How can we help?

General Questions

Do you take insurance?

Dr. Lifestyle does not take insurances and is out of network with all commercial insurances.. Dr. Micah Yu does accept Medicare.

You can still see Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu if you have insurance. You can find out from your insurance how much it is to see an out of network physician and how much you can get reimbursed from your insurance.

Dr. Lifestyle can generate a superbill that includes a summary of your visit with diagnosis, charges, and other services to give to your insurance. We recommend contacting your insurance to understand your benefits before scheduling with us.

Do you take insurance?

Dr. Lifestyle does not take insurances and is out of network with all commercial insurances.. Dr. Micah Yu does accept Medicare.

You can still see Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu if you have insurance. You can find out from your insurance how much it is to see an out of network physician and how much you can get reimbursed from your insurance.

Dr. Lifestyle can generate a superbill that includes a summary of your visit with diagnosis, charges, and other services to give to your insurance. We recommend contacting your insurance to understand your benefits before scheduling with us.

How much does insurance reimburse for a visit to an out of network doctor?

Depending on your insurance, most PPOs reimburse anywhere from 30-70%. Many patients find this satisfying because of the additional, thorough care Dr. Lifestyle provides.

How does pricing work?

Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu have different prices listed when making an appointment.

Their prices are listed under the Services tab.

Do you offer telehealth services?

Yes, a secure HIPAA compliant tele-health platform will allow us to securely text, video chat, and more. This can be in place of office visits when appropriate.

Do you see patients throughout the USA?

We offer services from coast to coast. Dr. Melissa Mondala sees patients in California, Florida, and will be obtaining more licenses in the near future. Feel free to schedule a meet & greet to see if we can serve you. Dr. Micah Yu can care for you if you are residing in California, Arizona, Colorado,  Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan,  New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington and more to come very soon. If you do not reside in the states listed, you still can sign up if you visit our location in Newport Beach, California at least once a year.

Do you see patients outside of the USA?

Yes, through innovative avenues such as telemedicine and our patient portal, we do offer services internationally.

Where is your physical location?

We are blessed to be located in beautiful sunny Southern California very near to a tourist destination – Newport Beach, Balboa Island, and Back Bay. We are located in a “Union Bank” Building on the second floor in a plant-friendly plaza. 1501 Westcliff Drive Suite 201, Newport Beach, CA 92660

What happens if I cancel my appointment or reschedule an appointment?

If you cancel your appointment with at least 48 business hours notice, there will not be a cancellation fee. Cancellations within 48 business hours notice will be subject to a $100 no show/late cancellation fee. Cancellation fees are waived if you are a Dr. Lifestyle Member.

How do I make an appointment?

You must be registered with Dr. Lifestyle to make an appointment. There is no charge to register and no commitment after you register. Once registered you will login to the portal then select “My Appointments”, you will then see step 1. “Selecting a provider”, step 2. “Selecting your appointment type”, then step 3. “Selecting your appointment time.”

 

There is a $100 initial deposit at the time of making an initial appointment that will be credited towards your first appointment.  If you cancel or have late cancellation on your initial visit then the initial deposit will be forfeited.

Will you be offering classes or community events?

Dr. Lifestyle will be offering a 8-week health & wellness class in 2021. They will be hosting community walks and much more!

General Questions for Dr. Melissa Mondala

What is the advantage of Direct Primary Care?

Physicians are not paid per appointment, and each doctor has a patient panel far smaller than those in most traditional practices. This allows them to spend more time with the patient. Typical office visits last 45-60 minutes, as compared with the hurried 15-minute visits in other practices. More time results in better care and thus improvements in health. Additionally, virtual (online) visits from the comfort of your home will be offered after an initial consultation.

What is the advantage of Direct Primary Care?

Physicians are not paid per appointment, and each doctor has a patient panel far smaller than those in most traditional practices. This allows them to spend more time with the patient. Typical office visits last 45-60 minutes, as compared with the hurried 15-minute visits in other practices. More time results in better care and thus improvements in health. Additionally, virtual (online) visits from the comfort of your home will be offered after an initial consultation.

What is the difference between the Gold and Platinum Plan?

Dr. Melissa Mondala offers the Gold Plan for those interested in receiving care and having their questions answered 5 days a week, compared to the Platinum Plan which is 7 days a week.

The Gold Plan includes 1 comprehensive visit per month while the Platinum plan includes 1 comprehensive visit every 2 weeks.

The Platinum plan has extended hours for appointments and questions through secure messaging such as the portal, text, and phone call. The Platinum plan typically includes 60-minute visits versus the Gold plan has 30 minute visits. 

The Executive Plan is for those who are extremely busy but who seriously value their health and wellness. Dr. Melissa Mondala offers weekly visits up to 2 hours with one-on-one guided meditation, behavioral counseling, health and life coaching, guided meal planning, pantry set-up, grocery strategy, and so much more. You will be able to experience Dr. Melissa Mondala’s specialized services of the combination of Lifestyle Medicine, Culinary Medicine, and Psychiatry to the fullest. 

What if I need to see a Specialist?

Dr. Mondala will refer patients to specialists when necessary.

What if I need imaging or lab work?

Dr. Lifestyle offers discounted lab prices through local Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics. Through relationships established with local facilities, patients will be provided discounted rates for blood work, X-rays, Ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs. If you would like to use your insurance, paying for routine labs and imaging is definitely an option, and most patients’ preference.

Do I still need insurance?

Yes, it is advised patients keep insurance for emergencies and unforeseen surgical procedures. In general, direct primary care practices can pair well with high deductible health plans or medical cost-sharing plans. Check with your company to see if your Health Savings Account (HSA) is eligible. We recommend you consult an insurance broker to decide what plan makes the most sense for you.

Is this Concierge Medicine?

No. However, there is an overlap between direct primary care and concierge medicine. The most important difference is in the cost and billing structure. In general, concierge practices charge an annual retainer along with billing insurance, typically over $1800 per year. Most concierge practices charge several thousand dollars per month to provide 24/7 access. Direct primary care practices generally charge monthly fees and do not bill insurance for other services. Both concierge medicine and direct primary care strive to improve the experience you have at the doctor’s office by making care more personal and taking more time to listen. We think of DPC as Concierge Medicine for the rest of us.

I don’t see the doctor often. Why should I join?

Having a trusted relationship with your primary doctor is important, even if you’re healthy. Primary care, lifestyle medicine trained physicians, such as Dr. Melissa Mondala encompasses preventive services to help minimize the risk of future disease. Should you ever get sick, your physician will be there to guide and facilitate your care with specialists. Dr. Melissa Mondala wears many physician hats as a family medicine physician that offers lifestyle consulting, urgent care services, health and wellness coaching, and psychiatry primary care services.

I own a small business. Can you help me?

Dr. Lifestyle is happy to partner with you to bring quality services to your employees and reduce time away from work. Please contact us if you would like to learn more. We provide a special rate for small business employees.

What if I decide to cancel?

The cancellation process is easy. Contact us within 30 days of the desired cancellation and your membership will be terminated. You will not be locked into long-term contracts or commitments. There is a re-enrollment fee if you cancel and then decide to rejoin.

How do I sign up for your Direct Primary Care?

You can sign up on the “Our Services” page. In order to provide excellent service to patients, Dr. Melissa Mondala will be capping her patient panel at about one fourth the size of physicians in a traditional practice.

Do you take new patients?

Yes, we are accepting new patients. Simply follow the steps and make an appointment with us or schedule a meet and greet with Dr. Melissa Mondala.

What is a meet and greet?

“Meet is greet” is a unique appointment that allows you to meet Dr. Melissa Mondala to determine if she is the right fit for you. You can discuss your brief medical history, share your interests and concerns, while discussing her payment model. She will be happy to discuss and answer your questions to help you understand her services and membership.

What is a membership?

Membership is continuous care that can be paid monthly or annually. It allows you to have greater access and cost savings, unlike other traditional medical practices. Paying for membership allows you to get the accountability and quality care needed for a healthy sustainable lifestyle.

What is a one-time visit?

One time visits are for those who just need one service such as an annual physical exam and don’t anticipate further care such as a membership. Other needs can be addressed at this visit, however, please note it will be limited to a 1-hour visit.

What is the difference between Dr. Melissa Mondala’s one-time visit vs. membership?

Dr. Meilssa Mondala spends quality time with her members. Members will be able to have access to her plant-based and lifestyle resources, group classes, and community events.

General Questions for Dr. Micah Yu

How is Dr. Yu different from other Rheumatologists?

Dr. Yu provides a holistic approach to rheumatology. He understands the power of food and lifestyle medicine and is able to blend allopathic medicine with complementary medicine. He has training in multiple complementary medicine fields including being certified in Lifestyle Medicine and Functional Medicine.  He has also completed a 2 year fellowship in Integrative Medicine.

How is Dr. Yu different from other Rheumatologists?

Dr. Yu provides a holistic approach to rheumatology. He understands the power of food and lifestyle medicine and is able to blend allopathic medicine with complementary medicine. He has training in multiple complementary medicine fields including being board certified in lifestyle medicine, being in his second fellowship studying integrative medicine at the University of Arizona.  

How long are visits?

Your new visit will be 1 hour and follow ups at 30 minutes.

Does Dr. Yu prescribe traditional rheumatology medications?

Dr. Yu can prescribe traditional rheumatology medications such as biologics. He will go over your symptoms and diagnoses with you to come up with a treatment plan that fits your goal.

Can Dr. Yu be my primary rheumatologist?

Dr. Yu can be your primary rheumatologist but can also provide second opinions as well.

Does insurance cover my labs, medications, and imaging?

When Dr. Yu orders you labs, medications, and imaging, those orders go through your insurance. The only time you will be paying Dr. Yu directly is through your visits.

Why should you be a patient of Dr. Yu’s?

Dr. Yu is a rheumatologist that combines the fields of rheumatology, lifestyle medicine, functional, and integrative medicine. His unique model of care and expertise is very rare. Very few physicians, if any, have undergone extensive training in these combined fields. In addition to his unique approach, when you become a patient of Dr. Yu’s, you will get direct access to him. You will no longer have to wait days or weeks to hear back from your rheumatologist.

What states is Dr. Yu licensed in?

He is currently licensed in California, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Utah, and Washington.  However, you can message him directly if there are any state licenses you would like him to pursue outside of California. 

What is Dr. Yu’s membership program?

The membership program allows patients to contact Dr. Yu for flares and any questions that my arise regarding nutrition and integrative medicine as well.  His pricing is under the Rheumatology Services page.

Does Dr. Yu take Medicare?

Dr. Lifestyle does not take insurances and is out of network with all commercial insurances.  At this time we are not accepting medicare or medicaid patients.  You can still see Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu if you have insurance. You can find out from your insurance how much it is to see an out of network physician and how much you can get reimbursed from your insurance. Dr. Lifestyle can generate a superbill that includes a summary of your visit with diagnosis, charges, and other services to give to your insurance. We recommend contacting your insurance to understand your benefits before scheduling with us.

Does Dr. Yu take Insurance?

Dr. Lifestyle does not take insurances and is out of network with all commercial insurances.  At this time we are not accepting medicare or medicaid patients.  You can still see Dr. Melissa Mondala and Dr. Micah Yu if you have insurance. You can find out from your insurance how much it is to see an out of network physician and how much you can get reimbursed from your insurance. Dr. Lifestyle can generate a superbill that includes a summary of your visit with diagnosis, charges, and other services to give to your insurance. We recommend contacting your insurance to understand your benefits before scheduling with us.

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