Who do you serve? 

 

Dr. Pourtabib holds a medical license as a physician in both California and Nevada to practice full-spectrum medicine.

 

If you reside outside California and Nevada, Dr. Pourtabib is available for medical coaching/counseling that does not include prescribing medications.

 

Dr. Pourtabib is licensed to provide medical care to adults, adolescents, and children. 

 

Do you offer your services in Spanish? 

 

Yes, Dr. Pourtabib is fluent in both written and spoken Spanish. 

 

How do I access the video calls? 

 

Via doxy.me, Dr. Pourtabib will send you a one-time link that will be used for all video call appointments. This link is always the same. You do not need to download an application to access doxy.me. Simply click on the link sent via any web browser for immediate access. Visits are also available over the phone.

 

Why do you not accept insurance? 

 

Soraya MD is a one-woman practice. I would need a billing department to accept insurance.

 

Packages can be paid in installments, and a sliding scale is available based on need.

 

The cost of your medical care with Soraya MD is a medical expense deduction that the IRS generally allows when filing your taxes. 

 

Can I submit the expense of my medical visit to my insurance company for reimbursement? 

 

Yes, Soraya MD can provide a superbill that can be submitted to your private health care insurance for full or partial reimbursement. 

 

Reimbursify.com is a company that, for a low fee, can submit all claims on your behalf. 

 

What are the benefits of a concierge direct primary care membership? 

 

After paying an annual fee for membership, patients have unlimited access to Dr. Pourtabib for their primary care needs. You can speak with or see your physician within 24 hours of your request. There are no hidden additional fees, co-pays, or surprise bills. 

 

Soraya MD offers transparent, personalized care in the comfort of your home. 

 

Dr. Pourtabib limits the number of patients on her panel to offer on-demand care. 

 

Is the cost of membership covered by FSA/HSA? 

 

Although concierge direct primary care membership fees are not considered a qualified medical cost for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), they can be paid for using Flexible Spending Account (FSA) dollars.

 

Functional medicine lab costs can be submitted to an FSA and HSA plan. 

 

Can I just pay per visit for primary care?

 

Soraya MD is a membership practice for primary care because if we could offer pay-per-visit, we would need to see thousands of patients instead of a few hundred. We would not be able to see the real change and support that we value at Soraya MD.

 

Pay-per-visit patient panels average 3000 patients per doctor. Being a membership practice allows Soraya MD to have less than 10% of that volume for more individualized treatment plans and support.

 

In the end, pay-per-visit models lead to shorter, more expensive visits, little to no support in between, and, therefore, less likelihood of a successful result. A membership model allows us to focus on results and provide you with the care you need to succeed. 

 

Research has shown that membership models of care save members thousands of dollars annually by reducing the cost of doctor's visits, labs, medication, Emergency Room visits, and Urgent care visits.

 

Why do you offer a 2-visit initial package and 3 and 6-month programs for functional medicine?

 

The 2-visit initial package ensures time for a thorough intake process, customized lab testing and result interpretation based on your body's physiology, and follow-up to create a data-driven wellness plan.

 

Stay on for the 3 and 6-month programs so that Soraya MD can support you and ensure your success, retest, or dig deeper as needed.

 

The programs allow you full access to Dr. Pourtabib between visits, where the magic happens. Life happens outside of our clinical visits when implementing your new treatment plans As you feel better, you will have new goals that Soraya MD can help you achieve.   

 

How do I know if functional medicine can help me? 

 

Dr. Pourtabib has treated hundreds of patients, and her patients improved their overall symptom scores, including symptoms related to energy, gut health, hormone balance, joint pains, metabolism, weight, skin, hair, and more. 

 

Many people turn to functional medicine because they have either not been helped by conventional medicine or who simply want more for their health. We use advanced testing that you likely have not had access to before and assess you as a whole person and not its parts to put the whole picture together. We also collaborate regularly between visits to discuss any challenges that may arise. The 3 and 6-month programs give you the time and space to heal and receive the support you need to succeed. 

Dr. Pourtabib has a strong foundation in conventional medicine and education as a Board-Certified MD and in functional medicine, having trained at the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM).  IFM is the gold standard and the only organization providing functional medicine certification with education programs directly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the governing body for official continuing education credits for physicians.  

 

By working with an MD, Dr. Pourtabib helps you rule out other disease processes or establish diagnoses that other conventional doctors have previously missed. With her training in Functional medicine, she also has the knowledge to put your whole picture together. 

 

Soraya MD believes in your innate ability to heal with the right practitioner by your side. We're looking forward to welcoming you to the Soraya MD community. 

 

How do you establish your physician rates? 

 

The cost of services and memberships is all-inclusive. Instead of billing for every minute spent on your visit, reviewing and analyzing labs, researching material for your case, the visit itself, developing a personalized plan, and composing a visit summary, we offer a flat rate. 

 

For every 30 minutes of face-to-face time, Dr. Pourtabib typically spends an extra 30-60 minutes preparing for your visit, reviewing your labs, researching your case, developing and refining personalized recommendations, ordering follow-up studies, and composing your visit notes and summary. 

 

A sliding scale is available based on need. Please do not let cost be an issue in receiving the care you need. Dr. Pourtabib will work with your budget. Payment plans are available.

 

How do I schedule an appointment? 

 

Please email/text/call Dr. Pourtabib for availability at wellness@sorayamd.com or at 

(916) 258-5827

 

What time and days will Soraya MD be open? 

 

The schedule is flexible based on demand, 7 days a week, and appointments are available during the day and evening.

 

Why work with a Board Certified Obesity Medicine Specialist over a primary care provider or community weight loss program and/or an online weight loss platform? 

 

By working with an experienced obesity medicine specialist one-on-one, you will receive individualized, comprehensive management to reach your desired goals. Just like there are multiple treatment options to treat chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, the same is true for weight loss. There is no one-size-fits-all.

 

Unfortunately, Primary Care Providers are time-limited and cannot provide the needed counseling, education, and medication management that are essential for successful long-term weight loss and maintenance.

 

Multiple factors contribute to weight gain, and the combination of those contributing factors affects people differently.

 

An obesity medicine specialist understands this and manages treatment accordingly to achieve results through patient-specific troubleshooting, coaching, counseling, and medication management. 

 

Can't I just lose weight with a GLP 1 agonist? 

 

Unfortunately, the potency of these drugs will not last, and patients will regain weight and/or not reach their weight loss goals even on the highest doses of either Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound without proper medical management that addresses the multiple factors contributing to weight gain.

 

An obesity medicine specialist will add, adjust, and/or remove anti-obesity medications to allow the body to release its weight set point and help you overcome any weight loss plateaus during the active weight loss phase and the maintenance phase.

 

 Why do you offer 3-month and 6-month weight loss programs? 

 

To make positive life changes, one needs to be held accountable by a medical professional and coach. Many people know what to do but do not consistently apply the principles they have learned so that they become automatic positive lifestyle habits.

 

Also, since each individual's weight loss journey is unique, appropriate adjustments will be made to a patient's nutrition, physical activity, environment, medications, etc., based on the program's results. The client stays motivated and on track and loses weight efficiently. 

 

By committing to bimonthly one-on-one sessions with the option to contact Dr. Pourtabib between sessions for troubleshooting, weight loss success is inevitable. 

 

How do I continue to follow up with Dr. Soraya Pourtabib after completing the 3 and 6-month programs? 

 

After completing the 3-month or 6-month programs, patients can continue with Dr. Pourtabib as a direct concierge primary care practice member. 

 

 I have more questions, how do I get more information? 

 

Please email/text/call Dr. Pourtabib to schedule a free introductory phone call at wellness@sorayamd.com or (916) 258-5827.