We want to keep you informed on the latest information available regarding the COVID-19 booster vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a Pregnancy Health Advisory and their recommendations on the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. The booster shot is available for the those that have received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and has completed their initial series at least 6 months ago, with the following eligibility criteria: 65 years and older Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions Age 18+ who work in high-risk settings ..read more

Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is available to those 12 years of age and older, CPMC Van Ness Campus has made changes to their COVID-19 protocols to keep you and your baby safe during your delivery and postpartum care. These new protocols are updated as we gain understanding of the virus and its status in Bay Area communities. All patients are now entering CPMC near the Emergency Department entrance. Each patient is able to bring two labor partners with them to stay during the delivery, and one to stay overnight during the postpartum period. A second guest is allowed to visit you during vi ..read more

The California Department of Public Health this past week released updated guidelines that patients with certain health conditions make them eligible to receive the COVID vaccine as soon as March 15, 2021. Pregnancy is among those health conditions which increase the risk of COVID infection including the risk for illness and hospitalization and the risk for adverse outcomes such as preterm birth. The COVID-19 vaccines currently available represent a tremendous scientific achievement which have thus far exceeded expectations for effectiveness in preventing serious illness. Ultimately, decision ..read more

We have received a lot of questions about the COVID Vaccination rollout and want to take a moment to give you an update on the rollout plan, including our best scheduling estimates.   First, a little background.  Currently, vaccine allocations are set by the state Departments of Public health (DPH).  Local Health Departments then distribute the vaccines to clinics, hospitals and vaccination sites.  The rollout plan has had a slow and bumpy start, with fewer vaccinations delivered than expected, but we expect many details to be ironed out in the next couple of weeks as ..read more

Navigating Medicare for new members can be both overwhelming and challenging. What we have learned as a medical office that has accepted Medicare Insurance for more than 50 years is this: Medicare will cover Preventative Wellness Exams every 12 months OBGYN providers do not perform the components of a Preventative Wellness exam as it is outlined by Medicare. The yearly Preventative Wellness exam that OBGYNs perform is not considered preventative by Medicare and the cost for this visit may be the responsibility of the patient. Primary Care Providers, Internists, and Family Medicine Doctors do ..read more

Hello! We hope this email finds you all safe, healthy, and happy. As of June 1st, we resumed seeing all preventative well woman exams in office for patients 64 years of age and under. If you are currently an established patient of Golden Gate’s and are 65 years of age or older, please see our Medicare Blog for more information on how Golden Gate can work to best serve your medical needs collaboratively with your primary care physician, making for the most optimal care team. While it is unclear when our shelter-in-place will lift in its entirety, public health officials are encouraging keeping ..read more

Golden Gate Obstetrics & Gynecology is now offering telehealth services! As we continue to monitor the Coronavirus (Covid-19) disease closely, we want our patients to know that your health is our top priority.  As a result, we are offering virtual visits for many gynecological problems. We are offering same or next-day visits for any of the following concerns: Frequent or painful urination Urinary tract infections Vaginal discharge Vaginal itching STD evaluation (may require a subsequent lab visit) Breast pain Postpartum depression or anxiety Menopausal symptoms Heavy or irregular me ..read more

A Message from Golden Gate Obstetrics & Gynecology, Inc. As a practice, we want to keep you informed of how CPMC Van Ness Campus is making changes to its protocols to keep you and your baby safe during your delivery and postpartum care. These new protocols are an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and are changing as we gain more understanding of the virus. All patients are now entering CPMC near the Emergency Department entrance. Each patient is allowed to bring their partner with them and stay during the delivery and postpartum period. Upon entering the hospital, both you and your ..read more

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak may be causing you anxiety and even panic.  Here’s what you can do each day to take care of yourself and your mental health: Get your news from trusted sources, such as the CDC.  But limit your time on these and other news sites, because constantly checking the news can increase your anxiety and interfere with your ability to attend to other important parts of your life, such as your work and relationships. Notice when you are catastrophizing.  Our brains usually tell us that the risk of danger is higher that it actually is.  Try to notic ..read more

To ensure the safety of our patients during COVID-19, we are asking for your cooperation in limiting your exposure to the general public. Our office adheres to the recommendations outlined by the SF Department of Public Health For any non-urgent visits, it is suggested that you reschedule your visit to a later time. How to reduce the risk of getting sick and spreading disease: Wear a mask. Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers containing alcohol may be used where soap and water is not available. Cover cough and sneeze with arm, not hand. Avoid touching your f ..read more