Frequently Asked Questions About Our Gynecology & Menopause Clinic
How does the Balanced Medical membership model work?
You will be asked to pay up front for membership in our practice. We have several payment plan options, with the best value in yearly payments. Then, you're in! No need to worry about additional fees for visits or calls. We have included 8 visits within this fee, including office procedures as needed, so you can rest assured. We will have regular check-ins to make sure you are on track with your health goals. Dr. Mandelberger has regular "open phone hours" where you can book short phone calls to review results and ask questions. And of course, if an in-person visit is needed, you book an appointment and come in! We will have regular open time slots for urgent visits. You will have access to text messaging, emails, and a convenient patient portal for booking appointments and contacting our staff. In addition, you will have access to nutritional health coaching with a certified coach.
Do you take insurance at Balanced Medical?
No, we do not contract with any insurance companies. This allows Dr. Mandelberger the time to provide the best possible care to her patients. With a membership model, you can breathe easy and not have to worry about cost for each and every visit! We recommend you check with your insurance company about out-of-network benefits. Many of our patients are able to get a good portion of their payments reimbursed. Lindsay will help you with your superbill for reimbursement with Reimbursify.
Do you have a patient roster limit at your GYN clinic?
Yes. I wish I could take care of everyone, but I must limit membership so that I can have enough time to devote to each of my patients. If there is high demand for care, I will definitely look into hiring an excellent partner (my standards will be high). If you cannot afford our membership or we are closed out, we will keep you on a waiting list. In the meantime, for quality education on women's health and menopause, please see all-things-menopause.com to join an educational group and follow me on Instagram for educational content @drmandelberger. Also, keep following this site for my free informational blog.
Do you take care of pregnancies?
No, I do not practice obstetrics. This allows me to really focus on and excel at my passion. If a patient of mine were to become pregnant, I would refer her to an excellent obstetrical colleague.
Do you see younger patients who are not in menopause at Balanced Medical?
Yes, I do, but I only have a limited number of spots for patients ages 18-34. At this time, we are accepting 50 patients in this age group and 200 patients ages 34+.
Can I use an HSA account to pay for my Balanced Medical membership?
Yes! We accept HSA and FSA cards.
Does the Balanced Medical membership replace insurance?
No, we are not an insurance plan. We cannot guarantee access to care for emergencies. Also, while we provide extensive preventative lifestyle coaching, we are not a primary care office, and we recommend you still maintain a PCP, such as an internal medicine or family medicine doctor.
How can I prepare for my first visit to your GYN office?
Gather your records: mammogram, pap, dexa, cardiology visit, PCP visit, and bloodwork, including lipid panel, TSH, hormone testing, or any others. Be sure to fill out our intake form, check all of your medications and supplements, including brands (take pictures of bottles if needed). Catch up on your family history and ask family members about their medical history if needed.
Do you do pap smears at Balanced Medical?
Of course! We provide full scope gynecology care with "annual" exam screenings, including pap smears, mammogram scripts, and any other necessary testing for patients who are part of the full-scope gynecology memberships.
Will I need to pay for labs or imaging?
Probably not. If you have insurance, that will likely cover many of those fees, as the laboratories can bill your insurance for the tests. There may be some instances where certain tests will not be covered, and we will discuss this.
Are procedures included in the membership?
Small office procedures are included as part of the full scope gynecology membership. Examples include vulvar biopsies, endometrial biopsies, IUD insertions/removals, colposcopies, and others. Higher risk procedures that may or may not require anesthesia, such as D+C/hysteroscopies, or larger surgeries such as hysterectomies or myomectomies, are at an additional cost that will be provided up-front.
What if I want to switch doctors?
No hard feelings! You may cancel the membership at any time. However, we ask that you make a 6-month commitment to us, and you will not be refunded for less than 6 months of membership. We would be glad to forward any records you may need to other providers. Also, second opinions outside of the practice are always welcome.
Do I need to be a member to see Dr. Mandelberger?
No, we do have fee-for-service options for patients who do not wish to be members. However, we strongly recommend membership for the best value and, most importantly, to take money out of the equation and come in whenever you need. In addition, you will enjoy all of the perks of membership, including priority bookings, text messaging with Dr. Mandelberger, free scheduled phone calls, access to online educational materials, discounts, and more! The best value is in the membership. See price list for further information.