OFFICE FAQS

YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

Is Dr. Cowan accepting new patients?

Yes, Dr. Cowan is indeed recieving new patients.

Where are you located?

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

How do phone consultations work?

Phone consults are for those who live outside the Bay Area or are too sick to travel. After you have scheduled an appointment, you will call the office on the 2328 number. A new patient appointment generally runs about an hour (same as office visits), wherein Dr. Cowan will go over your health history with you. From there, he will prescribe any supplements, medications, and/or lab work. Follow-ups are usually every 4-6 weeks and can last 15-30 minutes.

Is it helpful for me to send my written history prior to my appointment?

On the contrary, this does not help much. Dr. Cowan receives more information on a patient’s condition by listening to them speak about what is happening with them. If you have any recent labs or records, you can bring them with you or fax them before to your appointment.

Is there any paperwork that I need to fill out?

There is a short intake form. You can download it, email it to us , or fill it out at the office.

How much time in advance do I need to schedule an appointment?

Most of the time we can get you in to see the doctor the same week that you call, but it is generally best to call the week before.

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

Dr. Cowan is a family doctor and treats various ailments. After you have searched the site and you are uncertain if he can treat your specific condition, please email him. Emails are best kept brief.

Do you give reminder calls?

Unfortunately, we do not have time to do this. Though, if you feel that you really need one, we can accommodate you.

Does your office do labs?

There is no lab here at the office. Patients can take their lab slips to any clinic and they will fax us the results. This also works for long distance patients. If there is a delay, please call the lab and have it resent, or if necessary, we can call for you with the number you provide.

BILLING

Why don’t you take insurance?

Since we are only a 3-person operation, we only have time to bill Medicare. The solution to this is to offer you a form to submit to your insurance yourself for possible reimbursement. We do have a new community healthcare plan if you are interested.

Which insurance companies will reimburse me for my appointment charges?

Whether or not your company will reimburse you is up to them. It is best to call your insurance provider and 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. We do see several patients get reimbursed through Blue Cross. 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 do have a 24-hour cancellation policy now as a result of frequently missed appointments. Just call at least the day before if you need to cancel or reschedule. We do not charge anything until after your appointment.

What form of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, checks, and all credit cards.

CORRESPONDENCE

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

Email is to get in touch with Dr. Cowan directly for non-urgent medical questions only. Receptionists do not check email, so everything else–orders, appointments, billing, etc.– is best called into the front desk (1010 number). This helps keep Dr. Cowan’s email free of front desk operations and it has a better chance of reaching the right person.

When do I use the phone appointment line number?

If you are scheduled to call in to speak with Dr. Cowan, the 2328 number is the one to call at the moment of your appointed time. Though it may seem like this is Dr. Cowan’s personal voicemail box, it isn’t. We do not answer calls or check the voicemail box on this line unless a call is expected for a pre-scheduled appointment. If you leave a message here for any other reason, chances are we won’t hear it for several days, even if it is right after you hang up with him.

I called for my phone appointment at the exact time and no one answered. What’s up?

Sometimes Dr. Cowan is finishing up with an appointment and is delayed, or the receptionist is busy with other patients. Please just let us know that you called by leaving a message on the 2328 mailbox with your phone number. No need to call the 1010 front desk number. Please note that on regular hours all phone lines, including the emergency line, go through the front desk and are answered by the same person.

How do I reach Dr. Cowan directly?

If you want to reach Dr. Cowan directly, please use email, and if it is urgent, please call the front desk. If it is a true emergency, use his cell phone number if you can’t reach him after trying the front desk first. If it is not urgent and you need to speak with him, please call to schedule an appointment. Please note that during regular business hours, all three phone lines are answered by the same person at the front desk.

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

We are a very busy office and there is only one receptionist working at any given time. Mornings, Mondays, and Thursdays are usually the busiest phone times. Please leave a message and when a good time to reach you would be, or try again later.

ORDERS

Can I return my supplements?

All supplements received from our office can be returned if unopened within 4 months of purchase.

Where’s my order?

Standard Process supplement orders go out via UPS every Monday and Wednesday. After delivery, you should receive your order in a couple of days if you live in the area and in about a week everywhere else. Orders that come directly from our office can take up to 2 weeks, so it is best to reorder these medicines before you run out. Please call us if you don’t receive your package within the time frames mentioned.

What’s in the Standard Process Supplements?

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

I need a prescription. Do I leave a message on the order line?

The order voicemail box is for supplements orders. If you need us to call in, mail, or fax a prescription, just leave a message at the front desk so we can attend to it sooner. We will get it though if you happen to leave it in the order box.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Can I talk to other patients of Dr. Cowan and the Four Fold Healing Clinic?

You are 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?

Find a WAPF Chapter in Your Area
Universal On-line Forums:
native nutrition
e-mail list from WAPF
San Francisco Community:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WAPF-SF/
http://www.westonapricesanfrancisco.org/