Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQs
Functional Medicine is an evolved approach to medical care that looks to address the healthcare needs of the 21st century patient. The primary difference is that in Functional Medicine, practitioner and patient work together to look for the root cause of illness and disease states and provide true preventional medicine with whole person approach to care.
At Mary Wuebben Wellness we seek to spend time with patients, listening to their history, making connections between environment, genetics, and lifestyle factors, all of which influence a person’s health. Symptom management only scratches the surface: our goal is to uncover the source of symptoms and give each person the chance to reverse their disease states and restore them to optimal health.
Is Functional Medicine right for me?
Functional Medicine is for anyone willing to participate in their own health care with the understanding that disease states do not happen overnight, and so their reversal or remission may take some time and effort. Treatments often include alterations in diet, lifestyle, and stress management in order to achieve optimal results. Nutraceutical supplements as well as medications are often used to enhance changes and restore health. Functional Medicine is for anyone willing to invest time in your health beyond just swallowing a drug! At Mary Wuebben Wellness we want you to be able to live your best life!
What are some common body systems treated by Functional Medicine?
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- Acne
- Adrenal Imbalances
- Allergies
- Anxiety/Depression
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Autoimmune Conditions
- Bioidentical Hormones for Men
- Bioidentical Hormones for Women
- Bone Health
- Brain Fog
- Cardio Metabolic
- Chronic Fatigue
- Chronic Pain
- Chronic Sinusitis or Rhinitis
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Crohn’s
- Dermatologic
- Digestive Problems
- Eczema
- Emotional
- Environmental Allergies
- Fatigue/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Food Allergies
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Gynecologic
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Disease
- Headaches
- Healthy Aging and Living
- Heart Disease Prevention
- High Cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Hypothyroidism
- Insomnia
- Low Libido
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Migraines
- Mood Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neurologic
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Obesity
- Pain/Chronic Pain Syndrome
- PCOS – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Perimenopause/Menopause
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- PMS/PMDD
- Pre-Diabetes
- Psoriasis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rosacea
- Sleep Apnea
- Stress
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Ulcerative Colitis
AND MORE!!
What is Direct Pay?
Mary Wuebben Wellness is an insurance-free, direct pay, fee-for-service clinic. This means that you will be expected to pay your bill at the time of service. Our clinic is able to accept payments via cash, check, debit or credit card. We also accept Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for office visits as well as in-house lab draws and external lab (Salveo, ZRT) kits.
Do you accept HSA/Flex?
Yes. We are able to accept both HSA and Flex for any in-office purchases.
Why is your clinic insurance-free?
(See ‘Why Direct Pay?’) Health insurance is complicated.
At Mary Wuebben Wellness it is our philosophy that patients be treated based on what is needed for their health and not what is dictated by an insurance company. Keeping operating costs (and therefore patient costs) low is a priority for us. Additional staff is needed to code, bill, track insurance copays and coverages – therefore we make an effort to keep your costs transparent – you pay for the services and supplies you receive at each clinic visit.
Do you accept Medicare?
Mary Wuebben Wellness is a commercial insurance-free practice; however, as of right now, we are participating providers with Medicare Part B. We do NOT accept Medicare Replacements.
This means that Medicare Part B patients may come here for services, however, they may be adjusted based on Medicare coverage. Medicare patients do however have the option of paying out of pocket for services not covered by Medicare.
What will be the cost for a visit?
Our goal at Mary Wuebben Wellness is to make every effort to keep your health care costs low. We will be up front and transparent about our costs of care. Our current rates for in-office or telehealth visits (Effective January 1, 2024) are:
New Patient Consult: $400
General Follow-Up Visit: $200
Functional Medicine care often allows you to cut back your need for prescription medications and chronic medical care follow-up.
How much time do I get with the Provider?
For your FIRST onsite clinic visit at Mary Wuebben Wellness you will be scheduled for 45min with one of our Functional Medicine Providers (Mary Wuebben, Kate Ericson, or Catie McCulley) reviewing your current healthcare situation. Most follow-up appointments will be allotted 30 minutes. How much time did you spend with your healthcare provider at your last standard clinic visit?
What will happen at my first clinic visit?
Your first visit to Mary Wuebben Wellness will consist of 45 minutes of time with one of our three providers as they listen to your health care priorities and dig into your health history. Your information will be gathered and organized during this conversation and by the end of your visit your provider and you will come up with a plan for moving forward on your wellness journey. Lab testing, supplements, medication and lifestyle changes will be recommended and we will discuss the important details of your care plan.
What can I expect related to follow-up visits?
Follow-up visits are scheduled per individual patient needs but are often recommended at 2-3 month intervals initially. Most follow-up visits are scheduled for 30 minutes, and as your health improves, your recommendations, treatments, and follow-ups will evolve to meet your current needs. Individualized care is a priority at Mary Wuebben Wellness.
How long until I see improvement?
Every patient is different, however, it is likely that over time, if faithful to your functional medicine recommendations, you will require fewer visits and your overhead medical costs will be reduced. Here at Mary Wuebben Wellness we consider helping you graduate from the need for frequent appointments a triumph. However, we are also here to help you with acute needs as well!
Should I keep my primary healthcare provider?
Mary Wuebben Wellness believes that the patient relationship is sacred, and being able to provide primary healthcare for you is something we are more than happy to do for you in order to keep continuity of care. However, if you have acute needs that you would like run through your insurance, it may be beneficial to keep a relationship with your current primary care provider as well.
How can I order supplements?
Mary Wuebben Wellness offers supplements through Restorative Formulations (a highly recommended doctor-formulated supplement brand) as well as our personalized online supplement dispensary, Wellevate, which offers a wide variety of high-quality brands. In addition, we also recommend locally owned establishments during office visits.
Supplements ordered from either Restorative Formulations or Wellevate can ship directly to your home. An iOS/Android application is also available through Wellevate that offers easy options for re-ordering via scanning your supplement barcode. Search the 'App Store' on your phone for 'Wellevate'.