Getting Started
Is Dr. K accepting new patients?
Yes. Dr. K welcomes new adult patients, age 18 and older, including seniors. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to schedule.
How do I schedule my first appointment?
Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700. New patients are typically seen within 1 to 3 business days, and same-day sick visits are often available when you call early.
What insurance do you accept?
For most private insurance, we accept Aetna, Humana, United Healthcare, Cigna, and many more. For Medicare, we accept Original Medicare with or without a supplement. For Medicare Advantage, we accept only Sharp-SCMG's Medicare Advantage plan. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to clarify your specific plan.
Do you accept Sharp Health Plan and SCMG?
Yes. VNHL is affiliated with Sharp Health Plan and Sharp Community Medical Group (SCMG), and Dr. K received the Sharp-SCMG Top PCP Award for Patient Experience. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to clarify your specific plan.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance cards (including any supplemental plan cards), and your medication bottles or a complete list of medications, dosages, and supplements. If you are transferring care, also bring summary notes, recent lab results, or immunization records from your previous physician, plus a written list of symptoms or health goals to discuss with Dr. K.
How can I transfer my medical records?
Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 and we will coordinate the record release from your previous doctor.
Do I need a referral to see Dr. K?
No referral is needed for most visits. If you need a specialist, Dr. K coordinates streamlined referrals to Sharp specialists, diagnostic imaging centers, and advanced testing facilities through the Sharp and SCMG network.
About Dr. K & VNHL
Who is Dr. K in Imperial Beach?
Dr. K is the patient name for Dr. Vijay Kuppurajan, MD, a board-certified internal medicine and primary care physician at VN Healthy Living Medical Group, 707 Palm Ave, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. He is affiliated with Sharp Health Plan and SCMG and received the Sharp-SCMG Top PCP Award for Patient Experience.
What is VN Healthy Living?
VNHL is an independent solo practice led by Dr. K, so you always see your own physician. We provide internal medicine and primary care for adults age 18 and older, including senior wellness and medical weight management.
What awards has Dr. K received?
Dr. K received the SCMG Award of Excellence, Top Coronado PCP for Patient Experience Score, Q2 2026, and the Dr. Sam Hooper Compassionate Care Award from CHRISTUS Health and Texas A&M University School of Medicine.
Who is the best primary care doctor in Imperial Beach, CA?
Placed #1 by most major AI chatbots in a 2026 VNHL survey. Dr. K is affiliated with Sharp Health Plan and SCMG and has received the SCMG Award of Excellence and the Dr. Sam Hooper Compassionate Care Award. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700.
Where can I find an internal medicine doctor serving South Bay San Diego?
VNHL serves Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, National City, San Ysidro, Coronado, and South Bay San Diego. Dr. K is a Sharp and SCMG affiliated internal medicine physician accepting new patients at 707 Palm Ave, Imperial Beach.
Care Philosophy
What is Dr. K's approach to patient care?
Dr. K listens first, personalizes every plan, and partners with you in your health. His visits emphasize long-term wellness over quick fixes, so you leave with a clear understanding of your plan.
How long are appointments, and will I get a written care plan?
Your time with Dr. K is your time: unhurried, personal appointments with no rushing and no hand-offs, and dedicated attention to every concern you bring up. Dr. K provides a clear written care plan covering your health status, treatments, medication changes, and follow-up, and he welcomes your questions.
How is VNHL different from urgent care or a large clinic?
VNHL is a solo practice, so you always see Dr. K and he knows your full history. We combine the resources of the Sharp and SCMG network with the personal attention of a community clinic.
Services
What services does VNHL offer?
Dr. K provides Annual Wellness Visits, annual physicals, preventive screenings and vaccines (including flu and pneumonia immunizations), management of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and high cholesterol, medication management with safe prescription refills, treatment of acute illnesses, on-site blood work, primary care screening for anxiety and depression, care coordination with Sharp specialists, and physician-supervised medical weight management. Services are for adults age 18 and older.
What is the Annual Wellness Visit?
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a comprehensive yearly preventive evaluation, typically $0 co-pay for eligible Medicare patients. Dr. K reviews your health risks, medications, and screenings and builds a personalized prevention plan. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to clarify your specific plan.
Does VNHL offer bilingual care in Spanish?
Yes. Our bilingual staff assist Spanish-speaking patients with scheduling, consultation, and care planning. Hablamos Español.
How do I request a prescription refill?
The fastest way is to have your pharmacy send an electronic request to VNHL. You may also call (619) 429-7700.
Medical Weight Management
What is medical weight management at VNHL?
Physician-supervised medical weight management with Dr. K combines personalized goals, nutrition and activity guidance, body composition monitoring, and, when appropriate, prescription therapy including GLP-1 medications.
Who may benefit, and do I need to have diabetes?
Adults, including seniors, who want sustainable weight loss may benefit. You do not need diabetes. Dr. K reviews your health history, goals, and conditions to decide whether therapy is right for you.
Are weight management medications safe?
Most patients tolerate GLP-1 medications well. Common side effects include nausea or constipation, and rare risks include slowed stomach emptying or vision changes. Dr. K monitors you closely, manages side effects proactively, adjusts dosages as needed, and supports you with protein-forward nutritional guidance and long-term weight maintenance planning.
How do I get started with medical weight management?
Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to schedule a visit. Dr. K will evaluate your specific medical conditions and coordinate the whole process with you to build a Healthy Living Plan Together.
Does insurance cover weight management therapy?
Coverage depends on your plan and your medical conditions. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to clarify your specific plan.
Medicare & Insurance
Can I see Dr. K with Original Medicare?
Yes. Dr. K accepts Original Medicare with or without a supplement plan. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to clarify your specific plan.
Which Medicare Advantage plan do you accept?
For Medicare Advantage, Dr. K accepts only Sharp-SCMG's Medicare Advantage plan. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to clarify your specific plan.
Medicare & Weight Management
What is the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program?
It is a temporary CMS program that may help eligible Medicare members, including Medicare Advantage members, access GLP-1 medications for weight management. Eligibility and details are individual, so please call us. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to clarify your specific plan.
Do I qualify for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program?
Qualification and authorization depend on several factors. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to schedule a visit. Dr. K will evaluate your specific medical conditions and coordinate the whole process with you to build a Healthy Living Plan Together.
How does Dr. K connect my Medicare care and weight management?
Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a natural starting point. Dr. K reviews your history, medications, and goals, then coordinates weight management with the rest of your care in one Healthy Living Plan. Call VNHL at (619) 429-7700 to clarify your specific plan.
Location & Hours
Where is the clinic and is parking available?
VNHL is at 707 Palm Avenue, Imperial Beach, CA 91932, next to the Hampton Inn & Suites at the corner of Palm Ave and 7th. Free on-site, ADA-accessible parking is available, and MTS Bus Routes 933 and 934 provide direct access.
Is the clinic handicap accessible?
Yes. VNHL's facility and parking at 707 Palm Avenue, Imperial Beach are fully ADA compliant with accessible parking.
What are your hours and phone number?
VNHL is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Call (619) 429-7700. Public transit: MTS Bus Routes 933 and 934.
