Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on your insurance plan. Most PPO plans, Medicare, and many direct plans do not require prior authorization for specialist visits. Some plans — particularly HMOs — may require authorization before a visit or procedure is covered. Our team will verify this when you contact us, so you always know what to expect before your appointment.

A new patient consultation typically lasts 45–60 minutes. If in-office testing (such as spirometry or a pulmonary function test) is scheduled on the same day, plan for an additional 30–45 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork.

Please call us at (844) 428-5864 or text us at (818) 366-2997 as soon as possible. We ask for at least 24 hours' notice so we can offer your slot to another patient who may be waiting.

We accept Medicare (no auth required), Medi-Cal, most major PPO plans, and have contracts with more than 40 HMO and IPA medical groups in the greater Los Angeles area. View our full accepted insurance list, or call us at (844) 428-5864 to verify your specific plan.

Many specialist visits and pulmonary procedures do require prior authorization. Our team handles this process on your behalf before confirming your appointment. This is one of the main reasons we call to confirm rather than allowing instant online scheduling.

Please call our office to discuss options. We are happy to speak with you about available arrangements.

This is one of our most common questions. Whether you hold your inhalers depends on what your doctor wants to measure and which medication you take. General guidelines:

• Short-acting bronchodilators (albuterol / levalbuterol / ProAir / Xopenex): hold 4–6 hours before the test.
• Short-acting anticholinergics (ipratropium / Atrovent): hold 4–6 hours before.
• Long-acting bronchodilators (salmeterol, formoterol — e.g., Advair, Symbicort): hold 12 hours before.
• Ultra-long-acting bronchodilators (tiotropium / Spiriva, umeclidinium, olodaterol): hold 24 hours before.
• Inhaled corticosteroids alone (fluticasone, budesonide): generally do not need to be held.

Important: Always follow the specific instructions given by your physician. In some cases, your doctor may want a test performed while you are on your usual medications. If you're unsure, call us before your appointment.

• Do not smoke for at least 4–6 hours before the test.
• Avoid heavy exercise for at least 30 minutes beforehand.
• Avoid eating a large meal immediately before — a light meal is fine.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid caffeine if possible, as it can act as a mild bronchodilator.

A pulmonary function test is non-invasive and generally not painful. You will breathe into a mouthpiece connected to a machine, following instructions from a technician. You'll be asked to breathe in and out as deeply and forcefully as you can. The test typically takes 30–45 minutes. Some patients feel slightly lightheaded or fatigued immediately afterward, which resolves quickly.

Spirometry is a basic breathing test that measures how much air you can breathe in and out and how fast you can exhale. It is commonly used to diagnose and monitor asthma and COPD. A full PFT is more comprehensive — it also measures lung volumes (how much air your lungs can hold) and diffusion capacity (how well oxygen crosses from your lungs into your bloodstream). Your physician will order whichever tests are appropriate for your situation.

Common signs that a sleep study may be appropriate include loud snoring, observed pauses in breathing during sleep, waking up gasping or choking, excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep time, and morning headaches. Your physician will evaluate your symptoms and determine if a home sleep test or in-lab sleep study is indicated. Learn more about sleep apnea.

A home sleep test (HST) is performed in your own bed using a portable monitoring device. It measures your breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate overnight. It is convenient and is appropriate for most patients who are suspected of having moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea without significant other health conditions. An in-lab polysomnogram (PSG) is more comprehensive and is conducted at a sleep center with a technician present. It measures brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, and breathing, among other parameters. Your physician will recommend the most appropriate test based on your clinical history.

We treat a full range of pulmonary and sleep conditions, including COPD, asthma, sleep apnea, pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, chronic cough, unexplained shortness of breath, pulmonary nodules, and more. View our full conditions page.

We have three locations:

Northridge: 17075 Devonshire St., Suite 205, Northridge, CA 91325
Encino: 16260 Ventura Blvd., Suite 600, Encino, CA 91436
Thousand Oaks: 555 Marin St., Suite 110, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

All offices are open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Yes. You can text us at (818) 366-2997 or submit an appointment request online and we'll follow up by phone. For urgent matters, please call directly at (844) 428-5864.

Please visit our Referring Physicians page for full information, including our fax number, what to include in a referral, and our full list of clinical capabilities. You can also call us directly at (844) 428-5864.