For Patients

In Preparation

In order to become a new patient of the UCSF Fresno Alzheimer & Memory Center please consider the following:

• If you have an HMO, we will need a prior authorization from your primary care doctor’s office before a patient is accepted. Please make sure they include a total of 6 visits on the authorization form. Please note the AMC is not contracted with all HMO carriers.
• If you are being referred by a physician, please have the physician’s office send us a referral form and medical records or refer to us in the EPIC system
• Office visits will not be scheduled until the patient packet is completed and returned to our Center.  The patient packet needs to be completed by a designated primary caregiver/collateral informant. This packet, when complete, will provide a great deal of information about the patient to the AMC team.

Note: Because memory loss and other related symptoms are often complex, input from a patient’s spouse, family, caregiver or collateral informant is vital to the evaluation process.

CLICK HERE FOR PATIENT FORM PACKAGE (English)

Patient forms can be completed either via 1) our secure online portal (portal link sent by our staff to patient/family email upon verbal authorization) 2) printed and faxed back to (559) 227-4167 or 3) mailed directly to UCSF Fresno Alzheimer & Memory Center, 550 E Shaw Ave., Ste 105, Fresno, CA 93710. If none of these options are feasible, please leave a message with us at (559) 227-4810. We will return your call shortly to facilitate a different method of packet delivery. ​

Some patients, for their convenience, ask whether they may submit the patient packet by email. While this is not as secure as other methods of submitting private medical information, we can accommodate these requests on a case-by-case basis. Please let us know if you wish to submit your information this way​.

APRIETA AQUI PARAS LAS FORMAS DEL PACIENTE (Español)

Ojo: No todas las formas en este paquete se encuentran en español, si usted necesita ayuda llenando las formas que se encuentran en inglés, por favor llame a nuestro centro y pregunte por Andrés, él les podrá ayudar a resolver cualquier pregunta.

Por favor imprima el paquete, llene las formas y mándelas por correo a nuestra oficina, 550 E Shaw Ave.,  Ste 105, Fresno, CA 93710. Una vez que las recibimos completas le podremos dar una cita. Muchas gracias.

Patient referrals will be reviewed by clinical staff to determine suitability for services provided at our Center.

The Evaluation Process:

Patient and Family Interview
Family members and/or friends will meet with a clinician to review and clarify the history and current needs for care. Obtaining a thorough patient history is critical for establishing a differential diagnosis. This is also an opportunity for the family to learn more about Alzheimer and other dementias.

Medical Examinations
Separate physical and neurological examinations may be performed to rule out certain diseases, detect contributing factors, and determine the most likely type of dementia.

Note: There may be additional labs and imaging required by our physicians and depending on your specific insurance, there may be additional out of pocket expenses for these services. We may ask you or your primary care doctor’s office to contact your insurance for help with the authorization process.

Neuropsychological Testing
Intellectual abilities, including memory, language, calculation, and judgment, are measured. The pattern of cognitive deficits is critical in determining diagnosis. We evaluate areas of strength as well as weakness – important considerations in terms of treatment and lifestyle planning.

Multi-disciplinary Team Conference
Our team reviews its findings, a diagnosis, treatment plan, and referral recommendations are determined.

Family Conference
The diagnosis and individualized recommendations are explained to the patient and family. Questions are encouraged, and a medical report is sent to the patient’s primary care doctor.

Re-evaluation
Patient re-evaluation is provided annually, with new resource referrals provided as appropriate. Of course, our staff is available for consultation as needed.

Is a referral needed?
Patients may self-refer or be referred by a family, an agency, or a physician

We do not take the place of a patient’s personal physician. Patients continue to see their personal physicians for prescriptions and basic health care.

Notice of Private Practices

Benefits of early diagnosis:

• • • • Possibility of slowing down the progression of symptoms of the disease
      • Understanding of behavioral changes
      • Chance of medical or surgical intervention if Alzheimer disease is ruled out
      • Early opportunity to chart patient’s memory status
      • Access to counseling and social services
      • Time to plan for the future
      • Time to educate yourself so you know more about what to expect
      • Chance to find support programs for caregivers