Susan Algert, PhD, RD
Susan Algert: The Diet Doc
779 Neptune Avenue
Encinitas, CA 92024
Telephone: 877-211-3693
Email: susan@susanalgert.com
Website: www.susanalgert.com
1. What are the primary medical specialties in which you were originally trained (e.g., pediatrics, family medicine)?
Medical Nutrition/dietetics for both pediatric and adult
2. Approximately how many individuals with autism have you treated, and what is the age range?
20 - 30 patients with gluten-free casein free diet for gluten sensitivity and food allergies. More than 100 patients with gluten free diet only for gluten sensitivity and food allergies. A subset of about 10-12 of these patients have had autism.
3. Do you usually have a waiting list?
Just starting my private practice so I do not have a waiting list. I am providing online and phone consultations and classes. I am also currently affiliated with the Warren Celiac Center in the Dept. of Medicine at the University of California, SD
4. On the average, how long do you spend face-to-face with a new patient for an initial consultation?
Telephone consultation will be 1 hour with follow-up for 30 minutes to 1 hour based on analysis of a three day food record. Classes in basics of gluten free, casein free diet will be 2 hours.
5. After the first consultation, what is the average length of an appointment?
1 hour or 30 minutes depending on need
6. Are your patients advised to use special diets such as GF/CF, SCD, low-oxalate, etc.?
Yes, GF and CF; occasional sensitivity to other foods
7. Can you collaborate with other specialists we will be dealing with (e.g., gastroenterologists)?
Yes, I currently work with both adult and pediatric gastroenterologists at UCSD in the School of Med. so I would be happy to collaborate with other health care providers
8. Are you willing to collaborate on treatment and testing with a child’s pediatrician if he/she is receptive?
Yes, I would be happy to provide a nutrition consultation. There are usually two components: 1. instruction on how to remove gluten and casein from the diet; and 2. how to balance dietary intake for all essential nutrients and supplements.
9. Do you or anyone in your office speak languages other than English?
I speak some Spanish.
10. Are you willing to offer phone consultations for distant patients?
Yes, I am set up for phone consultations and have skype software on my computer so I could potentially conduct a session via computer.
11. Do you provide any form of after-hours support?
Not currently
12. Do you sell proprietary nutritional supplements or have a sales agreement with supplement suppliers? Do you sell supplements at list price or less?
No, I don`t sell any supplements
13. Do you take insurance? If not, do you provide organized, coded insurance forms?
I do not take insurance, but do provide an invoice with the medical codes needed to submit to an insurance company to request reimbursement for services.
14. Do you bill for laboratory tests done by commercial laboratories? How do you break down the fees?
No, I do not.
15. Is there a reason you might not bill for an office visit?
No.
If there is a discrepency between the responses listed above and the practitioner's actual practice, please write to us at: ARI, 4182 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116; or fax: (619) 563-6840