FAQs
Have questions about functional medicine, labs, or insurance? Here are clear answers to the most common questions patients ask before getting started.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is a whole-person, root-cause approach to health. Instead of only treating symptoms, it looks at how systems in the body—like the gut, hormones, immune system, and nervous system—are working together. The goal is to understand why symptoms are happening and to support the body’s natural ability to heal through targeted lifestyle changes, nutrition, stress support, and, when needed, supplements or medications.
How does FM work with my PCP?
Functional medicine is meant to complement, not replace, your primary care. I encourage you to keep your PCP for routine checkups, urgent concerns, and prescription management. With your permission, I can share relevant lab results, assessment findings, and care plans so your providers are on the same page. Think of functional medicine as an added layer of support that helps connect the dots and gives your PCP more information, not as a separate or competing system.
Do the labs involve giving blood?
Sometimes, yes. Many functional medicine labs use a simple blood draw, similar to what you would have done at a regular doctor’s office. Depending on what we’re looking at, we may also use non-invasive testing such as saliva, urine, or stool samples. We’ll review which tests are recommended for you, what each one looks for, and whether it involves a blood draw before anything is ordered.
Is FM covered by Insurance?
Coverage varies by plan and by service. In many cases, functional medicine consultations are considered out-of-network and are paid for at the time of service. Some patients are able to use HSA/FSA funds or submit receipts to their insurance for possible reimbursement, depending on their benefits.
Lab tests are sometimes billed through insurance if they are processed by a conventional lab your plan covers; specialty functional labs may not be covered or may only be partially covered. Before moving forward, we’ll talk through costs and options so there are no surprises.