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  • Questions and answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to the questions the office hears most.

  • Appointments, referrals and records

How the Office Works

How long is an appointment?
Appointments with Tabitha are scheduled for 30 minutes, so you have enough time to talk through your health needs and concerns.
No. Lustig Health & Wellness Center is a privately owned, independent primary care office. It isn’t affiliated with any hospital system.
Yes. In Washington, nurse practitioners can practice independently and serve as your primary care provider. Tabitha Lustig is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and has been in practice since 2012.
Yes. LHWC accepts Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, please call the office to find out if yours is accepted.
Yes. Tabitha needs to see you before she can refer you, because a chart note from your visit goes with the referral.
Not directly. Ask the other hospital or clinic to send your records to the office, or sign a release of information form so the office can request them for you.
No. It’s a primary care office. The office doesn’t offer hormone specialty care, IV therapy, injectables, weight-loss shots or memberships.
No. Established patients who are sick are usually seen within the same week. For an injury that needs stitches, go to an urgent care or emergency room, and in an emergency, call 911.
No. The office sees adults 18 and older.
No. The office doesn’t take Apple Health or other state health insurance. See the full list of plans on the New Patients page.

Pay your bill online with a credit card or ACH. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can use its card to pay with money set aside for healthcare expenses. Use the button below to view your payment options and pay your bill.

Make a Payment
Yes. Patients can send the office a message through the Follow My Health patient portal. The Patient Portal link is at the top of every page.
Patient Portal
  • Wellness Visit

What Patients Ask Before Their Wellness Visit

What should I bring to my Wellness Visit?
Bring your medications or a list of them, the names of the other providers you see, and any questions. If you have records of past screenings, bring those too.
  • Conditions and follow-up visits

What Patients Ask About Chronic Condition Care

What counts as a chronic condition?
A chronic condition is a health problem that lasts a year or more and needs ongoing care, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, COPD or heart failure.
It depends on the condition and how well it’s controlled. Tabitha sets a follow-up schedule with you, and it changes as your health does.
This page lists only a few common chronic health conditions. It is not a complete list.
  • Diabetes Care

What Patients Ask About Diabetes Care

Can I get my annual diabetic foot exam at your office?
Yes, annual diabetic foot exams are available at Lustig Health & Wellness Center. Please contact our office to schedule your exam.
Yes, your provider at Lustig Health & Wellness Center can prescribe diabetes medications, including insulin, and order blood glucose testing supplies.
Yes, your provider at Lustig Health & Wellness Center can order lab tests, explain your results, and manage your ongoing diabetes care.
No, Lustig Health & Wellness Center does not order insulin pump supplies or diabetic shoes. Please contact your diabetes specialist for assistance with these items.
Bring your blood sugar readings or your meter, your medications or a list of them, and any questions you have.
  • Specialists, home readings and medication

What Patients Ask About Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Do I need a heart specialist for high blood pressure?

Many people manage high blood pressure and cholesterol with their primary care provider. If your numbers are hard to control or your heart needs a closer look, she can refer you to a cardiologist.

Home readings can help Tabitha see how your blood pressure runs between visits. If you check at home, write the numbers down and bring them to your visit.
Sometimes. Tabitha likes to work with patients on lifestyle changes before starting medications, when that’s appropriate. Changes to what you eat and how active you are can lower cholesterol for some people, and she talks with you about whether medication makes sense.
  • Specialists, check-ins and inhalers

What Patients Ask About COPD and Asthma

When would I see a lung specialist?

A lung specialist is called a pulmonologist. If your COPD or asthma is hard to control or needs specialist testing, Tabitha is able to refer you to one.

It depends on how well your breathing is controlled. Tabitha sets a follow-up schedule with you.
Bring your inhalers and other medications, and tell Tabitha how often you’ve needed your rescue inhaler lately.
  • Memory Concerns

What Families Ask About Memory Changes

When do I need to worry about memory or cognitive changes?
Cognitive slowing is part of normal aging. If you have concerns about your memory or your aging parent’s memory, please schedule an appointment for memory testing in the office.
  • Treatment, screening and referrals

What Patients Ask About Depression and Anxiety Care

Can a primary care provider treat depression and anxiety?
Yes. Many people get their depression and anxiety care from their primary care provider, including medication when it’s the right part of treatment.

When talk therapy would help, when your symptoms aren’t improving, or when your care needs a specialist, Tabitha refers you to a counselor or psychiatrist.

  • Lifestyle counseling

What Patients Ask About Weight Counseling

Can my primary care provider help me lose weight?
Yes. Lifestyle changes and nutrition counseling are part of your overall wellness and are offered in the clinic. We care for the whole person.
  • What's included and timing

What Patients Ask Before Surgery

What's included in a pre-op exam?
It usually covers your health history, your medications and a physical exam. Your surgeon’s paperwork tells Tabitha what the surgeon needs; ask the office about any tests it lists.
Your surgeon’s office decides. Ask them how close to your surgery date the exam needs to be, and schedule with that in mind.
Ask your surgeon and Tabitha before you stop anything. Some medications are stopped before surgery and some are not, and the instructions depend on the surgery.
  • First visits and video

What Patients Ask About Virtual Visits

Can my first visit be a virtual visit?
No. Your first visit must be in person to establish care. Virtual visits are available to established patients for concerns, medication refills and sick visits. Annual exams, physicals and surgery clearances must be in person.
Call the office and say so. You can book an in-person visit instead.
  • Prescriptions and lifestyle changes

What Patients Ask About Their Medications

Will Tabitha continue every medication I take now?
Not automatically. At your first visit, Tabitha reviews what you take and talks with you about each prescription. She prescribes for the conditions she treats in primary care.
Yes. Bring every medication you take to your visit, including vitamins and anything over the counter, or bring a complete list.
When it’s appropriate, yes. For some conditions, changes to what you eat and how you live are the first step, and medication comes later if it’s needed.
  • Refills, first visits and families

What New Patients Ask Before Their First Visit

I'm new to the area and my prescriptions are running low. What should I do?

Call your pharmacy about the refills remaining on your prescriptions. New patients are generally able to be seen in 2 to 4 weeks.

Your first visit is a 30-minute appointment with Tabitha. Bring your ID, your insurance card and your medications, and be ready to talk through your health history and what you’d like help with.
Yes, if they’re 18 or older. Many families see Tabitha, some across several generations.