How does a naturopathic doctor (ND) differ from a medical doctor (MD)?
Naturopathic doctors receive similar training to medical doctors in the biomedical and clinical sciences but are also trained in evidence-based natural therapies such as clinical nutrition, herbs, supplements, and the use of alternative diagnostic tools. In general, NDs spend more time with their patients, allowing them to conduct a deeper investigation into the underlying cause of their illness. In treatment, the goal of NDs is to use the least invasive therapies possible, with an emphasis on prevention and reversal of chronic disease. Naturopathic doctors spend the majority of their clinical hours in outpatient clinics and generally do not do hospital rounds.
Do you take insurance?
We are currently considered ‘out-of-network’ providers, meaning that you would pay for your visit at the time of service, but we will give you a special bill, called a “superbill”, you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Will insurance cover my visits?
Depending on your policy, insurance may cover office visits with us as out-of-network providers. We recommend calling your insurance company and asking if office visits with a naturopathic doctor or acupuncturist are covered. Our experience is that most PPO plans reimburse very well.
Does insurance cover lab testing?
Blood tests will usually be covered if you have a PPO plan. For other plans, such as HMOs, you may have to go through your primary care physician. Other lab tests, including saliva, stool, and urine, may also be reimbursed, but please check in advance. If you have a high deductible health plan, we can use a discount lab provider to run blood tests at a fraction of the retail price. All visits and testing are covered under flexible spending (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA).
Are supplements covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans don’t cover the cost of supplements directly, but they can be paid for by a flexible spending or health savings account. We are happy to provide you with a letter of medical necessity or prescription for your supplements if required by your insurance company.
How can I prepare for my first visit?
Your provider will always try to review your intake form from our patient portal prior to your visit. When possible, please fill out your form ahead of time and upload any labs, imaging reports, and relevant medical history notes into the patient portal.
The initial office visit is a comprehensive one-on-one consultation during which your provider will work to obtain a complete picture of your, or your child’s, present condition as well as review your medical history, past and current health concerns, nutrition, and lifestyle. After assessing your health needs, your provider may recommend dietary modifications, nutritional supplements, or additional testing which may be done through a conventional lab or a lab specializing in functional medicine testing.
The first follow-up visit is generally scheduled for 1-3 weeks after the initial visit to review any lab work received and review your initial treatment plan. Subsequent follow-ups will be determined by your provider.
What is the cost for a visit?
Visits to Peninsula Integrative Medicine vary in cost depending on the type and duration of your visit and the type of provider you see and between $395 and $650 for the initial visit. We also have several cost-reducing packages available to patients who are ready to take charge of their health and the doctor will discuss them with you in the free consultation or your first appointment.
Our goal at Peninsula Integrative Medicine is not just to get you feeling better, but to help you maintain your optimal health and wellness throughout life. We aim to provide you with the most comprehensive care possible while keeping our fees affordable.
Do you use nutritional supplementation? Where can I purchase recommended supplements?
Based on a thorough history of your health concerns, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory testing, your provider will determine a customized therapeutic plan for you, which may include nutritional supplements, herbal medicines, therapeutic diets, lifestyle modification, and prescription medication when appropriate. Nutritional supplements are often an important part of your treatment plan and are customized to the individual needs of each patient.
Some supplements are readily available in local stores, while some are professional brands only available through medical offices or professional online stores.
Please let us know when you are running low on your supplements Please submit your order by phone to (650) 485-2758 or by e-mail to office@peninsulaintegrative.com. Be sure to include the following information:
Manufacturer
Exact name of supplement
Strength
Whether it comes in liquid, powder, or capsule
The size of the bottle, number of capsules, or amount of liquid or powder
Quantity needed
Please confirm your shipping address and billing information (ie. last four of your CC). In general, orders will ship out the following business day and take two to four business days to arrive. Please give yourself plenty of time to receive orders before your run out of supplements.
What is your cancellation policy?
In order to ensure that we have room in our schedule for all of our patients, we have a 2 business day cancellation policy. You will be asked for your credit card when you schedule your appointment to hold your appointment slot. You will not be charged unless you do not show up for your appointment and have not canceled within the 2-day cancellation period. Of course, exceptions can be made for unique circumstances. The fee for missed appointments is the cost of the visit.