New Patients

What to Expect

• Please schedule enough time! In order for us to provide the best and most complete care, the first visit may take up to two hours.
•  The main goal of your first visit is to help us gain a comprehensive understanding of your medical condition. This visit will include a detailed history, physical exam (in most cases), skin testing, and a breathing test for some patients.
• We will review our findings with you at the end of your first visit or at your next appointment. At this time, we will make recommendations and plan a course of action. We encourage you to ask questions and to even bring a spouse or family member.
• Your allergist will perform a very thorough evaluation of your condition.  An initial allergy/asthma evaluation will cost between $170.00 and $300.00.  Other testing, such as skin tests or pulmonary test, may be necessary and are charged in addition to your evaluation.  It is your responsibility to check your insurance coverage and benefits prior to your appointment.  If your insurance requires a referral from your primary care physician, you must bring that with you.  This also so applies to Medicaid Healthy Connections.

• Copies of previous allergy/asthma evaluations and other relevant records
• List of medications and the dosage that your currently take (feel free to bring your medications, inhalers, sprays, etc. with you)
• Completed the Following Forms (This was sent to you in the mail. It can also be downloaded from the web site):

New Patient Form

Allergy and Asthma Personal History Form

Asthma Questionnaire Form

• Name, address, and policy number of your insurance company

Avoid Antihistamines Before Skin Testing

• Antihistamines interfere with skin testing. You will need to stop taking most antihistamines for three days before testing. If you take Allegra, Claritin, and/or Loratidine (Alavert), you must stop one week before skin testing. (See “Skin Testing and Medications Below.”)

Skin Testing and Medications

(Benadryl, Bromfed, Chlortrimeton, Chomist LA, Codimal, DA Chewables, Dimetane, Duravent, Durax, Entex/Entex LA, Extendryl, Hycomine, Kromfed, Mescolor, Nolamine/Nolahist, Periactin, Phenergan, Rynatan 72 Hours, Rynatuss, Semprex, Sinulin, Tanfed, Tavist/Tavist D, Trinalin, Tussi 12, Tussionex, plus many others)

24-72 hours

72 hours

96 hours

(Alavert, Allegra, Claritin, Clarinex, Zyrtec)

1 week

(amitryptiline, anafranil, desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (pamelor), sinequan (doxepin), trimipramine (Surmontil), vivactil)

1 week

(axid (nizatidine), Pepcid (famotidine), Tagamet (cimetidine),  Zantac (ranitidine)

24 hours

Medications that do not need to be held:  All anti-asthma medications, all preventative nose sprays except Astelin, all proton pump inhibitors (Aciphex, Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix), pure decongestants such as Entex.