Front Desk FAQs:

Common questions answered on Your first appointment, Billing, Correspondence, Orders, & Support
 

YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

 

Is Dr. Cowan accepting new patients?

Yes! Dr. Cowan is indeed receiving new patients.

What conditions does Dr. Cowan treat? Can he help me?

As family doctor, Dr. Cowan treats a broad spectrum of health concerns. After you have searched the site and you are still unsure he is the right physician, you are welcome to email him, just please keep your email brief.

Where are you located?

See our contact page for location, and also hours, fax number, directions, etc.

What are your rates?

The fee for an initial office visit is a flat rate of $300 ($275 for a phone consult). Follow-ups are $30-$150 depending on time and complexity. We also have a Community Supported Healthcare Plan for those who are, or intend on being, long-standing patients.

Should I come in or make a phone appointment?

Seeing patients in person has obvious advantages.   However, if you live outside the Bay Area or are unable to travel, phone consultations are a practical option. Dr. Cowan treats patients nationally and internationally.

Are there any doctors like Dr. Cowan in my area?

This is always a difficult question to answer since Dr. Cowan is unique in his practice;  blending anthroposophy with native nutrition and high potency herbs.  If you are looking for an anthroposophical doctor you can try paam, or contact Weleda or Uriel. If you are searching for a doctor who uses Weston A. Price principles, you can try contacting your local chapter for referrals.  If you don’t find what you need, Dr. Cowan is certainly happy to help you via phone consults.

What happens during my first appointment?

A new patient office visits takes about 1 hour, and a new patient phone consult takes about 45 minutes.  During this time, Dr. Cowan will review your health history with you.  Afterward, he may prescribe supplements, medications, and/or order lab work.  This is generally followed up with a 15-30 minute appointment in 4-6 weeks.

How soon can I be seen by the doctor?

We regret if Dr. Cowan’s schedule creates inconveniences.  At the moment, he is booked 2-3 weeks out for new patient appointments.  If your condition is urgent, we can fit you into the first opening after we receive a cancellation.

Should I send my medical history prior to my appointment?

Dr. Cowan interprets more information on your condition by listening to you speak rather than written letters to best develop your treatment plan.  However, if you have any recent labs or records, you can bring them with you or fax up to 15 pages before to your appointment.

Is there any paperwork that I need to fill out?

Yes, The New Patient Form is easy to complete. Please email or fax it to us before you call to make an appointment.

Do you give reminder calls?

Ordinarily, we don’t give reminder calls.  However we will do so on request.

Does your office do lab work?

We have no lab here at the office. Just present your lab slip to the clinic of your choice, and they will fax us the results.  We can also fax the lab request to your clinic directly.  Occasionally, a lab company will delay sending us a report.  If you haven’t received a copy of your results from us, please call to make sure we have them. 

 

BILLING

 

Do you take insurance?

We are happy to be able to take Medicare as your primary insurance as long as it is not tied to an HMO.  For all other insurance holders, we can give you a form to fill out and submit to your company for possible reimbursement. We also have a Community Supported Healthcare Plan of our own to help fulfill the need of affordable healthcare.

Which insurance companies will reimburse me for my appointment charges?

Please call your insurance provider to ask if they cover out-of-network doctors (Dr. Cowan is an M.D.) and how much they will pay. If you have an HMO they most likely will not cover it.  In general, it all depends on what kind of plan you are signed up for.

Why do I need to give my credit or debit card to make an appointment?

We have a 24-hour cancellation policy to assure that the doctor’s time is respected and others can be seen when a patient cannot make their appointment.

What form of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, checks, money orders, and all credit cards.
 
 

CORRESPONDENCE

 

I’m confused…where do I direct my inquiry?

Please visit the “Which Question Goes Where” page for details on where to direct your questions and requests so we can get to your needs as quickly and easily as possible.

Why did I get Dr. Cowan’s voicemail when I called for my phone appointment at the exact time?

Sometimes Dr. Cowan is finishing up with an appointment and is delayed. Please just let him know that you called by leaving a message on the 2328 mailbox with your phone number and he will return your call ASAP.

I can’t seem to get through to the front desk. What should I do?

We regret that it is sometimes difficult to reach us.  We are working on this problem by offering an abundance of online resources where patients can educate themselves at their leisure. We have also added extra front desk support to be able to assist you better.  Afternoons, Tuesdays, and Fridays are usually lighter phone hours. You can also email us if you wish.
 
 

ORDERS

 

Can I return my supplements?

Supplements & medicines received directly from our office can be returned if unopened within 1 month of purchase.  Standard Process supplements can only be returned if they are part of our selected stock.

Where’s my order?

We have updated our delivery system to better provide you with medicines promptly.  If you haven’t received your order in 5-7 business days, please do call us so we may investigate the problem.  It is best to re-order your medicines before you run out to assure you will not have a lapse in treatment.

What’s in the Standard Process Supplements?

Please visit the Standard Process website for more information on their supplements.
 
 

SUPPORT GROUPS

 

Can I talk to other patients of Dr. Cowan?

You are most welcome to join the yahoo patient forum to inquire, chat, build friendships, and get support. The forum is open to all patients including prospective patients.

Where do I find nourishing traditions food and support?

Please visit our Getting Started with Nourishing Traditions page for resources, recipes, groups, and more!