Billing Questions

Do you take my insurance?

No, we do not accept commercial insurance. Most people who submit the provided Superbill to insurance get a portion reimbursed; however, we cannot do this on your behalf. Medicare/Medicaid do not reimburse our services.

What is the charge for appointments?

Initial Consultations (~45 minutes) – $499

• Includes detailed history and physical exam as needed by board certified physician-geneticist

• Includes arranging of genetic testing as needed

Return Visits (~30 minutes) – $299

• For established patients who have been seen within the past year.

• Examples include genetic result visits and follow-up management visits
  

When is payment due?

Payment is due when booking an appointment.

• Rescheduling: Free if completed up to 48 hours prior to the appointment. Less than 48 hours notice incurs a $50 processing fee. Appointments cannot be rescheduled more than 3 separate times.

• Cancellations: May be cancelled up to 1 week prior to the appointment and will receive full reimbursement minus the $50 processing fee. Cancellations less than 1 week before the scheduled appointment time are 50% refundable. Cancellations less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment time are non refundable.
  

How do I pay for Genetic Testing?

• Genetic testing is typically billed to 3rd party medical insurance. We work with labs to provide competitive self-pay pricing as needed, most gene-panels can be ordered for as low as $250 self-pay price. Ensure pricing is determined before sending your test kit back to the lab.

• Depending on the genetic test, there is potential to order the test through a sponsored testing program which would make testing $0 for the patient.

Your prices are very transparent and listed online, why do you chose to do this?

We believe patients should be empowered which information to make informed decisions and know the accurate cost of medical visits up front. This ‘free-market’ approach is in direct contrast to most medical practices where patients cannot get an accurate idea of costs beforehand, thus limiting key information needed to make an informed decision.

Clinic Flow Questions

What should I bring to an appointment?

• Any records you feel are important to be reviewed (although prior records are not required)

• Any genetic testing (this does not include direct-to-consumer type / ancestry type tests)
  

What are your hours?

Typically patients seen are seen during business hours (Eastern time). Weekends and evening consultations can be arranged on an as-needed basis through our concierge plan. Please contact us should you need this.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Unlike most genetics practices where the wait is 9 months to 1 year, our model allows us to see you much earlier. Please visit our appointments page to view our earliest availability.

Can I be seen through a virtual consultation via telemedicine?

Yes, we use doxy.me/dratwal

Do I need a Doctors referral?

No, you can self-refer at anytime. We are happy to provide consultations notes to share with your primary care provider and other specialists if you wish.

How do your services work?

Typically the initial appointment will be information gathering and similar to a new specialist visit, just with more time and less rush. Once there is a clear plan of what is needed we will then proceed with any medical management, referrals or genetic testing, which maybe need to be at a return visit. Genetic test results are typically disclosed at the follow-up appointment. This is because genetic tests are complicated, and even negative results may have unforeseen implications, thus a detailed in-person (or video call) visit is required.

How do I get labs drawn?

Most genetic labs we work with use saliva samples that can be taken at home by patients. If not, the genetic lab can arrange a home blood draw without extra charge. Otherwise we can use large reference labs such as Quest / Labcorp.

How does telemedicine work?

Telemedicine is easy for anyone to use. All patients have to do is click on our video conferencing link HERE: https://doxy.me/DrAtwal, type in your name, and the Doctor will show on the screen at the time of your appointment, its that simple! We recommend testing audio and video before your appointment time using your scheduling link. Other helpful pointers to enhance your telemedicine experience which can be found HERE: https://www.atwalclinic.com/blog/preparing-for-a-telemedicine-appointment