Re: Important Notice Regarding Your Physician, Dr. James J. Chao

Dear Patients,

We are writing to inform you of an important change regarding your care with Prime Plastic Surgery Associates, Corp. (“Prime”). Effective August 1, 2025, Dr. James J. Chao will no longer be affiliated with Prime or its clinical operations, including the La Mesa and Carmel Valley locations. Dr. Chao’s departure is part of a broader, carefully planned transition undertaken by Prime in connection with the closure of certain clinic locations.

The purpose of this notice is to support your uninterrupted access to care and to ensure transparency in your future treatment decisions.

Your Options Moving Forward

We want to assure you that your ongoing health and satisfaction remain our top priority. As a current or recent patient of Dr. Chao, you have the right to decide how you would like to proceed with your care. You can either choose another physician to meet your medical needs or transition to Dr. Chao’s independent practice. If you prefer to continue care with Dr. Chao outside of Prime, you may do so. Dr. Chao will be in custody of his patients’ records for continuity of care. To initiate the transfer of your medical records to another provider, you will need to complete and submit a formal medical records release authorization. This form is available at primeplasticsurgery.com/requests.

Dr. James Chao will be practicing at:

VedaNu Wellness
8901 Activity Road
San Diego, CA 92126
Phone: (858) 222-2883
Email: info@vedanuwellness.com

Deposits and Future Procedures

If you have submitted a surgical deposit for a procedure that was originally scheduled with Dr. Chao on a date after his departure from Prime, our office will coordinate with you directly to provide a full refund upon written request. You are not obligated to reschedule with another provider at Prime in order to receive this refund. Should you choose to pursue the procedure with Dr. Chao outside of Prime, any new financial or clinical arrangements must be coordinated directly with his independent practice. Until August 1, 2025, you can submit your refund request via telephone at (619) 466-8851, via form at primeplasticsurgery.com/requests, or in person at our office. After August 1, 2025, refunds can be requested via form at primeplasticsurgery.com/requests. If your payment was made via cash or check, your refund will be issued via check only.

Privacy and Records

Please rest assured that your medical records are safeguarded and managed in strict accordance with all applicable privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA).

Your records will be handled in accordance with applicable law, including transferred to Dr. Chao or to any other outside provider unless valid authorization is received by the patient and/or such transfer of medicals records is in accordance with applicable law. Should you choose to continue your care with Dr. Chao or another provider, Prime will facilitate the release of your records solely for the purpose of ensuring continuity of your care. Please be assured your medical records will remain securely stored and accessible through Prime’s designated medical records department.

For any questions regarding medical records, coordination of care, or to initiate a refund request, please do not hesitate to contact our support team at support@primeplasticsurgery.com.