FAQ

We do not contract with insurance companies, Medicaid or Medicare. Therefore, we cannot bill your insurance company or accept insurance as a form of payment. We will provide you with the necessary paperwork to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement for your treatments. Coverage varies depending on your insurance plan and we cannot guarantee that you will receive any reimbursement. Medicare generally does not cover any naturopathic or ‘alternative’ health care services.

Because your immune system never “forgets” a target, autoimmune conditions cannot be cured. What we can help you achieve is remission of your disease. This means that your immune system stops attacking your body so that you can heal your tissues, live without symptoms and regain your quality of life. It is important to know that autoimmune disease symptoms can return in the future, even if you’ve been in remission for a long time. We will work with you to reduce the likelihood of future flare-ups, but there are no guarantees in medicine.

We cannot guarantee that you will achieve any positive results. Recovery depends on many factors such as your diagnosis, how long you’ve been sick and the complexity of your case. Some people have a genetic predisposition that makes healing more difficult. Nutrient deficiencies, environmental toxicities or a history of infections are other obstacles that can prolong a person’s sickness. Another important factor is your ability to commit to your treatment plan and make the necessary lifestyle changes. Many people notice better digestion, more energy and better sleep within weeks. Other symptoms can take longer to go away. Some patients go into remission after a few months, but others need one year or more. It is important to remember that your illness did not develop overnight and that real healing takes time. We will discuss your follow-up plan with you and set realistic expectations for a treatment timeline.

In the State of Colorado, we cannot prescribe or discontinue prescription medications for our patients. As your health improves, you may require a smaller dose of your medications or be able to discontinue them altogether under the guidance of your prescribing physician. Some people may need to remain on their medications depending on their condition. With your permission, we will collaborate with your physician to manage your care.

Yes. Even though there are many interactions between medications, herbs, nutrients and lifestyle changes, we are thoroughly trained to understand these interactions. We carefully review your medical history and all of the medications you are taking before selecting treatments for you.

Naturopathy is a system of medicine that prioritizes natural, non-invasive therapies to treat the root causes of disease. Homeopathy is a separate, distinct system of medicine that uses highly-diluted substances called remedies to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. Naturopathic doctors are trained in the use of homeopathy as a natural therapy.

Both ND’s and MD’s attend a 4-year, accredited post-graduate medical school. They receive nearly identical training in the basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, histology, genomics, biochemistry, pathology, immunology and microbiology.

Just like MD’s, naturopathic doctors are trained in clinical sciences such as pharmacology, gastroenterology, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, gynecology, psychiatry, dermatology and minor surgery, plus all aspects of diagnosis using labs, imaging (x-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound) and physical examination.

A naturopathic doctor completes an internship with over 1,100 hours of patient care and takes rigorous two-part board exams to become licensed or registered by a state or Canadian province. Some naturopathic doctors obtain board certification in the areas of oncology, endocrinology, pediatrics or other specializations.

ND’s speak and understand the language of conventional medicine, but they have a broader set of tools and insights to offer their patients. Naturopathic medical education places a greater emphasis on healthy lifestyles, natural therapies and disease prevention, and less emphasis on pharmaceutical therapy. ND’s also learn therapies such as Chinese medicine, physical medicine, counseling and homeopathy. Conventional medical school curriculum is based heavily on drug or surgery treatments, with few or no courses offered in nutrition or botanical medicine.

Where ND’s differ greatly from MD’s is in their philosophy and treatment approach. Naturopathic doctors correct the underlying disturbances that are contributing to a person’s illness rather than only suppressing symptoms. ND’s prioritize gentle, non-invasive therapies first and use drug treatments or surgery referrals only when necessary. Prevention is paramount to naturopathic practice; instead of waiting for disease to surface, ND’s work to intervene before it happens. Naturopathic doctors are known for spending a considerable amount of time with their patients, which is in contrast to the short appointments that are common in the conventional setting.

With all of their similarities and differences, both conventional and naturopathic medicine play important roles in our health care system, and both have strengths and limitations.

In the State of Colorado, naturopathic doctors are not licensed as primary care physicians, but rather complementary care providers. Therefore we recommend that you maintain a relationship with your personal physician or other licensed primary care provider for your basic health care needs.

We treat adults and childer ages 12 and older. We recommend that you maintain a relationship with a licensed physician or pediatric health care provider to oversee your child’s primary health care needs.

We recognize that many people who seek our help do not live in Colorado, and we want to help as many people as possible. We are happy to offer online consultations through our secure patient portal.