Frequently Asked Questions

We confirm appointments by phone so we can verify your insurance and coordinate any required authorizations before your visit. Most PPO plans, Medicare, and many direct plans don't require prior authorization, so this step is usually quick. For HMO and IPA plans, our team handles the authorization process on your behalf — you'll always know exactly what's covered before you come in.

A new patient consultation typically lasts 45–60 minutes. If in-office testing (such as spirometry or a pulmonary function test) is scheduled on the same day, plan for an additional 30–45 minutes. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete any remaining paperwork.

Please call us at (844) 428-5864 or text us at (818) 366-2997 as soon as possible. We ask for at least 24 hours' notice so we can offer your slot to another patient who may be waiting.

We accept Medicare (no auth required), Medi-Cal, most major PPO plans, and have contracts with more than 40 HMO and IPA medical groups in the greater Los Angeles area. View our full accepted insurance list, or call us at (844) 428-5864 to verify your specific plan.

Many specialist visits and pulmonary procedures do require prior authorization. Our team handles this process on your behalf before confirming your appointment. This is one of the main reasons we call to confirm rather than allowing instant online scheduling.

Please call our office to discuss options. We are happy to speak with you about available arrangements.

This is one of our most common questions. Whether you hold your inhalers depends on what your doctor wants to measure and which medication you take. General guidelines:

• Short-acting bronchodilators (albuterol / levalbuterol / ProAir / Xopenex): hold 4–6 hours before the test.
• Short-acting anticholinergics (ipratropium / Atrovent): hold 4–6 hours before.
• Long-acting bronchodilators (salmeterol, formoterol — e.g., Advair, Symbicort): hold 12 hours before.
• Ultra-long-acting bronchodilators (tiotropium / Spiriva, umeclidinium, olodaterol): hold 24 hours before.
• Inhaled corticosteroids alone (fluticasone, budesonide): generally do not need to be held.

Important: Always follow the specific instructions given by your physician. In some cases, your doctor may want a test performed while you are on your usual medications. If you're unsure, call us before your appointment.

• Do not smoke for at least 4–6 hours before the test.
• Avoid heavy exercise for at least 30 minutes beforehand.
• Avoid eating a large meal immediately before — a light meal is fine.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid caffeine if possible, as it can act as a mild bronchodilator.

A pulmonary function test is non-invasive and generally not painful. You will breathe into a mouthpiece connected to a machine, following instructions from a technician. You'll be asked to breathe in and out as deeply and forcefully as you can. The test typically takes 30–45 minutes. Some patients feel slightly lightheaded or fatigued immediately afterward, which resolves quickly.

Spirometry is a basic breathing test that measures how much air you can breathe in and out and how fast you can exhale. It is commonly used to diagnose and monitor asthma and COPD. A full PFT is more comprehensive — it also measures lung volumes (how much air your lungs can hold) and diffusion capacity (how well oxygen crosses from your lungs into your bloodstream). Your physician will order whichever tests are appropriate for your situation.

Common signs that a sleep study may be appropriate include loud snoring, observed pauses in breathing during sleep, waking up gasping or choking, excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep time, and morning headaches. Your physician will evaluate your symptoms and determine if a home sleep test or in-lab sleep study is indicated. Learn more about sleep apnea.

A home sleep test (HST) is performed in your own bed using a portable monitoring device. It measures your breathing, oxygen levels, and heart rate overnight. It is convenient and is appropriate for most patients who are suspected of having moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea without significant other health conditions. Important: home sleep tests performed at PulmoCrit require a smartphone — you will need to download an app before your device pickup appointment, as the app communicates with the device to ensure your data is properly captured. An in-lab polysomnogram (PSG) is more comprehensive and is conducted at a sleep center with a technician present. It measures brain activity, eye movements, muscle activity, and breathing, among other parameters. Your physician will recommend the most appropriate test based on your clinical history.

Before your study:

• Shower, wash, and dry your hair before arrival. Avoid oils, gels, or makeup — these interfere with electrode adhesion.
• Do not nap on the day of your study.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol after 12:00 PM on the day of the study.
• Eat dinner before arriving — food is not available at the sleep center.
• Take your regular medications unless your physician has instructed otherwise.

What to bring:

• Comfortable two-piece sleepwear
• Pillow (optional) and toiletries
• Water (additional water is available at the center)
• A book, phone, or something to do during check-in and prep time
• Your CPAP or BiPAP mask if you currently use one

Arrival & important reminders:

• Arrive between 8:00–9:00 PM at our Encino Sleep Center (16260 Ventura Blvd, Suite 600). The building is closed to the public — call (818) 804-5630 on arrival and a technician will escort you up.
• You will be woken up around 5:00 AM and are free to drive yourself home or go to work.
• A $250 cancellation fee applies if canceled within 48 hours.
• Patients requiring supervision (dementia, cognitive impairment, or disability) must bring a responsible adult (18+) who will stay for the duration of the study.

Questions? Call us at (844) 428-5864.

We treat a full range of pulmonary and sleep conditions, including COPD, asthma, sleep apnea, pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary embolism, chronic cough, unexplained shortness of breath, pulmonary nodules, and more. View our full conditions page.

We have three locations:

Northridge: 17075 Devonshire St., Suite 205, Northridge, CA 91325
Encino: 16260 Ventura Blvd., Suite 600, Encino, CA 91436
Thousand Oaks: 555 Marin St., Suite 110, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

All offices are open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. See our Contact page for maps and directions.

Yes. You can text us at (818) 366-2997 or submit an appointment request online and we'll follow up by phone. For urgent matters, please call directly at (844) 428-5864.

Please visit our Referring Physicians page for full information, including our fax number, what to include in a referral, and our full list of clinical capabilities. You can also call us directly at (844) 428-5864.