How it works
Your first visit, made simple
Being referred to a kidney specialist can feel worrying. Here's exactly what to bring, what will happen, and answers to the questions patients ask us most.
Checklist
What to bring with you
Having these on hand helps your doctor get the fullest picture of your kidney health at the very first visit. Missing something? Don't worry — our staff can request records from your other physicians.
- 1 Valid Government Photo ID & Health Insurance Cards
- 2 Complete list of current prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and dosages
- 3 Primary Care Physician (PCP) referral documentation (if required by your plan)
- 4 Recent laboratory reports (CMP, BMP, eGFR, Creatinine, Urinalysis) & renal ultrasound reports
Good questions
Questions patients ask us
If your question isn’t answered here, call our office — a real person will help you.
Do I need a referral to be seen?
Many insurance plans require a referral from your primary care physician before seeing a specialist. If your doctor referred you, we've likely already received the paperwork by fax. If you're unsure, call our office at (559) 661-1965 and our staff will check your plan's requirements with you.
Does anyone in the office speak Spanish?
Yes. Our entire staff speaks Spanish, so you and your family will always have someone to explain things in Spanish — when you call, when you arrive, during your appointment, and afterward. The physicians see patients in English, and a staff member is always there to translate and make sure you understand your care plan, your medications, and your results. The doctors also speak Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card(s), a complete list of your current medications with dosages (including over-the-counter drugs and supplements), any referral paperwork from your doctor, and copies of recent lab results or kidney imaging if you have them. Don't worry if you're missing something — our staff can request records from your other doctors.
What happens at a first kidney consultation?
Your nephrologist will review your medical history, medications, blood pressure, and lab work (such as creatinine and eGFR, which measure kidney function). Together you'll discuss what the results mean in plain language and agree on a care plan. First visits are more thorough than routine follow-ups, so allow extra time.
I've been told I may need dialysis. Can you help?
Yes. Our physicians manage every stage of dialysis care — explaining your options (hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis), coordinating vascular access, and providing ongoing physician oversight. Dr. Masood also serves as Medical Director at the Madera Kidney Center, an outpatient dialysis facility.
Can your doctors see me if I'm admitted to the hospital?
Our nephrologists provide inpatient consultations at Saint Agnes Medical Center, Community Regional Medical Center, and Clovis Community Medical Center. If you're hospitalized, your hospital care team can request a nephrology consult with our physicians.
How do I know if you accept my insurance?
We participate in health plans from all the major carriers, including Medicare, Medi-Cal, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Shield of California. You can search your plan on this page, but coverage details change — the surest way is to call our office at (559) 661-1965 and we'll verify your benefits.
What if I need to reach you in the evening or on a weekend?
Call the same number — (559) 661-1965 — and a real person will answer and take your message, even when the office is closed. Our staff will call you back on the next business day. Please don't wait on a callback if this is a medical emergency: call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Insurance & coverage
Do you take my insurance?
Probably! Kidney Specialist Inc. providers participate in health plans from all the major carriers. Search your plan below — and since coverage details change, the surest answer is a quick call to (559) 661-1965.
If your plan isn't listed, call anyway. We'd rather have the conversation than have you go without care.
Government & State Payers
- Medicare Part B (Traditional)
- Medi-Cal (Fee-For-Service)
- Fresno-Madera CalViva Health (Medi-Cal Managed Care)
- Blue Cross Medi-Cal
- Health Net Medi-Cal
Commercial PPO & HMO Plans
- Cigna National PPO / EPO
- Cigna Open Access Plus (OAP)
- Cigna LocalPlus
- Aetna Choice POS II / PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice
- UnitedHealthcare Choice / Choice Plus PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Options PPO
- Blue Shield of California PPO / EPO
- Blue Cross California PPO / Select
- UMR Third Party Administrator
We didn't find that plan in the list
That doesn't necessarily mean it isn't covered — plan networks change often. Call our office and we'll verify your benefits together.
Call (559) 661-1965