What to Know About Your Appointment
To provide the best possible patient care experience it’s important to prepare in advance for your initial appointment so we can verify insurance benefits and build your electronic health care record. This allows us to help you receive your maximum benefits, provide accurate cost estimates and help keep our appointments on time. Below is a summary of what to prepare for your initial appointment. Contact us for any questions you may have regarding our new patient forms and payment policies.
New Patient Forms:
Please complete and submit the forms below at least 48-hours prior to your scheduled visit.
Office Location & Hours:
11840 Alamo Ranch Pkwy
Ste #80
San Antonio, TX 78253
Phone: 210-764-6567
Fax: 888-395-3465
M: 10:00-6:00
T: 8:00-4:00
W: 10:00-6:00
Th: 8:00-4:00
Allergy Shot Hours (by appointment):
- M: 10:00-1:30 (last shot 1:00); 2:00-6:00 (last shot 5:30)
- T: 8:00-12:00 (last shot 11:30); 12:30-4:00 (last shot 3:30)
- W: 10:00-1:30 (last shot 1:00); 2:00-6:00 (last shot 5:30)
- Th: 8:00-12:00 (last shot 11:30); 12:30-4:00 (last shot 3:30)
Identification & Insurance:
We must obtain a copy of your driver’s license for identification and current insurance card to validate insurance coverage. Please bring your identification and health insurance card with each visit.
Payment:
Payments are due at the time of service unless payment arrangements have been requested and approved in advance. You are responsible for all co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance, and balances due at the time of services. We accept payment by cash, check, and major credit cards.
Medical Records:
Please bring your medical records if you have them. If they are not available, our office can request them. Please refer to our Medical Release Form.
No Show & Late Policy:
We understand the potential for unforeseen circumstances that can arise that may cause a late arrival or missed appointment. If this happens, please call us as soon as possible so we can change your appointment status accordingly and make it available for another patient.
Please cancel or reschedule your visits within one business day (24-hour notice). At our discretion, a fee will be charged for missed appointments.
What to Expect at Your Appointment:
Our Allergy Team is committed to the delivery of patient-centered care. Below is a summary of what to expect during your initial appointment. Please refer to our Patient Instruction form. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding your appointment.
Initial Appointment:
Please arrive 10-15 minutes early. A typical new patient consultant takes between 1 and 2 hours, so plan accordingly. Your appointment will include specialist consultation, medication review, and physical exam. Specific allergy and asthma testing will be recommended if needed.
Medication Review:
Please bring “all” medications that you are currently taking. This includes all asthma devices, such as spacers and peak flow meters, epinephrine pens, over-the-counter medications, and supplements.
Allergy Skin Testing:
Skin tests are done to help identify what you are allergic to and develop a treatment plan. During testing suspected allergens are pricked on the surface of the skin, typically on the back or forearm. Sometimes the second type of test is performed where suspected allergens are injected into the skin of the arm or forearm. Positive reactions can cause itching and red bumps, which look and feel like mosquito bites. The itching and bumps are gone usually in a few minutes. Allergy skin tests aren’t painful. You won’t bleed or feel more than mild, momentary discomfort. Skin tests are generally safe for adults and children of all ages, including infants. Allergy skin testing typically takes about 20 to 40 minutes.
Preparing for Skin Testing:
Please discontinue all antihistamines at least 5 days prior to your visit so that allergy skin testing can be performed if necessary as they will interfere with test results. A list of antihistamines can be found on the Patient Instruction form on page 2.
- Do not discontinue Singulair, nasal steroids, or any asthma inhalers— they do not interfere with testing.
- If you suffer from bothersome hives or swelling and are unable to stop antihistamines, it is appropriate to not discontinue them.
Spirometry (Breathing) Test:
Spirometry is the most common type of pulmonary function test or breathing test. If you have asthma or symptoms of chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath, or cough spirometry may be recommended. The test measures how much air you can breathe in and out of your lungs, as well as how easy and fast you can blow the air out of your lungs. The tests are typically repeated several times to make sure the results are accurate. You may be given a medicine to help open your airways and then repeat the test to see if your breathing improves with the medicine. Spirometry testing typically takes about 15 to 40 minutes depending on if medication is given.
If you are taking a short-acting inhaler that is used only as needed, do not use it for six to eight hours prior to testing, if possible. Also, do not smoke for at least six hours prior to testing.
