Before you begin

The practice is for adults and adolescents 12 and older seeking obesity treatment, lifestyle medicine consultations, primary care, chronic disease management, an independent second opinion, help with a complex medical situation, or continuing care. Weight loss does not have to be your goal: you can consult me specifically about nutrition, activity, sleep, stress, or habits that affect your health. You must be physically in California or Kentucky when receiving care, and your needs must be suitable for remote assessment.

A parent or legally authorized representative arranges routine care using their own contact details. Before care begins, I provide the required forms, verify identity and authority, and obtain the necessary consent. The adolescent takes part in the visit. Privacy, access to records and any right to consent independently are handled individually according to the type of care and the law of the state where the patient is located.

Yes. The practice also covers prevention and lifestyle medicine. We can discuss nutrition, activity, sleep, stress, and health risks in the context of your history and goals. Weight loss does not have to be the purpose of your consultation, and testing is recommended for a clinical reason.

You must be physically located in California or Kentucky when receiving care, including clinical follow-up. Your current location is confirmed as part of care. A home address in one of those states does not make a visit eligible when you are traveling elsewhere.

Yes. The U.S. practice is entirely virtual. Your initial consultation takes place by secure video connection. Follow-up consultations may take place by video or by phone. For a video visit, the doctor will send you a link and instructions for joining before your appointment. For a phone follow-up, the doctor will call the number you provide at the scheduled time. I can evaluate and treat many medical concerns by video when an adequate assessment is possible, including at a first visit. You may still need local laboratory testing, imaging, an examination, a procedure, or specialist care. I explain when local assessment is necessary and how it fits into your plan.

You work directly with Alexander Oparin, MD, for your consultation and follow-up. I review your case, prepare your written plan, and follow your treatment while you are enrolled. When another clinician or local medical service is needed, we discuss that as part of the plan.

Yes. Consultations can be conducted in English or Russian. Both versions of this website describe the same U.S. telehealth practice.

I assess suitable everyday medical concerns, review test results and medications, help manage chronic conditions, and discuss prevention and follow-up. The assessment considers your health as a whole. Some concerns can be managed remotely; others require an examination, testing, or a specialist. I explain those limits rather than treating every symptom as suitable for video.

My income does not depend on the number of tests, procedures, or specialist referrals I recommend. You pay for my time and medical expertise. Recommendations should have a clear clinical purpose, and I explain their expected benefits, risks, and alternatives.

Obesity medicine is a core direction of my practice. I review your weight history, eating patterns, related conditions, medications, previous treatment, and goals. We develop a plan that can combine nutrition, activity, support with habits, and medication when appropriate for your age and clinical situation. Follow-up addresses response, side effects, maintaining weight loss, and related metabolic health rather than a target weight alone.

Yes. I prescribe FDA-approved brand-name GLP-1 medications when medically appropriate. We discuss expected benefits, risks, alternatives, and affordability. A compounded formulation may be considered for an individual medical need that an FDA-approved medication cannot meet, when permitted by law. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. If a brand-name option is unaffordable, we will review the available alternatives and choose an appropriate plan together. Suitability depends on the indication, your health history, risks, other treatment, and the information available. Booking a consultation does not guarantee a prescription for a particular medication.

No. We discuss the expected benefit, potential harms, alternatives, and your preferences. Medication may be appropriate for some patients; others may choose a different approach or need further assessment first.

Yes. Reviewing effectiveness and tolerability is part of medical follow-up. Depending on the situation, we may adjust treatment, investigate a symptom, or arrange a local assessment. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent local care.

Absolutely. Cardiovascular and metabolic health, including cholesterol disorders, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes, are a major clinical focus of my practice. I review your results and risk factors, discuss treatment options, and provide continuing care for suitable chronic conditions. When specialist input is needed, we coordinate that with a cardiologist or another appropriate specialist.

Yes. You can consult me about nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, social connection, and habits such as smoking or alcohol use, whether or not you want to lose weight. Recommendations account for your medical history, preferences, work, budget, and family circumstances. We choose realistic goals and review what helps or makes change difficult. Lifestyle medicine can be a consultation in its own right or part of broader medical care, and can be combined with medication when needed. It is not psychotherapy.

No. This is a medical practice, not a psychotherapy service. We may discuss how stress and everyday habits affect sleep, eating, or treatment. If you need psychotherapy or specialist mental health care, I will recommend an appropriate service.

Yes, when the question falls within my clinical scope and can be meaningfully reviewed through telehealth. This can include uncertain diagnoses, conflicting recommendations, a complicated medication regimen, or several interacting conditions. I also assess possible duplication and medication interactions. I review the history, results, specialist reports, and relevant research, then provide a written assessment and next steps. The assessment may support the existing plan, identify unanswered questions, or recommend another specialist or an in-person examination.

I search and critically review medical studies and clinical guidance relevant to your situation, then assess how they apply to your history, results, and treatment. Your written assessment explains the priorities, the reasoning behind proposed tests or treatment, reasonable alternatives, and the next steps. During ongoing care, I continue this review and update the plan as new clinical information or relevant evidence becomes available.

I explain when an in-person examination, a procedure, specialist care, or another level of care is needed. We discuss which parts of your follow-up I can continue and, with your permission, coordinate the care I provide with other clinicians.

Prepare relevant medical records, test results, specialist reports, a list of medications and supplements with doses, information about allergies, and your main questions. You receive instructions for securely sharing clinical information before the visit. For a complex case, organize the records by date and identify the decisions you want to discuss. Do not send medical records through ordinary website forms or social media.

Usually not. Bring the results and medical records you already have. I review them with your history and questions, then explain whether further testing would help and which tests are appropriate. There is usually no need to order a broad panel just to prepare for the consultation.

When testing can answer a useful clinical question, I explain its purpose and how to complete it locally. I have contracts with laboratories that offer self-pay patients discounts of up to 80%; the available price and discount depend on the test and laboratory. The practice does not draw blood or perform imaging. Laboratory tests and imaging are charged separately; check the price and any insurance coverage with the laboratory or provider.

When a medication is indicated and prescribing requirements are met, I send the prescription electronically to the pharmacy of your choice. Availability, pharmacy pricing, insurance coverage, and prior authorization decisions are separate from the clinical decision to recommend treatment.

A support person may join with your permission when appropriate. Let the practice know in advance, and choose a private setting for the consultation. Your consent and confidentiality remain central.

Your standard $200 first month includes a consultation of up to 60 minutes with me, review of the history and records relevant to the questions we agree to address, discussion of treatment options, and a written assessment and plan. It also includes clinically planned follow-up consultations, review of relevant results, treatment adjustments, plan updates, and replies to clinical messages, usually within a few hours during office hours. The month begins when payment is made. If substantial initial analysis is needed, we agree on the $500 Comprehensive Medical Review before payment and before the detailed review begins. Several diagnoses do not automatically require that option; a focused second opinion can fit within standard care. A particular prescription or definitive diagnosis is not guaranteed, and some questions require a local examination.

Yes. Your initial consultation includes a written assessment and care plan, bringing together the key findings, priorities, recommendations, and next steps. During follow-up, I update the plan as we review your progress, new results, or changes in treatment.

We meet as often as your care requires, with follow-up tailored to the stage of treatment and your response. A newly started medication may need closer review than stable long-term treatment. I am available during office hours and usually respond to messages and requests for help within a few hours. In most cases, we can arrange a video appointment the same day or the next day.

Yes. You can discuss a new symptom, medication, test result, or prevention question. I assess whether it falls within my scope and whether messaging, a video visit, local testing, an examination, or another clinician is needed. For an emergency, call 911; do not wait for a reply.

Medical questions between visits are handled through the clinical communication channel agreed for your care. I usually reply within a few hours during office hours; clinical messages receive a response within 24 hours. Temporary unavailability is covered by the vacation and illness policy. Messages are not monitored continuously. In most cases, I can arrange a same-day or next-day appointment. Live consultations are scheduled by appointment. Connection and communication instructions are provided before care begins. Zocdoc and social media are not the clinical messaging channel. If a problem cannot safely wait, seek appropriate local urgent care.

When appropriate and with your permission, I can help clarify other clinicians’ recommendations and coordinate the care I provide with them. We discuss who is responsible for each part of the plan and which questions require specialist input. Their consultations and other outside services are paid separately.

Tell the practice before scheduling care while away. This practice provides care to patients physically located in California or Kentucky, so you may need a local clinician while traveling. Do not assume a routine follow-up or refill can be provided from another state or country.

Appointments are available every day during U.S. daytime hours: 8 a.m.–2 p.m. Pacific, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Eastern, or 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Central during daylight saving time. During standard time, the hours are one hour earlier: 7 a.m.–1 p.m. Pacific, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Eastern, or 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Central. Check the time zone when booking. I usually reply to messages within a few hours during office hours. In most cases, appointments are available the same day or the next day. Live consultations are by appointment.

I give advance notice of planned vacations. We address ongoing treatment needs ahead of time and agree on how you can obtain care if you need it before I return.

If illness or another temporary absence prevents me from providing the care agreed under your membership and appropriate coverage has not been arranged, I will notify you and discuss the next steps. Refunds are provided only where required by applicable law, as described in the “Cancellation and refunds” section.

For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. For a time-sensitive problem that cannot wait for a scheduled visit or response, use an appropriate local urgent-care service. Do not rely on this practice for emergency or continuous monitoring.

Your paid month includes unlimited follow-up through messaging and medically appropriate, scheduled video or phone consultations. The number of contacts is not limited; each consultation lasts up to 60 minutes. We choose the form and timing of follow-up according to the clinical question, and I usually reply to messages within a few hours during office hours. In most cases, appointments are available the same day or the next day.

Standard care costs $200 for the first month. A Comprehensive Medical Review costs $500 for the first month when substantial initial analysis is needed. Both fees include the agreed initial consultation, written assessment and plan, and work on your case throughout that month. Your first month begins when payment is made, including preparation before the appointment. From month two, either option renews automatically at $200 per month unless you cancel. You can cancel before the next renewal without a cancellation fee; care continues through your paid period, subject to the applicable early termination and refund terms. There is no separate enrollment fee. The scope, first-month fee, payment, cancellation, and applicable refund terms are agreed before payment.

This option is for situations requiring substantial initial work: bringing together years of medical records, assessing several interacting problems, reviewing conflicting recommendations, or reconstructing a complicated treatment history. The amount of work determines the format; several diagnoses or medications alone do not make the first month more expensive. A focused second opinion can fit within standard care.

The fixed $500 first-month fee includes review of the agreed records and questions, a consultation of up to 60 minutes, a written assessment and plan, and continuous work on your case throughout the entire first month. As new information becomes available, I review results, reassess the agreed questions, and update the plan. Messaging and medically appropriate, scheduled follow-up consultations are included without a limit on their number; each consultation lasts up to 60 minutes. Usual communication hours and response arrangements apply.

We agree on the questions, records, and scope before payment and before the detailed review begins. The first month starts when payment is made, including preparation before the appointment; a later appointment does not delay its start. There is no additional $200 charge for that month. From month two, care renews at $200 per month unless you cancel before renewal. Medications, tests, imaging, and other providers’ services are paid separately. Payment, cancellation, and refund terms apply.

Obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high cholesterol, and other chronic conditions require long-term treatment, regular monitoring, and timely treatment adjustments. One or even several consultations are usually not enough: we need to track your progress, address difficulties, and adjust your treatment plan when needed.

Membership keeps you in touch with the same physician, who knows your history, treatment, and goals. You can reach out as soon as a question arises, without waiting for your next appointment or worrying about the cost of another consultation or phone call. Messaging, calls, and medically appropriate follow-up video consultations are included in your membership, with no separate charge for each contact.

You can send a message at any time; I respond during office hours, and calls and video consultations are scheduled in advance. The frequency of follow-up depends on your needs, and you can cancel future renewals if you no longer need ongoing care.

Yes. You may stop automatic renewal at any time without a cancellation fee. Use the cancellation link in your payment confirmation, or email info@oparinmedical.com. To prevent the next charge, submit your cancellation before the next renewal. Email cancellations take effect when received, regardless of when we reply.

Stopping renewal leaves the agreed care available through the end of your current paid month. There will be no further monthly renewals. Canceling or rescheduling an appointment does not, by itself, stop your subscription.

You or your legal guardian may also give written notice by email to terminate the agreement before the paid period ends. There is no termination fee. Upon termination, we will return all unearned prepaid fees that applicable law requires us to refund to you or the appropriate payor.

Refunds are provided only where required by applicable law. See the full payment, cancellation and refund terms, including your rights concerning incorrect or unauthorized charges and care not provided or made available as agreed.

Membership includes clinically planned follow-up consultations, review of relevant records, symptoms and test results, assessment of treatment response and side effects, medication management when appropriate, case-specific evidence review, written plan updates, and replies to clinical messages, usually within a few hours during office hours. When other clinicians are involved, I can help you understand their recommendations and coordinate the care I provide with your permission. Appointment and communication arrangements are agreed before enrollment. Outside services and medications are separate.

From month two, the membership fee is a fixed $200 per month. The agreed first-month fee is $200 for standard care or $500 for a Comprehensive Medical Review. These fees cover the agreed work and follow-up for the period, with no separate charge for each message or visit. They do not vary with how many times you contact me. If ongoing care is no longer needed, you can cancel before the next renewal to stop future charges.

Physician services are paid directly: $200 for a standard first month or $500 for a Comprehensive Medical Review with the first month of follow-up, then $200 per month under an automatically renewing subscription that you can cancel before the next renewal. This is not health insurance, and insurance reimbursement of these fees is not guaranteed. Coverage of prescriptions, testing, and other outside services is a separate matter to check with the provider and your insurer.

No. The consultation and membership fees cover physician services. Medications, laboratory tests, imaging, procedures, specialist consultations, and other outside services are charged separately. Check their prices and any insurance coverage with the relevant pharmacy, provider, or insurer.

Unfortunately, the practice does not currently accept Medicare patients, including on a self-pay basis.