Question 1

Do I need a referral?

Accepted Answer

No. You can schedule directly with me through the patient portal on my website. If your pediatrician or obstetrician has shared concerns or records, I welcome them, and I work closely with referring providers. My consultation note is typically sent the same day or the next day.

Question 2

How soon can I or my child be seen?

Accepted Answer

Appointments are typically available within one day to one week, with priority given to time-sensitive concerns. You can register and schedule directly through the patient portal.

Question 3

What ages do you see?

Accepted Answer

Newborns through young adults. I also evaluate pregnant patients when there is a question about the baby's heart.

Question 4

Do you see patients from outside North County San Diego?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Families travel from across San Diego County and beyond. Telemedicine is available for anyone physically located in California at the time of their visit.

Question 5

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. As a direct-care practice, I do not bill insurance directly; payment is due at the time of service. However, I provide itemized receipts (superbills) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. To make this process as simple and hassle-free as possible, I am registered with Reimbursify which allows you to submit and track your out-of-network claims directly from your phone.

Question 6

Will my insurance reimburse me?

Accepted Answer

Some PPO plans reimburse a portion of out-of-network specialist visits. My practice is registered with Reimbursify, an app many families use to file out-of-network claims, in order to make the process easier. The amount depends on your specific plan's out-of-network benefits and deductible, and reimbursement is determined solely by your insurer.

Question 7

Can I use my HSA or FSA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, including HSA and FSA debit cards. Check with your account administrator to confirm your visit qualifies under your plan.

Question 8

Can I use my insurance for labs, imaging, or referrals?

Accepted Answer

My practice does not accept insurance, but that does not mean the labs, imaging centers, or specialists I refer you to are also out-of-network. Many accept insurance, and you may be able to use your plan to cover those services. It is your responsibility to verify coverage directly with the provider and your plan before your appointment.

Question 9

Are there any surprise fees?

Accepted Answer

No. Every service I perform in my office is published on the website, and payment is due at the time of service. When I order testing for interpretation, such as an ambulatory heart rhythm monitor, I bill for my interpretation, and the monitoring company sends a separate bill to your home for the device and service. Testing performed by an outside provider, such as an exercise stress test, cardiac MRI, or cardiac CT, is billed to you separately by that provider.

Question 10

What records should I send?

Accepted Answer

All notes, surgical and imaging reports, with the most recent of each being essential. That usually means echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), ECG (heart rhythm test) tracings, cardiac CT or MRI reports, your pediatrician's notes, any cardiologist's notes, geneticist's notes, notes from other specialists, and operative reports from any surgery. For pregnancy, send your anatomy scan or most recent ultrasound reports, any fetal echocardiogram, your obstetrician's and maternal-fetal medicine and any specialist's notes.

Question 11

When do I need to send them?

Accepted Answer

At least 2 business days before your visit - this helps me give your or your child's visit my full attention and prepare a thoughtful assessment. That said, I often review faster than that. For urgent appointments, I will review what I can with the time available, and we can proceed with either a complete or preliminary review depending on your timeline.

Question 12

How do I send echocardiogram images?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way to share outside imaging is through electronic secure upload directly to my account. I can provide your imaging facility with an upload link - just ask them to contact my office for the details, or let me know if you'd like to give it to them yourself. If you want me to review outside echocardiogram images in depth for a detailed second opinion, there is an additional fee per study for image review. Reviewing written reports is included in your visit cost.

Question 13

What should I bring?

Accepted Answer

For an echocardiogram, bring a comfort item if it helps your child stay calm. For babies, bring bottles, diapers, and anything else that helps.

Question 14

What if my child gets sick and we need to cancel?

Accepted Answer

If the patient is sick - whether you're the pregnant mother being seen for a fetal echocardiogram or your child is sick, please stay home and rest. As long as you notify me by calling and leaving a message before your appointment time and reschedule online when you're able, your $150 booking deposit will be transferred to your rescheduled visit at no additional charge – even with less than 24 hours' notice.

A pattern of last-minute rescheduled visits means appointment slots go unused that another family needed, so in that case the deposit is retained and may result in a booking hold to allow your schedule to stabilize.

Question 15

Why do you charge a non-refundable $150 scheduling deposit if I can reschedule and keep the credit?

Accepted Answer

The deposit covers the administrative cost of booking your appointment slot and initial setup. "Non-refundable" means you will not receive cash back, but if you reschedule with 24 hours' notice or if the patient is sick, your deposit stays in your account as a credit toward your new visit. You lose the deposit only if you cancel, reschedule without 24 hours' notice, or miss your appointment. If you miss an appointment without notice, booking a new appointment requires a new $150 deposit. If there is a pattern of repeated sick cancellations, I may pause booking so we can discuss scheduling directly.

Question 16

Will I see Dr. Channing herself, or a technician?

Accepted Answer

You will see me. I perform the echocardiogram myself and interpret the study during your visit. I perform the complete evaluation from start to finish.

Question 17

When do I get results?

Accepted Answer

I explain the findings during your visit, using drawings. Your written report is available in the patient portal once complete, and is sent to your referring physicians. If additional testing is needed, those results will be available after the visit.

Question 18

Can another family member join the visit?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in person or securely by video or phone.

Question 19

What if you do not know the answer right away?

Accepted Answer

Some cardiac conditions become clear with time and repeat imaging. When that is the case, I will tell you plainly what I know, what I am still watching, and what our monitoring plan is, so you always understand where things stand, even while we wait for the full picture.

Question 20

What does direct access to my cardiologist actually mean?

Accepted Answer

You can message me through the patient portal or by text from your cell phone, and I answer myself. I generally reply as soon as I am able to between seeing patients. For urgent non-emergency concerns, please call my office and leave a detailed message. I will prioritize your call and respond as soon as I can. If your child needs urgent care, please go immediately and don't wait for me to call back.

Question 21

Will you communicate with my pediatrician or obstetrician?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A summary of findings and recommendations goes to your child's pediatrician and any other treating physician you designate, typically the same day or the next day. I am also glad to speak with them by phone.

Question 22

Can I request a fetal echocardiogram (ultrasound of the baby's heart) without a referral?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many parents come without a referral. That said, a fetal echo performed without clinical indication - such as a family history, maternal condition, or suspected heart problem - may identify normal variants that look concerning and lead to unnecessary follow-up testing or worry. If you have a specific concern, I'm happy to discuss whether an echo is indicated or whether monitoring with your OB is the right approach.

Question 23

Is a fetal echocardiogram safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. It uses ultrasound, the same technology as your other pregnancy scans. There is no radiation, and no preparation is required.

Question 24

When should a fetal echocardiogram be performed?

Accepted Answer

Typically between 18 and 22 weeks' gestation. It can be done earlier when there is a specific concern, and later in pregnancy when a finding needs to be followed.

Question 25

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

2305 S Melrose Dr Ste 104, Vista, CA 92081. There is ample parking in the lot. See my Contact page for hours.

Question 26

What are your hours?

Accepted Answer

Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Saturday - Sunday: Closed.

Question 27

Is this practice for medical emergencies?

Accepted Answer

No. If your child is unstable or having life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. I am glad to see patients once they are stable and discharged, often the same day or the next day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Cost and Insurance

Before Your Visit

At the Visit

After Your Visit

Clinical - Fetal

Contact & Hours

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