Newport Concierge Medical Care - FAQ - newport beach, doctor, meserve, fondren, los angeles, internist, internal medicine, health, care, practice, physician, testing, consult

Frequently Asked Questions

Concierge medicine (also known as direct care) is a relationship between a patient and a physician in which the patient pays an annual fee or retainer. In exchange for the retainer, doctors provide enhanced care. Read more ...

What is Concierge
Medicine?

Location
307 Placentia Avenue, Suite 207
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Phone: (949) 574-1091
Map/Directions

Hours
Mon - Fri : 9:00am - 5:00pm

Why did Dr. Fondren and Dr. Meserve decide to change their practice to a Concierge Practice?
As our practice has grown, our level of frustration has increased due to the inability to give you as much time and attention as you deserve. We believe our job is to help guide you through the complicated healthcare system, to assist you in understanding the ever-expanding options in the modern medical field, and to be your strongest advocate. You deserve our fullest attention to every detail of your healthcare plan. A concierge practice is a way of limiting the number of total patients in a medical practice, so that the doctor can spend more time with each individual patient.

Why is an Annual Enrollment Fee required?
The Annual Enrollment Fee is a membership fee to ensure limited patient enrollment, which optimizes the doctor to patient ratio.

Does our insurance cover the Annual Enrollment Fee?
Commercial insurance plans do not cover the Annual Enrollment Fee.

Can the Annual Enrollment Fee be applied to our deductible?
The Annual Enrollment Fee cannot be applied to your insurance deductible. However, if your employer has a Flex Plan (Section 125) or a Medical IRA, you may be able to receive reimbursement for the Annual Enrollment Fee with these pre-tax dollars. We recommend that you talk to your employer or tax advisor for more information about this.

Can the Annual Enrollment Fee be applied to my office visit co-pays?
The Annual Enrollment Fee cannot be applied to regular office visit co-pays. However, there will be no co-pay or out of pocket expenses for your Annual Comprehensive Wellness Examination. Your co-pay will only apply to any additional office visits.

I am a Medicare patient. How does our insurance plan apply to their program?
Although Medicare rules and guidelines are quite complicated, Medicare patients may join our practice. For more information related to Medicare coverage, please see below.

How does Newport Concierge Medical Care Work With my Health Insurance?
Newport Concierge Medical Care is a membership program that is designed to work in conjunction with, not replace, your traditional health insurance. The Concierge program is designed to work with most commercial insurance plans (Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, even some insurances we have not accepted in the past) and with Medicare.

Commercial Insurance (Non-Medicare, Non-HMO) Plans
If you are insured by a commercial insurance plan, you must maintain your health insurance. When you require care (other than your Annual Comprehensive Wellness Examination), your insurance will be billed at Dr. Fondren's and Dr. Meserve's usual and customary rate for your office visit. Dr. Fondren's and Dr. Meserve's fee schedule will remain the same.

You will need to continue to use your commercial health insurance for any visits with medical specialists and for hospital, imaging, and lab services.
Medicare
If Medicare is your primary health insurer, you must maintain your Medicare coverage. When you require care, Medicare (and your secondary insurance if applicable), will be billed at Dr. Fondren's and Dr. Meserve's usual and customary rate for your office visit. Dr. Fondren's and Dr. Meserve's fee schedule will remain the same.

You will need to continue to use your commercial health insurance for any visits with medical specialists and for hospital, imaging, and lab services.

I need more time to make a decision. Can I join Newport Concierge Medical Care at a later time?
Dr. Meserve will only see non-Concierge patients until October 31, 2011. Dr. Fondren's practice will convert a few weeks later. After that time, non-Concierge patients may enroll as a Newport Concierge Medical Care patient only until the Concierge practice is full. To be fair, we cannot hold spaces in our new practice. After October 31, 2011, Dr. Meserve will dedicate 100% of her time to her Concierge patients. Any patients choosing not to join Newport Concierge Medical Care will be assisted in transferring to another physician and all patient records will be provided. How many patients will be enrolled in Newport Concierge Medical Care's practice Our Concierge practice will be limited to a few hundred patients per doctor. Limiting the total number of patients will ensure that each patient receives the highest level of access, individual care and service from Dr. Fondren and Dr. Meserve.

What are the benefits of membership in this practice?

Limited patient enrollment
Enhanced communication access to your doctor via mobile phone, texting, and email
Office visits that start on time and last as long as needed
Same-day appointment availability
Annual Comprehensive Wellness Examination
Our continued commitment to personalized care with an emphasis on wellness and prevention
Dedicated support staff
Coordination of specialty referrals
Thorough management of hormones during menopause and andropause
Nutrition consultations
Travel medicine consultations
Coordination of inpatient care
Pre-operative evaluations

What is included in the Annual Comprehensive Wellness Examination?

Collection & review of medical history
Review of recommendations from consulting physicians
Comprehensive physical examination
Stool examination for blood
EKG
Spirometry
Urinalysis
Audiology (if indicated)
Review of laboratory testing
Establishment of a written screening schedule based on national guidelines

The Annual Wellness Examination will be performed by Dr. Fondren and Dr. Meserve without any additional out-of-pocket expenses by Members for in-house services. Services that are not covered by the Annual Enrollment Fee include testing at outside facilities such as blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound exams, MRI/CT scans, colonoscopy, heart stress tests, etc.

What do I do when I need a specialist?
To ensure continuity of care, we will help coordinate all specialist referrals. We feel communication between primary care physicians and sub-specialists is crucial to your health.

If I only come to the doctor a few times a year, what are the benefits of joining Newport Concierge Medical Care?
We believe health and prevention of disease should be a top priority. As one ages, there tends to be a greater need for healthcare. We think this is a wise investment in your health. As you will find, many physicians are moving to a concierge style of practice.

What happens when I need to see a doctor, and Dr. Fondren or Dr. Meserve is not in the office?
You will have access to Dr. Fondren or Dr. Meserve by cell phone 24/7. They can still guide the healthcare decision-making even if they cannot see you in the office. In addition, Dr. Fondren and Dr. Meserve will cover each other, in case the other doctor is not available. In this sense, you will always have the same, dedicated physicians available.