Frequently Asked Questions

 

How much do appointments cost?

Does insurance cover Naturopathic Medicine in Minnesota and are you in-network for any health insurance plans?

No. Currently in Minnesota it’s exceptionally rare for visits with Naturopathic Doctors to be covered by insurance and we do not accept or bill insurance on your behalf. We are an out-of-network outpatient clinic and accept payment at the time of service. As a courtesy to our patients, if requested we will include insurance codes on your receipts so that you can submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement if you have out-of-network coverage for office visits with registered NDs. Your insurance company may reimburse you directly at the level they cover, depending on whether you have met your relevant deductible/s or not.

Can I use my Health Saving Account (HSA) or Flex Spending Account (FSA) to pay for visits?

Yes! This is a very popular option among our patients; many have high-deductible plans with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flex Spending Accounts (FSAs). Those funds can be used for office visits, labs and supplements as their plans allow. It’s always best to check in advance with the administrator of your specific plan, but using HSA/FSA funds at Be Well has gone smoothly and quickly for our patients without exception for many years.

How are naturopathic doctors educated and trained?

The doctors at Be Well Natural Medicine are Naturopathic doctors (NDs) and have attended four-year professional-level programs at accredited institutions where they have been educated in the same basic sciences as allopathic physicians. Some ND schools actually require more hours of basic and clinical science than many top allopathic medical schools.

During their first two years of study, the curriculum focuses on biomedical and clinical sciences, covering:

  • Biochemistry

  • Human Physiology

  • Histology

  • Anatomy

  • Microbiology

  • Immunology

  • Human Pathology

  • Neuroscience

  • Pharmacology

  • And More…

For at least the final two years of their medical program, students intern in clinical settings under the close supervision of licensed professionals including NDs, MDs, DOs and DCs.

Students of naturopathic medicine use the Western medical sciences as a foundation on which to build a thorough knowledge of holistic, non-toxic therapies and develop skills in diagnosis, disease prevention and wellness optimization.

While earning their degree, doctors of naturopathic medicine learn virtually all proven Naturopathic Clinical Therapies:

  • Clinical Nutrition

  • Counseling

  • Botanical Medicine

  • Hydrotherapy

  • Homeopathy

  • Intravenous (IV) Therapy

  • Lifestyle Counseling

  • Mind-Body Medicine

  • Massage

  • Pharmacology

  • Physical Medicine

Graduates from naturopathic medical schools must pass the comprehensive naturopathic physicians licensing examinations (NPLEX) to be licensed or registered to practice as well as satisfy all requirements for the individual state or province in which they practice.

Today’s naturopathic physicians artfully blend modern, cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with ancient and traditional methods. They offer the world a healing paradigm founded on a rational balance of tradition, science and respect for nature.

(Adapted from Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges)

Do you use labs?

Yes! Naturopathic Doctors are the original functional medicine experts and we use cutting edge labs to help identify root causes of illness. We order blood, urine, saliva and stool tests to check for issues like food sensitivities, endocrine and hormonal function, DNA stool pathogen analysis and leaky gut biomarkers, as well as many other available options. We do not run hair analysis or use applied kinesiology. You can read more about labs we order right here.

Can you be my primary care provider?

Not exactly. While we are many patients’ go-to for most of their healthcare needs, there are a few things to know about our practice:

We are a virtually-based practice and don’t see patients in person at this time. Additionally it’s typical for our doctors to schedule days to weeks in advance. For an acute or emergent health concern, your MD may be able to see you same day—this is especially relevant for pediatrics or mental health concerns. Additionally, our doctors are not on-call after hours or on weekends.

For these reasons we recommend that you maintain a relationship with a Primary Care Provider in conjunction with your care here at Be Well. We partner with MDs to make sure you receive the most comprehensive healing plan and patient care possible.

Can you refill my prescription? What about IVs?

No, NDs don’t order IV therapies or write pharmaceutical prescriptions (e.g. Synthroid, antibiotics or bioidentical hormones). These are outside of our current scope of practice in Minnesota. We work often and successfully with patients dealing with thyroid and hormonal concerns, but we use a different toolbox than an MD.

Do you offer distance or virtual appointments?

We do! Minnesota residents can schedule a new patient appointment by video conference. Follow up appointments can be done by phone or Zoom. If you are living outside of Minnesota you’ll need to schedule in-person for your new patient appointment (only available on select Mondays.)

How many appointments will I need?

This depends on the complexity of your individual concern. A common appointment interval in our practice is to follow up every 4-8 weeks in the beginning of undergoing naturopathic care. Working at a root cause level takes time and can offer much deeper healing than palliation.

Do you offer a payment plan?

No. Payment is full is due at the end of your appointment. If you expect reimbursement from a third party they will need to reimburse to you directly. We do not accept third party agency payments.

What payment forms are accepted?

We accept all major credit cards including Health Savings Account and Flex Spending Account cards.

How do I start?

We’re happy to help guide you towards the practitioner who might be best suited for your concerns - just give us a call at 612-440-7710! If you’re ready to schedule now or just curious about current new patient openings you can always check out this link to our live schedule RIGHT HERE.