FAQ
How is Dr. Maki different from other practices?
Dr. Maki has an integrative practice offering a true holistic approach to the delivery of medical care. His integrative approach combines the best of conventional and complementary medicine, addressing not only physical symptoms but also psychological, social, and environmental aspects of health and illness. He believes in stimulating the intrinsic human ability for healing, while partnering with patients to provide safe and effective choices for their health care. Dr. Maki offers longer visits, guaranteed availability and other customized services to meet each patient’s specific needs. Dr. Maki also understands that time is precious, so he strives to always be on time for his appointments and will not make you wait.
Do you take insurance?
Dr. Maki has a fee for service practice which means he does not take insurance. His office accepts payment at the time of the visit in the form of check, Visa, MasterCard, cash, and debit cards. However, you will be provided with insurance specific paper work so that you may seek reimbursement directly from your insurer.
Are lab tests covered?
In some cases your insurance may cover the cost of blood tests ordered by an “out of network” provider. you should check with your insurer or your employer’s HR department, as each plan varies.
Why do I need health insurance?
Dr. Maki’s practice is not a substitute for your health insurance. However, by choosing to work with Dr. Maki, your health insurance needs may change and you may find it advantageous to alter your current plan. Three suggestions are listed below. In the long run, your aggregate medical/insurance costs could decline if you adopt one of these options. Your situation is unique and the decisions you make should always be guided by your personal financial and tax advisors as well as a qualified insurance agent.
a. Increasing your health insurance deductible
Many people have Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) health plan, with a relatively low ($500-1000) deductible; however, the premiums for these types of plan can be expensive. By increasing your deductible, monthly premiums may be greatly reduced, resulting in significant annual savings.
b. Using a Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) to pay for services with Dr. Maki.
As an employee, you may have access to a Health Care Reimbursement Account as part of your benefits package. An HCRA lets you set aside a predetermined annual pre-tax amount, to use for qualified medical expenses. Individuals may generally direct a maximum of $5000 per year to such an account; if their spouse is also an employee, then together they may contribute up to $10,000. Note, however, that you must carefully track your health expenses, as the IRS requires that you forfeit any unused HCRA money after the closing date of the plan year.
c. Using a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for services with Dr. Maki
Health Savings Accounts provide tax advantaged opportunities for the self-employed. An HSA combines a tax favored savings account and a qualified high deductible health insurance policy (HDHP). Based on 2009 figures, Health Savings Accounts allow you to deposit up to $3,000 for individuals or $5,950 for families into your HSA. Whatever you deposit into your account up to April 15 each year is an “above the line” tax deduction for your annual taxes, meaning you get a federal income tax deduction for money you put in even if you take the standard deduction and don’t itemize. To qualify, you must have an approved high deductible insurance plan with at least a $1,150 deductible for an individual or $2,300 deductible for your family. The annual out-of-pocket expenses for a qualified HDHP including deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance cannot exceed $5,800 for an individual or $11,600 for a family. Your contributions to a HSA accrue interest on a tax exempt basis. Unused amounts roll over to the succeeding year and aren’t taxed if used for qualified medical expenses!
The above suggestions are not intended as specific tax or insurance advice and may become outdated without notice. Your situation and insurance decisions should be discussed with your financial and tax advisors and a qualified insurance agent.
What happens if I have a question or need to get in contact with Dr. Maki outside of regular business hours?
For existing patients, Dr. Maki provides several options for communication, such as email, instant messaging and cell phone access.