Office Policies / FAQs

Please check eligibility and authorization for all procedures and infusion services prior to office visits****  Thank You.

– AETNA
– AFTRA HEALTH PLAN
– ALLIED HEALTH SOLUTIONS IPA
– ANTHEM BLUE CROSS
– ASSURANT HEALTH
– BLUE SHIELD OF CALIFORNIA
– BLUE ZONES HEALTH (FORMERLY ACCESS MEDICAL HEALTH)
– CIGNA
– DIRECTOR’S GUILD
– GEHA
– FIRST HEALTH
– HEALTHNET
– ILWU-PMA
– MHBP
– MOTION PICTURE HEALTH
– NALC
– MEDICARE
– PROVIDENCE ST JOHN’S MEDICAL GROUP
– STAR HEALTHCARE IPA
– UFCW UNION & FOOD
– UNITED HEALTHCARE
– NUMEROUS SELF-FUNDED PPOs

ALL OTHER HEALTH PLANS – We will submit your claim to your insurance as a courtesy.
(This list is subject to change. Please call for the most up-to-date information.)

Please bring your insurance card(s), any pertinent medical records or x-rays, your COVID-19 vaccination card, a list of medicines you are taking and a method of payment for your health services. Also, it is important to make sure you have the proper referral for your insurance, if it is required. Please also remember to show up about 15 minutes before your appointment time to complete paperwork or you may complete forms as indicated below.

Absolutely. For faster service, a list of forms is available for printout online. If you need assistance completing any forms, please call our office during business hours. New patients can decrease their wait time by printing out all relevant forms here and bringing to your appointment.

Most HMO plans require a written referral for any care outside of your primary physician. Other insurance plans may or may not require pre-authorization. If you are unsure, you should ask your primary doctor’s office or your insurance company. Our policy is that if you come for an appointment without a referral and your insurance requires one, you may pay in full for your visit or be rescheduled. Acquiring the proper referral is ultimately the patient’s responsibility. Patients without a health plan (commonly referred to as “self-pay” or cash patients) are required to supply a credit card at the time of making an appointment. A non-refundable fee of $50 will be charged to the card to secure your appointment. The balance of any fees due will be payable at the conclusion of your visit.

You may be asked to reschedule. Speak with the front desk staff if you arrive late and they will determine whether the doctor can see you. Missed appointments or appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice may incur a $50 rescheduling fee.

Yes. If we participate with your insurance and the proper referral(s) are in place, you are only responsible for any deductibles, co-insurance or co-pays your insurance requires. All funds are payable in full at the time of your visit. If we do not accept your insurance or the proper referral is not in place then you will be required to pay in full for your visit.If you are a cash patient, we will provide you a 40% discount off of our usual and customary charges for any services that are paid for in full on the same day. Any services that are not paid for in full on the same day will require payment of the full charge, to include checks presented at the time of service that are later returned for insufficient funds.If during any visits to the office, there is a balance on your account, our staff has been directed to collect the balance in addition to any deductibles, co-insurance or co-pays before your appointment.

Yes. We accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express for payments, in addition to cash, check, or money orders. Checks should be made payable to: Pacific Arthritis Care Center. Returned checks will be assessed a $25 fee.

Our Santa Monica office does not validate parking. Our Los Angeles office validates up to 1 hour. The parking attendant accepts credit card only.