Frequently Asked Questions

TELEHEALTH

  • PUSH Health is an asynchronous healthcare platform that allows us to communicate in multiple ways. Obviously, the easiest way is texting -  but sometimes we need to get on the phone and have a conversation or even a video call. Depending on what you need, I am available to help with all three. Messages can easily be sent over the confidential platform. Pictures can be shared. Questions can be answered.

    But sometimes patients need a little more. If a a phone call or a video consult is necessary to get a lab test done or a prescription written, then there is no charge.

    If you need a longer video or phone consultation for a medical issue, not necessarily tied to a prescription or lab work, I am also available to have these with you for a small fee.

    Otherwise, once you sign up for PUSH Health, we are linked together as patient and provider. So whatever questions you may have in the future, I will be available to you. It is like having a concierge doctor for a much lower price.

  • Any time you messages on Push Health platform, we will get the message. I am available almost every day if there is an emergent question or a prescription that needs to be addressed. My team is available 6 AM until midnight Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Pacific Standard Time and 8 AM til 5 PM PST Thursday-Sunday, including weekends.

  • Yes, we can always text back and forth through the HIPAA  compliant patient platform. We can also share documents and you can send photos over that platform.

  • I am also available for follow ups. If you do want to discuss side effects, or if symptoms persist, all you have to do is message.

  • Along with prescriptions and labs, I can also write for radiologic studies if you have a radiology center near you. I am also happy to provide telephone consultation and video consultation for more complex medical needs.

    As healthcare insurance becomes more complex, more and more patients require prior authorizations. Depending on the prior authorization, I can often help navigate that complexity, and obtain a prior authorization when appropriate.

PRESCRIPTIONS

  • There are two ways that prescriptions can be generated. Either you can request a prescription or I can write one for you.

    In either case, once both of us have accepted and agree to the prescription, it is sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice in real time. It is important to know that if you want to use a 24 hour pharmacy then you can pick which pharmacy you want.

    You may change the pharmacy that you would like the medication sent to every time. In case there's an issue with your pharmacy—for example, if it is closed or they don't have the medicine—I can switch pharmacies up to two times.

  • On rare occasions, a pharmacy will tell you that they did not receive the prescription. This happens, especially with smaller independent pharmacies.  If this happens, simply let us know, and we will pick up the phone and call the pharmacist directly. 

    Occasionally, pharmacies will tell the patients that they did not receive the prescription when it is actually that they require a prior authorization. We can also address that if needed.

  • In case there's an issue with your pharmacy, perhaps it is closed or perhaps they don't have the medicine, I can switch pharmacies up to two times without any additional charge.

  • As an ER doctor, it has been my pleasure to treat an array of medical issues. Telehealth lends itself to treating quite a few of these. I'm happy to take care of skin and upper respiratory infections as well as long-term health issues such as hypertension, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol, to name a few.

    I am also a member of the obesity medical Association, and have helped hundreds of patients with elevated BMI's to lose weight using GLP medications

UTI MEDS

  • For straightforward urine infections, you do not need to have a urine culture done before starting antibiotics. For more complex cases, a urine culture might be suggested. Complex cases include patients over the age of 65 or under the age of 12. For a patient who has taken antibiotics, but their UTI has not cleared, a urine culture might be necessary before starting a second round of antibiotics. Patients who have immunodeficiencies might also need a urine culture, and men typically are suggested to have a urine culture before starting antibiotics.

    If you do need a urine culture, we can certainly order one over the platform and that will not slow us from starting you on an antibiotic. It will only help down the line if the antibiotic is resistant.

  • Yes, you can use any local Quest laboratory in order to submit a urine sample if you would like. However, it is quite acceptable to treat a urinary tract infection based on symptoms alone.

  • No, with urinary track infections, we can treat presumptively based on symptoms alone

  • If you develop fever or severe back pain or recurrent vomiting, that is a clear sign that you should probably be seen in person. We would be worried about a kidney infection or "pyelonephritis."

  • It typically takes about 2 to 3 days for symptoms to improve. If you continue to have symptoms after 5 days, please let me know and we can talk about next steps.

  • Yes, there are quite a few mimics of urinary tract infection. Sometimes yeast infections or even STI's can cause this. If you do not improve within the first 5 days, we can discuss the next steps and testing to try to figure out exactly what is going on.

OTHER THINGS

  • It is always helpful to increase your water intake when you have a urinary tract infection. This can help you get better quite a bit faster. You can take ibuprofen for the pain. There's also over-the-counter Azo that sometimes helps.

  • Some patients improved significantly with the medication called Pyridium. This is a anti-inflammatory that targets the bladder. It turns your urine bright orange but sometimes helps quite a bit if you have a lot of burning or spasm in the bladder. This is a prescription medication that I can write for.

    Some patients have quite a bit of nausea with urinary tract infections and we can write a prescription for something called Zofran.

    Finally, some patients to develop used infections when taking antibiotics and certainly there are medication so we can prescribe to help with this.