The South Asian physician consultants address common conditions in South Asians, such as diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity and heart disease, by providing a thorough evaluation and detailed lifestyle plan. The consultants work in partnership with your primary care doctor.

To schedule a consultation, please call (650) 330-4523.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during the consultation?

The visit is meant to be a comprehensive evaluation of your current health within a South Asian framework. Your medical history, labs and any other relevant tests will be reviewed in detail. The doctor will discuss your individual risk profile in addition to a summary of nutrition and lifestyle options. South Asian — adjusted target numbers will help set your goal weight, cholesterol and other risk measures. Your primary care doctor typically handles medication management, but the consultant may make recommendations.

Does insurance cover this?

This visit is treated like any other consultation or specialty visit and should be covered by your insurance. You can check with your insurance company for confirmation regarding coverage for the visit.

Do I have to be a PAMF (Palo Alto Medical Foundation) patient?

No. You can call to schedule an appointment and will need to bring your insurance information during the check-in process. If you are a Kaiser - or cash-paying patient, you will be expected to pay the full consultation fee out of pocket.

Do the consultants communicate with my regular doctor?

Yes. If you are a PAMF patient, communication is done through our electronic medical records. If you are not a PAMF patient, please bring your doctor’s contact information and we will send a copy of our consultation notes and recommendations to your primary doctor. If you would like to establish care with a PAMF primary care doctor, please visit our Find a Doctor page.

How often will I be seen?

This depends. Most people need a full 60-minute consultation followed by a shorter follow-up visit to monitor progress. After the follow-up you will either be referred back to your primary doctor or, if you have more complex issues, you may choose future visits with a South Asian consultant.