IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR OUR PATIENTS
Dear Valued patients,
During this unprecedented public health crisis, we are encouraging all of our patients to stay informed via regular updates on the Centers of Disease Control website and San Diego County information website. Since Governor Newsom announced a stay at home order for the State of California, the staff at La Jolla Village Family Medical Group has transitioned to Telemedicine visits in order to continue to serve your health care needs. We will still keep limited office hours for patients with acute problems that can not be managed through a Telemedicine consultation as decided by our trained medical staff. If you have any questions or concerns about Covid-19 or have any other medical questions or issues please call 858.450.5900 and schedule a Telemedicine visit with one of our providers. During this crisis we must all do our best to support the effort to flatten the curve to avoid overwhelming our healthcare system. Self-isolation is the best thing to do. Please wash your hands regularly and keep a social distance of 6 feet at all times when meeting with others. For those that do not understand or agree with the critical importance of staying home, please watch this speech by epidemiologist, Dr. Emily Landon. Be well, stay home, and keep yourself and others safe.
Yours sincerely,
The Providers and staff at La Jolla Village Family Medical Group
PLEASE READ UPDATES FROM OUR OFFICE BELOW:
UPDATE COVID-19
To help us identify and treat patients with C19 and lower the rate of spread of the disease ('flattening the curve'), we are asking all our patients to follow these guidelines:
TELEMEDICINE CARE
We remain committed to providing continuous care for our patients during the C19 pandemic while also protecting the health and safety of our providers and staff. As such, we have equipped our practice for telemedicine evaluations and treatment. We are encouraging all our patients to schedule telemedicine consults with our physicians to address concerns, get factual answers to questions, and receive appropriate medical guidance regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for C19 disease. It has been demonstrated that being properly informed helps lower anxiety and guide patients toward better decision-making.
The vast majority of appointments during the C19 pandemic will now be conducted telemedically. You can use your phone, laptop, or desktop computer for this. Our trained staff will give you specific instructions on how to connect telemedically and help guide you through any technical issues.
Telemedicine consults will be conducted just like in-office visits with some obvious differences. You will be scheduled at a specific time and then called by one of our medical assistants who will take some important information from you. You will then be called by your physician who will perform the evaluation using both audio and video through your phone or computer. You can still be evaluated even if your phone or computer does not have video capability. Calls will typically be coming from a blocked number so you must be prepared to answer your phone at the appointed time. If you do not answer the phone when called, your appointment will be forfeited. We have received assurances that most insurance companies will cover telemedicine visits during the C19 pandemic but cannot guarantee what insurance companies will do and recommend that you check with your carrier to avoid unexpected expenses beyond your copay.
The vast majority of patients have found telemedicine consults to be convenient, efficient, and in some ways preferable to in-office visits. Referrals for specialist consults, testing, and prescriptions will be handled as usual so there should be no delays or extra steps as a result of telemedicine evaluations.
IN-OFFICE APPOINTMENTS
Ours is one of the few primary care offices willing to provide testing for C19 and to continue to provide in-office care for patients whose problems are deemed by our medical professionals to be of an acute nature and not appropriate for telemedicine. Please note that only a few select patients will be seen at the office during the C19 pandemic. If you are scheduled to be seen at the office, please note that we are asking all our patients to follow these guidelines:
To help us identify and treat patients with C19 and lower the rate of spread of the disease ('flattening the curve'), we are asking all our patients to follow these guidelines:
- If you feel ill and it is an emergency, call 911, describe your symptoms, and be prepared to provide detailed information about any recent travel or contact with someone known to have C19.
- If you feel ill and it is NOT an emergency, please call our office where you will speak to our C19 specialist-trained nurse who can help guide you toward getting help. You will be asked whether you have fever, cough, or shortness of breath as well as other health-related questions.
- Following your 'phone triage' you may be scheduled for a telemedicine visit with one of our physicians who will evaluate your condition and also decide whether or not you should be tested for C19. (See below for more information on telemedicine.)
- We are one of the few offices performing C19 testing in our area and if your physician recommends that you be tested, he/she will put through an order to have you scheduled for an office visit. We are performing all testing in our parking lot just outside the clinic door. You will be instructed to park in a specifically designated stall and call the office once you have arrived. You will be instructed to remain in your car during the testing. Our trained medical assistant will meet you at your car.
- In some cases, you may be directed to present to the hospital Emergency Department. Please follow all your physician's instructions carefully.
- In some cases, you may be directed to stay home and self-quarantine. Your physician will give you specific instructions regarding how to do this.
- In some cases, you may be directed to schedule an in-office appointment where you will be seen for acute, non-C19 related problems. If possible, please go alone to any office visit appointments. Do not bring children, family members, or friends unless you need them for assistance. Especially, do not bring anyone who has a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
TELEMEDICINE CARE
We remain committed to providing continuous care for our patients during the C19 pandemic while also protecting the health and safety of our providers and staff. As such, we have equipped our practice for telemedicine evaluations and treatment. We are encouraging all our patients to schedule telemedicine consults with our physicians to address concerns, get factual answers to questions, and receive appropriate medical guidance regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for C19 disease. It has been demonstrated that being properly informed helps lower anxiety and guide patients toward better decision-making.
The vast majority of appointments during the C19 pandemic will now be conducted telemedically. You can use your phone, laptop, or desktop computer for this. Our trained staff will give you specific instructions on how to connect telemedically and help guide you through any technical issues.
Telemedicine consults will be conducted just like in-office visits with some obvious differences. You will be scheduled at a specific time and then called by one of our medical assistants who will take some important information from you. You will then be called by your physician who will perform the evaluation using both audio and video through your phone or computer. You can still be evaluated even if your phone or computer does not have video capability. Calls will typically be coming from a blocked number so you must be prepared to answer your phone at the appointed time. If you do not answer the phone when called, your appointment will be forfeited. We have received assurances that most insurance companies will cover telemedicine visits during the C19 pandemic but cannot guarantee what insurance companies will do and recommend that you check with your carrier to avoid unexpected expenses beyond your copay.
The vast majority of patients have found telemedicine consults to be convenient, efficient, and in some ways preferable to in-office visits. Referrals for specialist consults, testing, and prescriptions will be handled as usual so there should be no delays or extra steps as a result of telemedicine evaluations.
IN-OFFICE APPOINTMENTS
Ours is one of the few primary care offices willing to provide testing for C19 and to continue to provide in-office care for patients whose problems are deemed by our medical professionals to be of an acute nature and not appropriate for telemedicine. Please note that only a few select patients will be seen at the office during the C19 pandemic. If you are scheduled to be seen at the office, please note that we are asking all our patients to follow these guidelines:
- The day before your appointment you will be contacted by our staff for a phone interview. You will be asked whether or not you have developed symptoms suspicious for C19. It is essential if you are experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of respiratory illness, that you share that information with our office before coming into the office for your appointment.
- Please come to the office alone if possible. You may bring a friend or family member only if you need assistance walking, speaking, or understanding. You may not bring anyone to the office who has symptoms of respiratory illness including cough, fever, sore throat, or shortness of breath. If you need assistance and your helper is symptomatic, be sure to alert the office prior to your visit.
- Arrive on-time and please be patient. Understand that our in-office provider will be under significant strain to maintain safety protocols while providing excellent medical care for patients. You may be asked to wear a facemask and to spend the majority of your appointment time at a safe distance from your doctor and/or Medical Assistant.
- Be completely forthcoming with our office team who will be asking many questions designed to assess your risk of C19 even if that is not the reason for your appointment. Bear in mind that approximately 25% of those who have tested positive for the disease have been without any symptoms.
- We know these times can be stressful and scary. We encourage you when speaking with our staff and others around you to do your very best to be patient, kind, and caring. We are working extraordinarily hard to ensure that you receive exceptional, compassionate care under very difficult circumstances.
Primary Care & Family medical services conveniently located in UTC | La Jolla.
Family MedicineFamily Medicine encompasses the full spectrum of care throughout one's life, including pediatrics, gynecology, internal medicine, and geriatric care. Whether you have a specific health concern, or it is time for an annual physical exam or immunization, our primary care providers are here to address your needs and provide you with comprehensive, innovative health care through careful assessment and personalized attention. LEARN MORE : http://familydoctor.org
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Prevention + WellnessWe emphasize preventive medicine through patient education while providing the most current and comprehensive services for acute and chronic disease management. Quality of life is improved when we make health a priority. Let our doctors help you to develop the habits of health that make feeling well easy. Whether you need to learn better ways to manage stress, an exercise program that works for your schedule, better quality sleep, or help losing some weight, we are here to help you.
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Sports + Travel MedicineSports medicine helps patients maximize performance, avoid breakdowns, and get over injuries quickly. By using appropriate therapies, diagnostic testing, and making referrals to allied specialists, our goal is to minimize disability and time away from your sports, work, or school.
Our travel medicine services are tailored to meet your individual travel needs with the goal of keeping you safe and healthy during and after your trip. |
News and information From Our Office
Our improved Patient Portal is now active!
Existing patients with an email address on file were sent an invitation to
MyHealthRecord.com - our vastly improved patient portal.
We believe you will enjoy the simplified interface which will enable you to access your medical
records anytime, anywhere from any internet-enabled device. It will be easier than before to talk
privately through secure messaging with your healthcare provider and other members of your care
team; request and manage appointments; request prescription refills; and view your lab orders and test results.
We urge you to accept the invitation as soon as possible, and for those of you who have not yet provided
us with an email address, just call our office and we’ll be able to send you an invitation immediately.
Please note that our old portal is no longer active.
Existing patients with an email address on file were sent an invitation to
MyHealthRecord.com - our vastly improved patient portal.
We believe you will enjoy the simplified interface which will enable you to access your medical
records anytime, anywhere from any internet-enabled device. It will be easier than before to talk
privately through secure messaging with your healthcare provider and other members of your care
team; request and manage appointments; request prescription refills; and view your lab orders and test results.
We urge you to accept the invitation as soon as possible, and for those of you who have not yet provided
us with an email address, just call our office and we’ll be able to send you an invitation immediately.
Please note that our old portal is no longer active.
The Affordable Care Act and Preventative Health Services...Use or lose your benefits!
Did you know that a number of preventative health care benefits were made available to insured patients, with no additional payments or co-payments through the passing of the Affordable Care Act? Services such as annual well woman exams, cholesterol and diabetes screenings, immunizations, and obesity counseling are only some of the health services available at no cost* to you. We encourage you to visit the government website to see the full list of preventative health care available for all adults, women and children. https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/
*These services are free only when delivered by a doctor or other provider in your plan’s network. Our doctors are in-network providers with many insurance plans, please call us or view our SERVICES page for more information. Certain "grandfathered" plans may not include preventative health benefits. Please call your insurance provider if you are unsure about your plan's benefits.
