How do I join your practice?
Can I be a member of your practice without joining The Secret Garden?
Do you have payment plans or sliding scale?
What insurance do you take?
Do you take Medi-Cal insurance?
Can I just get shots or vaccination counseling without joining your practice?
What is your vaccine policy?
Do you ever do one-time consultations?
Do you have after-hours coverage?
Can I get a same day appointment if my child is sick?
Will I be able to talk to the doctor over the telephone?
If I miss an appointment, is there a cancellation fee?
May I bring friends to The Secret Garden lectures or monthly events?
How do I join your practice?
- After reading this website, if you would like a 15 minute meet and greet appointment, please call the office at 415-380-8448.
- Fill out the enrollment form.
- Mail it in with your Secret Garden payment.
- We will call you to set up your first appointment.
Why do you have a fee to join your practice?
We came to realize that we could not practice our model of time-intensive integrative pediatrics without additional operating revenue. Your participation in The Secret Garden allows us to give you longer appointment times, take insurance and provide our excellent educational programs.
Can I be a member of your practice without joining The Secret Garden?
No. Faced with rising overhead and declining insurance payments, we have come to realize that we need additional operating revenue to practice time-intensive integrative pediatrics.
Do you have payment plans or sliding scale?
Yes, payment plans and a sliding scale are available. Please contact our office.
What insurance do you take?
We are contracted providers for:
- Blue Shield PPO, Blue Shield BSHC Healthy Families
- Blue Cross PPO
- United Health Care
If you are a member of these plans we will bill your insurance and you are responsible only for your co-pay and deductible. For other PPOs we will bill your insurance for you. You are responsible for the portion not covered by your plan.
Do you take Medi-Cal insurance?
No. However, we offer a sliding scale for Medi-Cal patients.
Can I just get shots or vaccination counseling without joining your practice?
No. You must be a member of the practice and The Secret Garden to participate in this service.
top of page
What is your vaccine policy?
We vaccinate as the parents wish. The doctors in partnership with each family decide what is the best schedule for your child. Vaccinations are generally given one at a time and only if your child is well.
Do you ever do one-time consultations?
Yes. Occasionally we have time for one-time consultations. Each situation will be evaluated on an individual basis. Please contact our office at 415-380-8448 to inquire.
Do you have after-hours coverage?
Yes. After office hours there are pediatricians available to see our patients at the after-hours clinics. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the advice nurse.
- On nights, weekends and holidays call 415-464-1350 for free phone advice from a pediatric nurse.
- One of our doctors is always on call and can be reached for emergencies by asking the nurse to page us.
- After-hour appointments can be scheduled through the advice nurses from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm on weekdays and 9:30 am – 9:30 pm on weekends.
Marin patients: The after-hours clinic is located at Marin General Hospital in Greenbrae.
San Francisco patients: The after-hours clinic is located at the corner of California and Cherry in San Francisco.
Can I get a same day appointment if my child is sick?
Yes, we save space for same day-sick visits. However, your appointment may not be with your primary doctor.
Will I be able to talk to the doctor over the telephone?
Yes. Our doctors and staff return phone calls throughout the day to give simple phone advice and to determine whether you need to come in. If your question requires a longer conversation, we will ask you to schedule a phone consultation.
If I miss an appointment, is there a cancellation fee?
Yes, our cancellation fee is $65. Appointment changes or cancellations must be at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. For Monday appointments we need to be notified the prior Friday to avoid a cancellation fee. Homeopathic Constitutionals must be canceled 48 hours in advance to avoid a charge of $300.
May I bring friends to The Secret Garden lectures or monthly events?
Yes. Though our lectures and monthly events are not open to the public, we welcome your friends and family.
top of page
