A checklist
Choosing a Family Doctor in Sacramento
To choose a family doctor in Sacramento, check five things: board certification, a current California medical license, whether the office takes your insurance, how soon you can be seen, and how easy the office is to reach. Apollo Physicians lists its own answer to each below, with links to check them yourself.
Quick facts
- Practice
- Apollo Physicians, a family medicine practice
- Phone
- 916-236-5800
- Hours
- Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Sat 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Price
- Initial self-pay visits start at $65.
- Appointments
- Same-day and next-day appointments
- Telemedicine
- Telemedicine visits for patients in California.
- New patients
- Accepted
What to check, and how
| What to check | How to check it | Apollo Physicians |
|---|---|---|
| Board certification | Search the doctor on ABMS Verify Certification | Dr. Paramjit Panesar, MD, board certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine |
| California license | Search the Medical Board of California (DCA license search) | License A 114684 |
| Insurance | Call the office with your plan name, and check your plan directory | Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Health Net, UnitedHealthcare, Sutter Health, Hill Physicians, Nivano Physicians, Medicare, and Medi-Cal; self-pay visits from $65 |
| New patients | Ask the office directly | Accepting new patients |
| How soon you can be seen | Ask for the next opening when you call | Same-day and next-day appointments |
| Location | Check the drive time from home or work | 8191 Timberlake Way, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95823; about 12 minutes from Elk Grove |
Family physician, primary care physician or internist?
A primary care physician is the doctor you see first for checkups and everyday health problems. Family physicians, internists and pediatricians are all primary care physicians.
A family physician is trained to care for patients of all ages, so one doctor can see several people in a household. An internist cares for adults, and a pediatrician for children.
Reading patient reviews
Reviews on Google and other sites tell you how other patients found the front desk, the wait and the visit. Read several recent ones rather than relying on the star rating alone, and remember that a review cannot tell you about medical training. Check the license and certification for that.
Questions to ask when you call
- Are you accepting new patients with my plan?
- When is the next opening for a new patient?
- What are your office hours, and do you offer telemedicine?
- What does a first visit cost if I pay for myself?
- Can the doctor complete the forms I need, such as a school, sports or work form?
Book with Apollo Physicians
If Apollo Physicians fits your checklist, call 916-236-5800 to book with Dr. Paramjit Panesar, MD. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a family doctor in Sacramento?
Check five things before you book: board certification, a current California license, whether the office takes your insurance, how soon you can be seen, and the drive time. Apollo Physicians in South Sacramento lists each of these for Dr. Paramjit Panesar, MD, with links to verify them. Call 916-236-5800 with questions.
How can I check if a Sacramento doctor is board certified?
Search the doctor's name on ABMS Verify Certification, and check the California license on the Medical Board of California license search. For Apollo Physicians, Dr. Paramjit Panesar, MD, is board certified in family medicine and holds California license A 114684. Both searches are free and online.
What is the difference between a family physician and a primary care physician?
A primary care physician is the doctor you see first. Family physicians are one type of primary care physician, trained to care for patients of all ages. Dr. Paramjit Panesar, MD, at Apollo Physicians in South Sacramento is a board-certified family physician who can be your primary care doctor.
How do I find a doctor accepting new patients in Sacramento?
Ask the office whether it is accepting new patients with your plan, then ask for the next opening. Apollo Physicians in South Sacramento is accepting new patients with Dr. Paramjit Panesar, MD, offers same-day and next-day appointments, and starts self-pay visits at $65. Call 916-236-5800.
Should I trust star ratings when choosing a doctor?
Star ratings show how patients felt about the visit, the wait and the staff, so read several recent reviews rather than the average alone. They cannot show training, so also check the license and board certification. Apollo Physicians links to both checks for Dr. Paramjit Panesar, MD.