Later, we are  matching the symptoms present with the EKG findings.

What is ABI?

ABI is a non-invasive test done in office that evaluates the blood flow in the lower extremities. We measure the blood pressure in the arms and legs and calculate the ratio, by dividing the systolic blood pressure in the legs to the systolic blood pressure in the arms. This way can be estimated the quality of bilateral leg blood perfusion. This is an easy test to determine and to follow in vascular health of the lowe extremities

What is AAA Duplex?

The AAA Duplex is an abdominal aorta ultrasound done for screening for aortic aneurysm and dilation. The aortic aneurysm is an asymptomatic disease, that potentially could be deadly due to aortic dilation and rupture. Can be prevented and treated if caught early in its development. Early detection saves lives. Book your vascular screening with a family practice physician Calabasas CA families trust for life-saving insight.

What are nuclear scans?

The cardiac nuclear scan Is a type of cardiac imaging using intravenous isotopes to evaluate the strength of the heart and to evaluate the presence and extend of blockages of the arteries of the heart. Is a type of stress test that uses intravenous medication to substitute the walking of the treadmill. The  imaging of the heart is obtained with intravenous isotope – Technetium is used. Is done is the hospital as outpatient.

What is coronary angiogram and stent placement?

Coronary angiogram is an invasive test, done in the hospital.  Is done to valuate the presence and extend of coronary artery disease, the presence of stenosis and cardiac function. Is recommended in patients with severe chest pain, heart attacks and abnormal non-invasive testing. Can be done in an emergency situation , but also as an elective, outpatient tests. The test allows the evaluate the presence of the cardiac arteries stenosis and also permits to treat this bockages with special stents.

What is upper endoscopy and how is it done?

Upper endoscopy, EGD that stands for Esophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy is an endoscopic exploration of the upper digestive tract for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. This is s very safe procedure with very low risks. This procedure explores the esophagus , stomach and first part of the small bowel called duodenum. At the time of the procedure interventions are possible . Biopsies can be taken if abnormal mucosa is encountered for pathological diagnosis. This will better tailor the medical management to the specific pathological condition. In case bleeding lesions are encountered, endoscopic hemostasis  can be performed using cauterization , banding, epinephrine injection, and hemostatic clip placement. Foreign body removal is also possible at the time of the endoscopy. If obstructive lesions are encountered dilatation and stent placements are possible to preserve the lumen.

What is colonoscopy

Colonoscopy – represents the exploration of the large intestine also known as colon. This is the site of the second most killing cancer in the USA, hence the need for screening colonoscopy every 10 years to prevent the formation of colon cancer. At the time of the colonoscopy if polyps are encountered they have to be removed. WHY ? Polyps can grow in cancer over a period of 10 years and this is the reason why the colonoscopy has to be performed every 10 years. The risks of the colonoscopy are in general very low , less than 1 in 5000 risks of infection , bleeding and perforation. Having such a low risk profile FDA approved the colonoscopy for screening of colon cancer in general population. Protect your future with a family practice physician Calabasas CA patients turn to for essential cancer screening and peace of mind.

What is ERCP and how is it done ?

The ERCP stands for endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography, meaning exploration of the common bile duct, intrahepatic biliary ducts and pancreatic duct. This procedure is used also the extract a stone logged in the bile duct , eventually to place a stent in order to optimize the free flow of bile in the small intestine and thus avoiding infection of the bile duct

Insurances – the “ middle man “ that pays

Well not everybody has insurance, we are welcoming patients without insurance , cash patients and other forms of payment – crypto, etc. Obviously if the insurance is available we will work with it, but there are some services , supplements , etc that the insurance will refuse to pay. We will do our best to let you know beforehand what to expect . Transparency is the key. Our office staff are well versed in dealing with the insurances and will assist you along the way. No matter your insurance status, a family practice physician Calabasas CA patients trust is ready to support your complete care journey.