Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Functional Family Nurse Practitioner be my Primary Care Provider?
A: Functional Family Nurse Practitioner is not a primary care provider. While we see patients with all types of health conditions and illnesses, we are specialized in Functional Medicine, and do not offer routine health screenings. We ask that you have an established primary care provider before becoming our patient.
Q: What is a typical Functional Medicine Patient?
A: Functional Medicine is for any one that wants to get to the root cause of their health symptoms and/or maximize their health and wellness. We work with all types of complex conditions including autoimmune diseases, obesity, IBS, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, hormone imbalances, peri and menopausal symptoms, thyroid conditions, acid reflux, depression, anxiety and many more. Functional Medicine is also well suited for those who are healthy, but something doesn’t feel quite right, and suffer with symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, decreased concentration, insomnia, etc.
Q: Can I communicate with my provider in-between visits?
A: Yes! Patients may ask non urgent, brief questions regarding their treatment plan in-between visits via email at team@Functionalfamilynp.com. Your provider will respond within 2 business days. Extensive questions or those not related to the treatment plan are best suited for patient visits.
This service is NOT for emergencies. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please go to the nearest Emergency Room, Urgent Care or dial 911.
Q: Do you accept insurance?
A: Our office does not bill insurance. We do not submit claims or call insurance companies directly. This is the responsibility of the patient.We opted out of participating with insurance, which considers us to be out of network. However, your insurance plan may cover certain testing and procedures ordered by us. Please reach out to your insurance provider with questions regarding coverage.
Q: How do I submit my claim to insurance so I can receive a reimbursement?
A: Upon request, a Superbill will be generated which will include the date of service, appropriate procedure and diagnosis codes and the amount that was paid for the visit. You can mail this form to your insurance plan to the address listed on the back of your insurance card. We cannot guarantee what reimbursement, if any, you may receive. We do not participate with Medicare, nor do we bill Medicare for any services rendered. A patient can NOT submit superbills to Medicare for possible reimbursement.
Q: Why don’t you accept insurance?
A: Unfortunately when a Medical Provider contracts with insurance companies, they dictate what is deemed appropriate and necessary, which may not necessarily be in the best interest of the patient to heal. An insurance based model does not allow a Provider to spend the time necessary with a patient to develop a personalized care plan, nor to allow the time to provide the patient adequate education, support and guidance which yields improved patient outcomes.
Q: What types of payment do we accept?
A: We accept Cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Card. You may use a Flex Spending Account for payment. Personal checks are not accepted. We ask that you keep an active credit card on file at our office as part of your registration with Functional Family Nurse Practitioner.
Q: Do insurance companies pay for specialty labs?
A: Specialty tests are generally not covered by insurance.
Q: Do insurance companies pay for blood labs?
A: Yes, your labs may be covered by insurance, depending on your health insurance plan. Please check coverage with your insurance company for the lab company we use (LabCorp).
Q: Why does the paperwork for the New Patient Visit need to be submitted 72 hours prior to my intake?
A: Extensive review of your medical history and current symptoms is a critical component the practitioner completes in preparation for your first visit. The questionnaires requested provide essential information that is used to formulate your personalized care plan.
Q: What is the cancellation policy?
A: We require 72-hour notification via our online patient portal, Practice Better for cancellation or reschedule. Without notice, the following fees apply:
-$250 cancellation fee for a New Patient visit
-$250 cancellation fee for a Review of Findings visit
-$125 cancellation fee for follow up visit
Q: Where can I order supplements?
A: We offer supplements through Designs for Health and Fullscript. We chose these brands as they are high quality, use minimal fillers, binders, allergens and other ingredients that can be problematic to some individuals. They can be conveniently ordered online and shipped directly to your home. Links for ordering through these companies are located on our website under the supplements tab. At the end of each visit, a document will be prepared for you which clearly explains your care plan, including diet, lifestyle and supplement recommendations.
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