Primary Care Frequently Asked Questions
Primary care is the foundation for maintaining and improving your health. Your primary care team can also help you access specialist care quickly and easily.
If you've got questions about primary care, you'll find most of the answers here. Still have questions? Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771), available 7 days a week, 6 am - 9 pm PT.
Remember, if you or someone under your care is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, dial 911 immediately.
Choosing and Seeing a Doctor
Because we accept most health plans, including Medicare, you might be able to maintain your relationship with your doctor even when your health plan changes. Contact your new insurance company directly to confirm whether your doctor is in their network.
Depending on the type of insurance plan you have, you may need to contact your insurance company if you want to select a new primary care doctor. We're happy to help you identify a new doctor before you contact your insurance company. You can reach us 7 days a week, 6 am - 9 pm PT, at 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771).
Our doctor listings include their addresses, which you can enter into your preferred navigation device or app. If you need further assistance, call 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771), available 7 days a week, 6 am - 9 pm PT.
No matter how many times you've visited your primary care doctor, it's always best to bring your insurance card and any medications you're currently taking. Your doctor's office will let you know ahead of time if there are any forms you need to fill out and bring with you.
Once you're part of the Cedars-Sinai community, you can use My CS-Link™ (our secure online health management tool) to communicate with your doctor's office, request appointments, view upcoming and past appointments, manage prescription renewals and view your healthcare summary.
We offer easy-to-use tools to help you find a primary care doctor and schedule an appointment online. You can search and compare physicians, as well as schedule an appointment below or by calling 1-800-CEDARS-1
You can search and compare physicians with Find a Doctor, as well as schedule an appointment below or by calling 1-800-CEDARS-1.
Manage Your Healthcare With My CS-Link
With My CS-Link, you can manage your healthcare anywhere, anytime, directly on your computer, tablet or phone. Here are just some of the ways My CS-Link makes your life easier.
My CS-Link is our secure online patient portal. Through My CS-Link, you can send messages directly to your doctor's office. Sending and receiving messages is often more convenient for you than calling, and most questions or concerns that don't require an appointment can be handled easily this way. You can use My CS-Link on your desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone—whatever's most convenient for you.
Yes. If you have a refillable prescription, you can send a refill request directly through My CS-Link. In non-emergency situations, your prescription will be authorized and filled within two working days at your pharmacy of choice.
If you need an urgent prescription refill, ask your pharmacy to call or fax a request to your doctor's office for the quickest turnaround. If you call your doctor’s office to follow up, please be ready to provide the name of the medication, the dosage and the number of tablets or duration on your current prescription.
Yes. The time it takes to receive lab test results varies depending on the test. During your visit, ask your primary care doctor how and when you’ll receive your results. In many cases, you'll access your results and receive notifications of new results through My CS-Link. You can use the secure messaging feature to follow up with any questions or concerns.
Referrals
Many health insurance plans require a referral for specialized care as part of their coverage. Your primary care doctor partners with you during this process, and coordinates your treatment with the specialist.
Nonurgent referrals may take up to 14 days to complete, and you and your doctor will be notified when the referral has been processed. If it's been longer than 14 days since your referral was submitted, call our patient services team at 800-700-6424. If you have a My CS-Link account, you can track and view your referral.
Referral decisions are based only on medical necessity and the appropriateness of care and service. None of our doctors or staff members are encouraged or rewarded (financially or otherwise) for issuing denials. For more information about a denial, contact your primary care doctor's office or our Patient Services team at 800-700-6424.
Yes. The first step in the process is to contact your insurance provider. You will find your health plan’s phone number to appeal on the denial letter you receive in the mail. If for any reason you don’t have it, call our patient services team for assistance at 800-700-6424.
Toll-free numbers (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Group: 800-700-6424
- Cedars-Sinai Health Associates: 800-773-2742
Contact us in writing:
- Email: MNS_MemberServices@cshs.org
- Fax: 323-866-7966
Language Assistance
If you have difficulty understanding English, we offer language assistance and interpretation services at no cost to you. If you have hearing or speech loss and use telecommunications relay services (TRS) or a text telephone (TTY), call 711 to connect with a TRS operator.
After-Hours Requests
To report a Utilization Management issue outside normal business hours, providers can leave a voicemail at the number above. Please indicate the provider name and contact information. If the request applies to a specific patient, also indicate the patient name and member number if available. Messages will be returned the next business day.
Billing and Insurance
We accept most insurance types, including Medicare. Contact your doctor to make sure they accept your insurance. Bring your insurance card or other proof of insurance to every appointment, particularly if you change your insurance coverage.
Contact Patient Financial Services at 866-803-1777, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m-6 p.m.
Please call Patient Financial Services at 866-803-1777. We’ll make the necessary changes to your account and rebill the correct insurance plan.
Yes. Just fill out the appropriate information on your statement and mail it back to us, or call Patient Financial Services 866-803-1777 to pay by phone.
Account changes may take up to 14 days to be processed. Call Patient Financial Services at 866-803-1777 to follow up on any changes you've requested that haven’t been completed. If you're not satisfied with our follow-through, please ask to speak to a supervisor.
Call Patient Financial Services at 866-803-1777, and we'll review your information with your insurance carrier to ensure the correct adjustment was made.
Yes. You can visit our office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The address is 8701 Gracie Allen Drive, South Tower, Street Level, Room 1740.
Some insurance plans take longer than others to pay their patients' claims. After we receive payment from your insurance company, you'll receive a bill from us for any remaining balance. The billing statement will include details of insurance payments and other useful information.
For services rendered at Cedars-Sinai, you might receive more than one bill, but these are not duplicate bills. The hospital sends its own bill for the use of the facility, which includes equipment, technicians and supplies. Meanwhile, specially trained doctors, such as radiologists and anesthesiologists, might perform additional services at the request of your doctor. These specialists will bill you separately. If you have any questions, please call the number printed on the billing statements you receive.
Locations
With more than 30 locations, we're in your neighborhood and throughout Southern California. Find the location nearest you.
Make an Appointment
You can call us 7 days a week, 6 am - 9 pm PT, or schedule a time for us to call you back.