How much should I expect to invest on lab testing at my first visit?
Your initial appointment at GrassRoots Functional Medicine will typically result in the most in-depth comprehensive laboratory analysis consisting of both conventional and functional lab testing. With the conventional labs that are ordered, you can bill your insurance directly, or you can pay the discounted negotiated cash rate. If you pay the discounted cash price for these labs, you will still receive an invoice with CPT codes to submit to your insurance in an attempt to get reimbursed. Please be aware that some of the labs we order are considered “experimental” by insurance companies. If insurance does not cover the labs ordered, the rate the lab companies will bill insurance will likely be significantly higher than the discounted cash rates. Specialized functional laboratory testing through Genova, Diagnotics Solutions, Doctor’s Data, DUTCH, Igenex, Cyrex, and other functional lab companies will likely also be ordered at the initial visit. Some of these tests are billable through insurance, while others are cash pay at our discounted negotiated practitioner rates. Testing is something that will be discussed in detail at your initial appointment with recommendations made on a case by case basis. Most patients invest an average of $800-$1200 in laboratory testing at their new patient visit. Those who have traditional Medicare (red, white & blue card) as their primary insurance typically spend less than $500 on labs at the initial visit due to superior coverage (compared to conventional insurance companies) from Medicare for Functional testing. For all labs that are paid upfront to GrassRoots, a super bill with charges and CPT codes can be provided to patients. The super bill can be submitted at the patients discretion to insurance companies in an attempt to get reimbursement. Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flex Spending Accounts can also be used to pay for labs. The labs testing fees are not included in program price.
Does GrassRoots accept health insurance?
We do not accept any form of medical insurance for consultations. We will provide you with an itemized bill with ICD-10 diagnostic codes and CPT codes at the end of your consultation which you may easily file with your insurance company. Some of the laboratory testing we collect may be submitted through your insurance, but we cannot guarantee they will cover any or all of the costs. You may use pre-tax dollars from your Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for your consultations and lab fees.
Will my medical insurance reimburse me for my consultation at GrassRoots?
We are unable to confirm nor deny whether or not your insurance company will reimburse charges for the visit. Our clinic will provide you with an itemized bill that contains ICD-10 diagnostic codes and CPT codes at the end of your consultation. You may file this information with your insurance company in an attempt to get reimbursed. In our experience, some insurance companies request additional information that is very detailed and resource intensive. At this time, GrassRoots does not have the ability to assist with insurance reimbursement above and beyond providing you with the diagnosis codes, tests codes, and consultation receipt for the consultation.
What is the difference between a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Medical Doctor (MD)?
The primary difference in these two professions is the educational curriculum. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a Nurse Practitioner with an educational background in nursing, whereas a Medical Doctor (MD) is a Physician who attends medical school followed by a medical residency. To become a DNP you must first earn a 4 year bachelor’s degree in nursing and then proceed to gain professional experience working as a nurse. Board certification as a Nurse Practitioner is then obtained after returning to school for another 2.5 years earning a Master’s degree in the Science of Nursing (MSN). The DNP is an additional 2-2.5 years of education beyond the master’s prepared nurse. In the United States there are currently 21 states plus the District of Columbia where Nurse Practitioners can practice independently without physician oversight. As a Doctor of Nursing Practice Dr. Osgood can order all of the same laboratory/diagnostics tests and medications as an MD that are necessary to provide a thorough Functional Medicine evaluation.
Does GrassRoots Process Prior Authorizations for Medications?
As a smaller cash-based practice, we do not have the staff to properly process prior authorizations for prescription medications that are ordered. Prior authorizations can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours with no guarantee of approval. We simply do not have the resources available to manage these requests. It is our recommendation that you approach your primary care physician and see if they are willing to order the medication. Primary care clinics are insurance based and typically have the resources to handle prior authorizations. If you are unable to get your primary care clinic to complete the request, we will process the request for a $50 fee. This fee includes up to one hour of time attempting to get the authorization approved. The fee will be charged regardless of whether the prior authorization is approved or denied. We wish this was an easier process, but unfortunately insurance companies make prior authorizations long and cumbersome. Thank you for understanding.
Does GrassRoots offer primary care services?
At GrassRoots Functional Medicine we can handle a majority of your primary care needs. With that being said, we do require you to maintain a relationship with a primary care provider for routine wellness screenings such as colonoscopies, pap smears, and prostate exams. As a Functional Medicine consulting clinic, our office hours and staffing does not allow the same availability and access to care that you can receive at your primary care clinic which would be necessary during situations that are urgent or emergent.
Does Functional Medicine replace Conventional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is a blend of both conventional medicine and alternative medicine and is meant to coexist with conventional treatment plans. Dr. Osgood is Doctor of Nursing Practice, Board Certicfied Family Nurse Practitioner with post graduate training in Functional Medicine which altogether the best of both worlds.
What is the cancellation policy at GrassRoots Functional Medicine?
As a cash-based practice with longer appointment times and limited appointment slots, we have to be very strict with the cancellation policy. We require a minimum cancellation notice of at least 2 business days to cancel or reschedule your appointment, which allows us time to fill the opening. Notification of cancellation in less than 2 business days will result in a charge for the full appointment fee. The clinic hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30am-5:00 pm and Friday 8:30-12 pm. Canceling a Monday appointment must be done during business hours on the Thursday prior to the scheduled appointment.
Does GrassRoots provide consults for children?
Dr. Osgood is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner trained to assess and treat indiviuals of all ages. At GrassRoots Functional Medicine we provide Functional Medicine consultations on children 4 years of age and older. As with adults, we do not serve as a primary care practice and children are still required to maintain routine well checks with a pediatrician.
How much is the Initial Consultation?
The initial consultation is $499. The cost of this visit will be put towards your Adaptation Program if you decide to move forward and transform your health.
Should I bring anything with me to the consultation?
We ask that you bring any pertinent medical records, supplements, medication and lab test results with you. If you are not the financial decision maker, we ask that you bring your significant other with you to the consultation.
How long should I expect the initial consultation to last?
Expect the initial consultation to last for 80 minutes. If you are a good candidate for our care we will go over the test kits and some paperwork to get you started. This will be an addition 10-15 minutes. We value your time and do our best to provide a timely service.
What is the investment to join the Adaptation Programs?
Program Pricing:
Adaptation Program (most popular):$2,999
Adaptation Plus: $4,499
(Lab testing is not included in the Program price)
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, credit card, HSA, and Flex Spending Accounts.
Does GrassRoots offer financing?
We do not offer traditional financing for the Adaptation Program or lab testing. The following option are available to pay for the program:
One Payment Option- Patient pays one upfront payment for the Program Fee.
Payment Plan– Patient pays 50% of Program Fee upon completion of the initial visit, and the remaining 50% of the program fee will be automatically billed to the card on file 30 days following the initial visit.
What is the refund policy for the program?
At GrassRoots, we pride ourselves on bringing tremendous value to the lives of our patients. By enrolling in the Program, you are receiving a comprehensive program consisting of a multitude of services. Since these services work synergistically to bring our patients a result, working with patients through this program allows us to provide a better price than offering each service a-la-carte. Therefore, if you choose to withdraw from the Program at any point after the initial consultation, GrassRoots will calculate your refund, if applicable, by assessing a $500 case fee, $150 GrassRoots Lifestyle Binder fee, plus an hourly rate of $499 for any services rendered by the clinical staff at GrassRoots (including the hours your clinician or nutritionist puts into your case outside of your one on one appointment times, and then subtracting the amount you have paid to date. If the result of this calculation is positive, GrassRoots will issue you a refund of any overage less a 3% refund processing fee. If the result of this calculation is negative, you will be responsible for paying the balance due within 10 days of receipt of Grassroots’ invoice. Upon termination, you will be required to return all materials that were provided to you at your initial appointment.
What is included in the Adaptation Programs?
Can appointments be done over the phone or through video conferencing?
Yes. We recommend that your first appointment is done in person so we can meet with you and make sure we’re a good fit for each other. Subsequent appointments with the doctor or nutritionist can be completed over the phone or face-to-face through video conferencing.
Do I see Dr. Osgood for all of my practitioner appointments in the Adaptation Program?
The Adaptation Programs are collaborative programs that are carried out by the GrassRoots team. We believe the more brains on the case the better! You will see Dr. Osgood for the initial 80-minute new patient visit and the 60-minute first follow up visit. The next series of practitioner follow-up visits will be conducted by Dr. Osgood or another Functional Medicine practitioner within the clinic. Each week Dr. Osgood meets with the GrassRoots team to discuss all patient cases so each team member is up to speed with the current plan of care. Dr. Osgood oversees all patient cases from the beginning to the end of your program.
Who will my second and third appointment be with?
Your second appointment will be with the Nutritionist/Lifestyle Coach and they will be focusing on your dietary aspects, recipes and menu. She will also provide you with lifestyle coaching and consulting so you’ll walk away with actionable steps you can implement right away to get your health on the right track. Your third appointment will be with your clinician who will be overseeing your case, answering your questions and recording your lab result videos. This third appointment is designed to review your lab results and develop an individualized treatment plan.
How does the lab testing work?
The majority of lab testing is typically done at home but blood work will also need to be completed either at our office or another phlebotomy center. We will direct you to the appropriate phlebotomy center depending on labs that are ordered. Many of the tests have shipping included in the cost of the kits, if not you will be responsible for the shipping. You will get instructions in more detail on how to do the test kits and the kits come with clear instructions as well. Payment is made directly to the lab to ensure you have the lowest price possible. The direct lab pricing we offer in the Adaptation Program saves patients hundreds if not thousands of dollars.
What happens at the end of the Adaptation Program?
Upon completion of the Adaptation Program you qualify for the Adaptation Graduate Program which is highly encouraged to ensure the hard work you put into your health is maintained and continues to improve. The Adaptation Graduate program is $1,699 annually and includes continued access to the office staff and online materials, six practitioner consults per year, two nutrition consults per year and prescription management if needed.
I’m ready to get started, what are the next steps?
If you ready to jump on board with making your initial visit, just call the clinic (888) 644-7668 and schedule your initial consult with Dr. Osgood. We always recommend speaking with Dr. Osgood prior to the first visit through a Free Discovery Call to ensure you will be a good fit for the program. To schedule a new patient appointment, you will be required to put a non-refundable deposit of $250 down which will go towards the total cost of your program.
