FRONT/BACK OFFICE
Q: What should I bring to my appointment?
A: Please make sure you bring your insurance card, photo Id and any records pertaining to your medical history.
Q: Do I have to have a full bladder for the exam?
A: For our ultrasound exams we do not require a full bladder.
Q: How long should I expect my visit to be?
A: Usually, our visits will be from 45 minutes to an hour long.
Q: Can my husband and kids come to the appointment?
A: Only one adult guest is allowed. Please do not bring your children to the appointment.
Q: How can I get a copy of my medical records and what is the turnaround time?
A: To obtain a copy of your medical records, download the request form from our website or ask for one in our office. We typically provide records from the past five years within 5-7 business days. For records older than five years, the turnaround time is approximately 14 business days. Please contact us if you need any assistance requesting your records.
Q: Is Perinatal Diagnostic Center part of the Community Memorial hospital?
A: We are on the same street as the Community Memorial Hospital but are two separate entities.
Q: Is the NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) fully covered by my insurance?
A: We provide the blood draw for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as a courtesy but do not do the billing. You will choose an NIPT company, which will bill you directly. We will give you information on NIPT companies to select from after your blood draw.
Q: How long does it typically take to receive my test results for the noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), AFP screening, amniocentesis, and ultrasound?
A: On average, you can expect to receive your NIPT and AFP screening results within 7-10 business days after we draw your blood samples. For amniocentesis, the full results are usually available 10-14 business days after the procedure. For ultrasounds performed in our office, we normally fax the full report to your provider by the end of the day on which the ultrasound is done.
Q: What are your guidelines for Covid-19?
A: Due to Covid-19 we are requesting a temperature check upon arrival. Masks are required in our facility at all times. One adult guest is allowed to accompany you to the appointment.
Q: Is Dr. Jadali an Obstetrician - an OB doctor?
A: Dr. Jadali is double Board Certified Obstetrician Gynecologist with Sub-Specialty training in Maternal–Fetal Medicine, also referred to as Perinatology. Please note that Dr. Jadali may be listed with some insurances as an OB/GYN provider, however, he is a Perinatologist specializing in high-risk pregnancy. He is not a delivering OB doctor.
Q: Can I be a patient of Dr. Jadali even if I have not been referred?
A: We can schedule you an appointment if your insurance allows us to see you without prior authorization, but if it is needed your current OB or PCP provider will have to submit authorization for our office to see you. You can speak to someone in our authorizations department if you need assistance.
Q: Can a relative call to get my baby's gender results from prenatal testing?
A: A relative can only receive your baby’s gender results if we have your prior written consent on file, allowing us to release that information. Without your written permission, we cannot share any results with anyone other than you directly due to privacy laws. If you would like a relative to have access to your baby’s gender, please provide us with written consent specifying the name(s) of relatives authorized to receive this information.
Q: Is it safe for me to get the COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster during pregnancy?
A: Our providers recommend and encourage pregnant patients to get vaccinated against COVID-19, including booster doses, in alignment with recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
Q: Can I schedule for a 3D ultrasound?
A: We include the 3D ultrasound with your medically necessary scan. We would kindly like to add that we do not provide plush heartbeat and/or ultrasound video CD. We will, however, be able to provide you with images of your ultrasound only, and if, the baby is in a position allowing us to see him/her.
Q: Can I schedule an appointment without having an authorization?
A: Yes, you can schedule an appointment with us before obtaining authorization. However, we must have the authorization on file before the time of your actual appointment. If we do not receive the authorization by your scheduled appointment date and time, we will need to either cancel or reschedule the appointment.
Q: Is there any special preparation needed for my ultrasound appointment?
A: The only preparation we require for your ultrasound is that you arrive with an empty bladder.
MEDICAL APPOINTMENT & ULTRASOUNDS
Q: How many ultrasounds do I need to have?
A: At least 3, one at each trimester, then depending on the results and risk factors you may need more.
Q: What is the purpose of the nuchal translucency (NT) measurement during pregnancy?
A: The nuchal translucency (NT) is a sonogram measurement of the space at the back of the baby’s neck during the first trimester. It is one part of the two-step first-trimester screening process, along with a blood test. Combining the NT measurement with the blood test helps calculate the baby’s risk for certain chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13, as well as potential heart problems. However, it is important to understand that the NT screening only provides risk information, not a diagnosis.
Q: What gets done during the second trimester ultrasound and screening?
A: The second-trimester ultrasound provides a detailed anatomical survey of the baby as well as a second-trimester blood work screening.
Q: What will be done during my prenatal appointment?
A: Your visit will include an ultrasound and consultation with your provider. Any appropriate prenatal screening blood tests, such as AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) and NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) are offered based on your stage of pregnancy.
Q:What is the purpose of the 3rd trimester ultrasound?
A: The 3rd-trimester ultrasound allows us to check on your baby’s overall well-being and development late in pregnancy. Specifically, we will assess the baby’s growth, examine the amniotic fluid levels, and determine the baby’s position in the womb. This ultrasound helps us ensure your pregnancy usually progresses leading up to delivery.
Q: Will I be receiving ultrasound photos?
A: Yes, we will provide ultrasound photos to you digitally. We will send a link to the ultrasound images that you can access on your cell phone or email. It is your responsibility to download and save the images within 30 days before the link expires.
Q: Can I take videos or pictures during my ultrasound?
A: Taking videos or pictures during the ultrasound is not allowed.
Q: Does my baby stay head down until delivery? Will she/he turn? Is it normal for a baby to be breech in the third trimester?
A: There is a big variation of normal. Babies change positions constantly; if your baby’s head is down, we cannot guarantee your baby’s head will remain down to the end of your pregnancy.
Q: If the baby has a lot of hair, will I get a heartburn?
A: No, it is irrelevant.
Q: Is there a female present at all times during my visit?
A: We do have females present. Our sonographers are all females. The doctors are males, but we do have female medical assistant’s that can accompany you at your request.
Q: Is an amniocentesis diagnostic?
A: Yes, an amniocentesis is a diagnostic test, but the NIPT and state screening are not.
Q: Is the baby growing well? How big is it?
A: We are checking on that, once we are done with all the measurements, we let you know how big the baby is.
Q: Can you tell me how tall the baby is?
A: We cannot tell the height as the baby is curled up in your womb.
Q: Can you see if the baby has hair?
A: Sometimes we can see the hair on the baby’s head
Q: Can you see all the fingers and toes?
A: We can see the fingers and toes, only if the baby is in a position that allow so them.
Q: Can I get a 3D 4D picture?
A: Yes, only if the baby is in a position that shows his/ her face.
Q: Does my doctor get the report? When?
A: Yes, once a report is done your doctor gets a copy of it. Usually on the same day or the next day.
MEDICAL BILLING, INSURANCE & AUTHORIZATIONS DEPARTMENT
Q: What insurances do you take?
A: Our office accepts most PPO insurance and various HMO plans.
Q: Will my insurance cover the visit, and what will be my out of pocket?
A: Every insurance is different. We ask that you contact your insurance. We are more than happy to provide you the CPT codes for the appointment.
Q: Can I request a 3D/4D and is it covered by my insurance?
A: 3D/4D ultrasounds are done if medically necessary and if the fetus is in the right position.
Q: Is the NIPT blood work covered by my insurance?
A: Every insurance is different although we draw the blood here in our facility the billing is separate from us. We recommend you check with your insurance prior to having these services done.
Q: Is the California prenatal screening (AFP) program free?
A: It is part of the California Prenatal Screening Program and is a free service to all pregnant women. Additional testing and counseling would be recommended if the test is positive.
Q: How long does the authorization take to be approved?
A: Authorizations take one week to be approved by your insurance.
Q: What are the CPT Codes required for my appointment and ultrasound to check with my insurance if I'm covered?
A: Please contact our office Authorization Department so they can provide you with the correct coding for your appointment. The codes will vary by appointment based on how many weeks you are.
Q: How will my insurance be billed?
A: Claims will be submitted to your insurance after you have had your scheduled appointment. Claims are billed per visit. This is different from your OBGYN visits. Those visits will be billed within a global period after birth.
Q: What is a Premium?
A: A premium is what you pay to have insurance coverage. This payment is similar to car insurance premiums.
Q: What is a Deductible?
A: A deductible is the balance that the patient is responsible for before the insurance will pay towards the visit. Refer to your insurance contract to see what your deductible is. When a claim is filed and you have not met your deductible, the insurance processes the claim and determines what the patient’s responsibility would be. The provider does not control this cost. This is between the insured and the insurance plan. Refer to your insurance plan to check when your deductible begins.
Q: What is a Copay?
A: A copay is the amount due from the patient at the time of every visit. It is a set amount that is located on the insurance card. A perinatologist is considered a specialist physician and your copay will reflect the specialist charge.
Q: What is a Coinsurance?
A: A coinsurance is an agreement between the insurance company and the insured where the insurance will pay a certain percentage of the visit and the insured will pay the other percent to total 100% of the cost. Refer to your insurance contract to see if you have a coinsurance with your policy.
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