We closed our offices to patients initially in mid-March while NY was on pause for all but essential services and were seeing patients exclusively with telemedicine, which we continue to do.
We are now open and seeing patients with a hybrid system of telemedicine with testing and shots for those who need it. From all we have learned about the risks of getting the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), minimizing face to face time with other people you do not live with is the key and that is how we devised our strategy. Other medical offices may use different systems and there is no clear right answer, but we designed ours to minimize time in the office and maximize the safety of our patients and our staff.
Allergy shot and biologic injection patients will be given a specific appointment time. If the patient is a child or needs assistance, only one adult may accompany them and must also wear a mask. All will be checked for fever and turned away if temperature is elevated. The nurse or doctor administering the shot will be wearing a gown, gloves, and mask and changing gloves with every patient. The injection will be given and we will then ask you to exit promptly and return to your car to wait for 30 minutes. You may drive off if all is well. Any reaction involving cough, chest tightness, hives, flushing, abdominal pain or lightheadedness must return to the office for evaluation and treatment. IF you prefer, you may wait in an exam room. The waiting room will not be used. Follow up appointments and payment will be handled by phone and online. We request you use a credit card for payments.
IF you need allergy tests, you MUST do a telemedicine visit first. IF the doctor determines you need allergy testing, you will come to the office for the test at a specific time. You will be brought back to an exam room upon arrival. The technician or nurse will apply the test and leave the room. The doctor will return to read the test. IF there needs to be an extensive discussion about the results, it will be done by phone. Rooms are cleaned thoroughly after each use.
Spirometry and lung function tests. We have decided that these cannot safely be performed at this time. Any patient that potentially has coronavirus that blows into the machine can theoretically contaminate the equipment. We recommend that you obtain a home peak expiratory flow meter to help measure lung capacity (examples are Omron, Mini-Wright, Assess, Mir SmartOne). A pulse oximeter can be useful as well.
Food challenges– Cannot be done safely at this time in our opinion because of the length of time involved in the office and risk of adverse reaction.
Food oral immunotherapy/desensitization– will be available again on a case by case basis. Please note that this is NOT covered by insurance. Please contact us if you are interested in this program.
Your safety is our main concern. If you have questions or suggestions, please ask.
Wishing you and your families well
– Drs. Ahmad, Kreiner, Strauss and the Staff of Strauss Allergy and Asthma Division of Allied Physicians Group
Please arrive early so that we can complete your initial paperwork. Also, please bring the following:
Other Practice Forms:
Print the above forms if needed. Health History is the only form needed for the first visit.
Strauss Allergy and Asthma is a provider for Medicare and most major insurance plans, and provides insurance billing. You are responsible for knowing the terms of your policy. You are responsible for providing referrals if needed and co-pays at the time of service and for paying any coinsurance, deductibles or other charges not covered by your insurance in a timely manner. If you have questions regarding billing or which insurance plans we accept, please contact us. Questions regarding insurance coverage and benefits should be directed to your employer or insurance company.
Our Notice of Privacy Practices describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. A copy of the privacy practices is available on request.
A copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices will soon be posted on this website.