Questions about virtual care

All visits are virtual, by secure video. Dr. Alkhaddo is no longer accepting new patients at the Carlsbad office, and there are no in-person visits in the virtual practice.

The virtual practice is cash-pay and does not bill insurance. You pay at the time of your visit and receive an itemized superbill you can submit to your insurer for possible out-of-network reimbursement or credit toward your deductible. Most PPO plans have out-of-network benefits; HMO plans usually do not. Reimbursement is determined by your insurer and isn't guaranteed.

Unfortunately, no. The cash-pay virtual practice is unable to see patients enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid (Medi-Cal). Because Dr. Alkhaddo remains enrolled in Medicare for his other work, he cannot privately contract on a cash basis for Medicare-covered services.

A new-patient consultation (60 minutes) is $349, and a follow-up visit is $174. If you'd prefer ongoing care, NCEA Direct Membership is $199/month and includes your visits.

Pay-per-visit suits a one-time consultation, a second opinion, or occasional care. NCEA Direct Membership ($199/mo) is best for ongoing management — it includes your visits, secure messaging between visits, remote glucose/CGM review, prior authorizations, and an annual health-maintenance plan.

A superbill is an itemized receipt that includes the medical codes insurers need. After your visit, you submit it to your insurance company to request out-of-network reimbursement or to apply the cost toward your deductible. We provide one on request after each visit.

Yes, when clinically appropriate. Prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy, and we submit any prior authorizations your insurance requires. Medication costs are billed through your pharmacy and insurance, separately from the visit fee.

Diabetes, thyroid disease, obesity and weight management, and a range of other hormonal and metabolic conditions.

Any labs or imaging are ordered to your usual laboratory or facility and billed to your insurance, just as with any physician's order. They are not included in the visit fee.

Choose pay-per-visit or membership on our Services & Pricing or Appointments page, complete the short agreement (or enrollment), and you'll be taken to a welcome page to book your first visit.

Yes. All visits and clinical messaging take place on a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform. We don't send protected health information by standard text message or email.