Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? We’ve got answers! Our FAQ page is here to help you learn more about our services, what to expect during your visit, and how we support your journey to better health. Whether you’re curious about appointments, pricing, or specific therapies, you’ll find quick and helpful info right here.
Still have a question? Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to help!
What is Cellular Nutrition Assay Panel?
Discover how well nutrients are functioning at a cellular level in your body to optimize your health with a Cellular Nutrition Assay Panel Test. This advanced diagnostic tool goes beyond traditional blood tests by analyzing how your white blood cells respond to key vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It reveals hidden deficiencies and imbalances that could be affecting your energy, immunity, and overall wellness—giving you personalized insights to fine-tune your nutrition and achieve optimal health from the inside out.
This is crucial because even if blood levels appear normal, your cells might still be underperforming due to absorption issues, oxidative stress, or underlying imbalances. By identifying these subtle deficiencies early, the test helps guide personalized nutrition and supplement strategies, improve energy levels, strengthen immunity, and support long-term wellness and disease
What is Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing is a medical test that analyzes your DNA to identify changes or mutations in your genes. Your DNA carries the instructions that make up your genetic code, and changes in this code can provide important information about your health, inherited conditions, and disease risks.
There are several types of genetic tests, including:
Diagnostic Testing: This type of test is used to confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition in an individual who is showing symptoms. It can help determine if a specific genetic mutation is causing a disease.
Predictive and Presymptomatic Testing: These tests look for genetic mutations that could increase your risk of developing certain diseases, such as some cancers or neurological conditions, before any symptoms appear. This is often used in conditions with a known genetic predisposition.
Carrier Screening: This test checks if you carry a gene for certain inherited diseases (like cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia), even if you don’t have the condition yourself. It’s often done before or during pregnancy to see if a baby may inherit a genetic disorder.
Pharmacogenetic Testing: This test helps determine how your genes might affect your response to certain medications. It can guide doctors in choosing the most effective and safe medications for you.
Genetic testing can provide valuable insights into your health, risk for certain conditions, and even help with personalized treatment plans. However, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider to understand the results and any potential next steps based on the findings.
What is Lyme Disease?
Alicia is a certified Lyme Disease Specialist with extensive training in recognizing, diagnosing, and supporting the treatment of this complex condition. She is also experienced in identifying and managing these co-infections, ensuring a comprehensive approach to tick-borne illness care.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, typically transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. Common symptoms include fatigue, fever, headache, joint pain, and a characteristic “bull’s-eye” skin rash. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the joints, heart, and nervous system, leading to more serious complications.
In addition to Lyme disease, tick bites can transmit other infections known as co-infections. These include illnesses like Babesiosis, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Co-infections can complicate diagnosis and treatment, as they often produce overlapping symptoms such as fatigue, fever, muscle aches, neurological issues, and immune system dysfunction. Because each pathogen affects the body differently, co-infections may require specialized testing and tailored treatment plans.
Why isn't Functional Medicine Covered by my Insurance
Functional medicine often isn’t covered by traditional health insurance because it is considered an alternative or complementary approach to healthcare, rather than part of conventional medical practice. Here are a few reasons why it may not be covered:
Insurance Focuses on Conventional Medicine: Most insurance plans are structured to cover mainstream medical practices, which focus on diagnosing and treating diseases through medications, surgeries, and other standard protocols. Functional medicine, which focuses on addressing root causes of disease and using a more holistic approach (like diet, lifestyle changes, and personalized care), doesn’t always fit into the categories that insurance companies typically cover.
Lack of Standardized Protocols: Functional medicine often involves personalized treatment plans, which can vary significantly from one patient to another. This lack of standard, universally recognized protocols can make it harder for insurance companies to categorize and reimburse functional medicine services.
Preventative and Lifestyle-Based Focus: Many functional medicine approaches focus on prevention, nutrition, and lifestyle changes rather than immediate treatment of a diagnosed disease. Insurance is often more geared toward covering treatments for specific conditions, rather than preventive or wellness-based care.
Providers and Networks: Many functional medicine practitioners are not part of traditional insurance networks. Since they often have a more personalized, direct-care model (and sometimes work outside the standard healthcare system), their services are less likely to be covered by insurance.
Cost of Care: Functional medicine often requires more time per patient (longer consultations, more tests, etc.), which can make the cost higher than a traditional doctor’s visit. Because of this, insurance may be less likely to cover it, especially if the treatments involve specialized or out-of-pocket tests and supplements that aren’t typically covered.
Evidence-Based Guidelines: Insurance companies typically rely on evidence-based medicine, which means they prefer treatments that have extensive clinical research backing their effectiveness. While functional medicine has some research supporting its approaches, it may not yet meet the criteria for wide-scale insurance coverage.
What Do I Need To Bring To My First Appointment?
Please bring your ID, insurance card, and any recent lab work. Please fill out intake form prior to your appointment.
Using Health Lab and Insurance.
Our contracted lab is HealthLab, under Northwestern Medicine. HealthLab processes through most major insurances. We are able to bill lab services directly to your insurance. It is patient’s responsibility to ensure coverage.