We prioritize patient-centered care, focusing on what's best for you rather than what's covered by insurance. As a result, we do not accept any form of medical insurance, including Medicare/Medicaid. However, upon request, we can provide you with an itemized superbill, which you can submit to your insurance plan to request partial reimbursement. Please note: Reimbursement is subject to each patients unique insurance plan and deductible, and therefore cannot be guaranteed. We are unable to assist with insurance reimbursement requests beyond providing the superbill.
Do you accept HSA/FSA funds?
Yes- You can use your flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA) for all services.
Regrettably, we do not accept Care Credit due to their requirement for practices to adhere to legal obligations concerning routine health maintenance services. These services, including vaccinations, mammograms, age-related bone density scans, are provided by Primary Care Physicians and fall outside the scope of Functional Medicine.
Given the substantial preparation involved prior to each appointment, we respectfully ask for a minimum of 24 hours' notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. Changes made outside of this timeframe may result in a $200 cancellation fee. Furthermore, in the event of multiple last-minute reschedules or cancellations, we may request partial payment before rescheduling.
We strive to maintain our schedule efficiently. If you arrive late for your appointment, please understand that we may not be able to extend the appointment beyond the designated time. In such cases, you will be charged the full visit fee. We appreciate your punctuality and cooperation.
We do not complete any forms for patients, including but not limited to family medical leave, vaccination exemptions, disability forms, etc. However, we are available to assist by providing a general letter explaining your medical condition to the relevant entity upon request.
Can you be my Primary Care Physician?
While we specialize in identifying and treating the root causes of health issues using personalized and holistic approaches, we do not function as Primary Care Physicians. It's important for all patients to maintain an ongoing relationship with their Primary Care Physician for various needs, including managing acute illnesses, preventive screenings, and routine check-ups. Please be aware that our staff does not offer emergency or on-call services. For all acute issues, please consult with your Primary Care Physician.
We offer appointments both virtually and in-person. Virtual appointments are available Tuesday through Thursday, while in-person appointments are scheduled on the first and third Wednesday of each month during our clinical hours from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please be aware that regulatory compliance requires all out-of-state patients to be seen in person.
We recommend purchasing supplements from our convenient online supplement shop powered by Fullscript. All products in our Fullscript catalog are enforced with strict quality controls to ensure it's purity and potency. Enjoy a 10% discount on all orders, with free shipping available for orders over $50. You don't need to be a patient of our practice to take advantage of our supplement shop. Our goal is to provide easy access for anyone wishing to purchase high-quality nutraceuticals.
The cost of lab testing may vary depending on your coinsurance, deductible, and specific insurance plan. Some tests may require a copay or out-of-pocket payment. Coverage may also depend on factors such as diagnoses and whether the lab is within your insurance network. After your appointment, Dr. Patel will provide you with a printable lab order, which you can take to any lab of your choosing. This approach is designed to maximize insurance coverage.
To gain a better understanding of your coverage and potential costs before proceeding with any testing, we recommend contacting your insurance plan directly to see if the labs are covered, and what lab is within network. The lab order will contain all of the necessary codes to facilitate this call.
In the event that your insurance plan does not cover the tests, or if you are uninsured, we are happy to arrange discounted "cash pay" labs upon request.
Are medications and/or supplements covered by insurance?
Supplements cannot be billed to insurance, but if necessary, we can provide a letter of medical necessity for use with flexible spending accounts. For prescription medications, we will utilize insurance and in-network pharmacies whenever possible.
Advanced functional medicine tests offer comprehensive insight into various aspects of health, including hormone levels, nutrient deficiencies, gut health, genetic predispositions, and inflammation markers. These tests enable us to pinpoint specific imbalances or dysfunctions contributing to your symptoms. During your appointment, your doctor will discuss the available options for advanced testing, as well as any associated out-of-pocket costs. Typically, we recommend 1 to 2 tests per year to help patients identify root cause issues and evaluate their progress towards improved health. Some of the common tests we use are:
-Advanced Stool Studies: A comprehensive stool analysis that assesses various aspects of gastrointestinal health, including microbiome composition, digestive function, inflammation markers, intestinal permeability, immune function, and the presence of parasites or pathogens. By providing detailed insights into gut health, this test enables us to identify imbalances or dysfunctions, develop personalized treatment plans, and optimize gastrointestinal function to alleviate symptoms and promote overall well-being.
-SIBO Breath Test: A non-invasive diagnostic tool used to identify SIBO (Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), which is associated with common symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malabsorption of nutrients. Treatment may involve eliminating the overgrowth with antibiotics, herbal supplements, and/or a specialized diet.
-Organic Acid Testing (OAT): A urine test that evaluates metabolites of fungal and bacterial overgrowth in the gut, mitochondrial function, neurotransmitters, and deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
- Nutrient Testing: An advanced diagnostic tool that assesses nutritional status and metabolic function by analyzing various biomarkers in the body. This comprehensive test evaluates levels of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, oxidative stress markers, and metabolic markers to provide insights into nutrient deficiencies, imbalances, and metabolic dysfunctions. By identifying specific nutritional deficiencies and metabolic imbalances, this test helps us develop personalized treatment plans to optimize nutrient levels and support metabolic pathways.
-Food Sensitivity Testing: Commonly used in children to understand if there are food sensitivities that can be causing symptoms, food sensitivity tests are used to identify potential triggers of inflammation and immune reactions within the body. By pinpointing specific foods that may be contributing to symptoms, these tests allow us to develop personalized dietary plans tailored to each individual's needs.
-Hormone Testing: This test provides detailed insights into hormone balance, including cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and their metabolites, as well as markers of adrenal function, allowing us to identify hormonal imbalances and develop personalized treatment plans. This test is particularly useful in evaluating conditions such as adrenal fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and reproductive disorders, and helps guide targeted interventions to support hormonal balance.
-Adrenal Testing: This test measures levels of adrenal hormones such as cortisol and DHEA, as well as their metabolites, throughout the day to assess the body's stress response and circadian rhythm. By identifying abnormalities in adrenal hormone levels, we can identify conditions such as adrenal fatigue, adrenal insufficiency, or adrenal dysfunction related to chronic stress.
-Heavy Metal testing: Aimed at identifying and addressing potential toxic exposures that can adversely affect health, this test analyzes levels of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and more to develop personalized detoxification protocols to reduce exposure and support the body's natural detoxification pathways.
-Mycotoxins: Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds that can contaminate food, water, and indoor environments. Mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, and others, can have adverse effects on human health, including gastrointestinal issues, immune system dysfunction, neurological symptoms, and carcinogenic effects. Through testing, we can assess exposure levels and provide personalized strategies for detoxification.
-Environmental Toxins: This assesses exposure to various environmental pollutants and toxins that can negatively impact health, including heavy metals, pesticides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates, and other chemicals commonly found in air, water, food, and everyday products, which can contribute to a wide range of health issues, including neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, immune dysfunction, and chronic diseases.
Are advanced functional medicine tests covered by insurance?
While some of these tests may be partially covered by insurance, the majority are typically not covered and can range in cost from $130 - $400+. It's important to note that these tests are optional, although they may be strongly recommended depending on your specific health concerns. You will be notified of all potential out-of-pocket costs prior to testing.
We are committed to community outreach and would be honored to address your organization, church, and/or school on the benefits of functional medicine for your community. Our services extend to group health sessions tailored to these entities upon request. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for further information.
Please feel free to contact our office with any other questions you may have!