Telemedicine Video & Phone Consultations
For patients who live far away or need convenient follow-up care, LA Integrative Gastroenterology & Nutrition offers telemedicine consultations by video or phone on a case-by-case basis. Our physicians can review your records, discuss your symptoms and history, and provide recommendations you can share with your treating physician. Please review the guidelines and limitations on this page before scheduling.
Request an AppointmentWho Is Telemedicine Best For?
Telemedicine consultations are accepted on a case-by-case basis. This service may be especially valuable for patients who live far from Los Angeles and want our physicians to review their records, conduct an interview by phone or video, and provide an opinion and recommendations to discuss with their treating physician. It can also be convenient for established patients who need follow-up guidance between office visits.
What a Telemedicine Consultation Includes
The telemedicine fee covers approximately 75 minutes of physician services, which may include:
- Review of your medical records and prior test results
- A detailed interview about your symptoms, history, and goals
- Recommendations for testing, such as at-home SIBO breath testing or lab work
- Dietary and lifestyle guidance through our nutritional services
- Time required for documentation after the consultation
As a general principle, we do not write prescriptions or begin formal treatment beyond dietary and lifestyle guidelines until you have been evaluated in our office. This may change after an in-person visit. Formal report preparation may incur an additional fee, and the consultation fee does not include ongoing support afterward. We strongly recommend taking your own notes, especially of plans and recommendations.
Ongoing Support Options
After your initial consultation, you may enroll in our Membership Program, which offers benefits including discounted follow-up phone and video consultations. Alternatively, you can request brief follow-up inquiries, which can be as short as 10 minutes. See our phone or video consultation fees for details.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation
- Send the medical records you would like reviewed, ideally before your visit.
- Write down the questions you want answered and the goals you hope to reach.
- Complete our registration and office forms ahead of time.
- Fax or send your completed medical history forms.
- Make sure your signed credit card authorization and card on file are in place before the consultation, along with a third-party agreement if someone else is paying.
- Review and sign the telemedicine consent form below.
A portion of the physician’s professional time is used for documentation and implementation after the call is completed.
Limitations of Telemedicine
Telemedicine is not an exact replacement for an in-office evaluation with a physical exam. Whenever possible, patients should have their initial consultation in person. Please be aware of the following limitations:
- Technical limitations: connectivity issues, poor video quality, or audio problems may affect the consultation.
- Physical examination: telemedicine does not allow a physical exam that may be necessary for complete assessment or treatment.
- Emergencies: telemedicine is not appropriate for emergencies. If an emergency arises, call your local emergency number immediately.
- Privacy and security: despite encryption and security measures, transmitted information could be intercepted.
- Risk of misdiagnosis: lack of physical interaction, incomplete history, or technical issues may lead to missed or delayed diagnosis.
- Treatment limitations: some conditions require in-person care.
- Medication: prescribing depends on local laws, and some medications cannot be prescribed via telemedicine.
- State regulations: telemedicine is governed by state laws, and limitations differ from state to state.
- Consent: please review and sign the Telemedicine Consent Form.
By choosing to proceed with a telemedicine consultation, you acknowledge and accept these limitations. It is your responsibility to decide whether you would prefer in-person care. This disclaimer does not replace our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy, which you should also read and understand.
Telemedicine FAQs
Can my first visit be by telemedicine?
Telemedicine consultations are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Whenever possible, we recommend that initial consultations take place in person.
Will the doctor prescribe medication during a telemedicine visit?
As a general principle, prescriptions and formal treatment are not provided before an in-office evaluation. Recommendations typically focus on testing and diet and lifestyle guidance.
How long is a telemedicine consultation?
The consultation fee covers about 75 minutes of physician time, including records review, the interview, and documentation.
What should I send before my appointment?
Send your medical records, completed forms, medical history, and payment authorization before your consultation.
Are follow-up telemedicine visits available?
Yes. Follow-up visits are available, and our Membership Program offers discounted follow-up phone and video consultations.
Can patients outside California use telemedicine?
Telemedicine is subject to state regulations, which vary. Contact our office to discuss your situation.
Schedule a Telemedicine Consultation
To request a video or phone consultation, call LA Integrative Gastroenterology & Nutrition at (310) 289-8000. Our team will help determine whether telemedicine is appropriate for your needs.