At San Diego Cardiac Center, we are dedicated to ensuring our patients are comfortable, informed, and confident through every phase of the journey to improved heart health. We offer a wide array of advanced treatments for heart conditions and diseases, along with cutting-edge, less invasive, and more effective treatments.
What should I expect on my first visit to San Diego Cardiac Center?
If you have been diagnosed with a cardiac condition, you may feel anxious about your first visit with us. We do all we can to make your visit both comfortable and reassuring. Your first appointment usually takes from 45 minutes to one hour.
- First, our friendly medical assistant will take your weight, height, and blood pressure and obtain the list of your current medications and the pharmacy you prefer.
- You will also have an EKG test administered before you meet with our doctor. If you have never had an EKG, it is a painless test that takes only minutes to complete. It will provide us with a current picture of your heart function.
- Our doctor, typically assisted by a nurse practitioner, will then meet with you and discuss your medical history and the symptoms or condition that brought you to us.
- A physical exam will be performed.
- Our doctor may recommend further diagnostic testing, suggest preventive management for your symptoms, which will be provided to your primary care doctor.
- For some heart-related conditions, you may be referred to one of our cardiovascular super-specialist for your treatment.
- Once your appointment is over, our front desk receptionist will arrange any follow-up appointments you may need.
What do I need to bring with me?
On your first visit with us at San Diego Cardiac Center, you will need to fill out several forms so we understand more about you and your medical history. You can prepare these forms in advance to save you time. This paperwork is necessary for planning your diagnosis and treatment and includes:
- New patient form
- Health and clinical history form
- Formulario de nuevo paciente
- Formulario de historia clínica y de salud
You will also need to bring several types of information with you on your first visit, including:
- Driver’s license
- Insurance cards
- Your current prescription medications and supplements you take, in a sealed bag
- A list of questions you have about your condition and options for treatment
- We urge you to read our Privacy Practices documents
How does insurance and billing work at San Diego Cardiac Center?
Our billing team at San Diego Cardiac Center is friendly and helpful, willing to answer all your questions regarding billing and payment. We accept a wide range of health insurances, including:
- Medicare
- Most PPO plans, including Anthem, Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, United Healthcare and Healthnet
- HMO health insurance plans utilizing the Sharp Community Medical Group Network
- We accept cash, personal checks, bank debit cards, as well as credit card payments with MasterCard Visa, American Express, and Discover.
Billing Policies:
If you have questions about your bill, please call (858) 244-6860
- All copays are due at the time of service.
- Self-Pay patients are expected to pay for office services at the time of their appointments unless other arrangements have been made prior to the appointment.
- Statements are sent monthly for patient balances.
- If there is no response from the initial statements, a final notice letter is generated to remind patients of their balance. If there is no response after 2 statements and a final notice, the account may be placed with an outside collection agency.
- A $10.00 Late Fee will be added to any account that is turned over to an outside collection agency.
- There is a $25 NSF charge for all returned checks.