New Patient Information
Everything you need to know before your first appointment at Functional Medicine Collaborative.
Welcome to Functional Medicine Collaborative! We want you to feel informed and prepared as you begin your care with us.
This page provides an overview of our appointment scheduling, fees, insurance policies, laboratory testing, and patient communication guidelines.
Whether you're visiting us in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or virtually, we encourage you to review this information before scheduling your first appointment.
Getting Started as a New Patient
At Functional Medicine Collaborative, we want the process of beginning care to be as straightforward as possible.
Scheduling Your First Appointment
Appointments may be scheduled by contacting our office or through our online scheduling system when available. Our team can help you determine which practitioner and appointment type may be appropriate for your needs.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Please complete all required intake forms before your scheduled visit. Arrive on time for in-person appointments, as late arrivals may result in a shortened appointment or the need to reschedule.
Virtual Appointments
Telehealth appointments are available for certain services, depending on the practitioner and appointment type. Please plan to attend your virtual visit from a private location with a reliable internet connection.
Scheduling Follow-Up Visits
We encourage patients to schedule follow-up appointments in advance to maintain continuity of care. Some practitioners may book several weeks ahead, so planning ahead is recommended.
Appointment Fees and Insurance
Functional Medicine Collaborative is a self-pay practice and does not accept health insurance. Payment is generally expected at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made.
Appointment Fees
Appointment fees vary depending on the practitioner, appointment type, and length of visit. Please review our Practitioner Fee Schedule or contact our office for current pricing.
Insurance Reimbursement & Superbills
Although we do not bill insurance directly for appointments, some patients may be eligible for out-of-network reimbursement depending on their insurance plan.
Upon request, our office can provide a superbill, which is an itemized receipt containing information your insurance company may need to process a reimbursement claim.
Patients are responsible for submitting superbills to their insurance company and verifying their out-of-network benefits. Reimbursement is not guaranteed.
Additional Costs
Laboratory testing, specialty testing, supplements, and certain treatments may involve additional costs beyond your appointment fee. Your practitioner can discuss recommended services and testing options with you.
Laboratory Testing & Additional Costs
Your practitioner may recommend laboratory testing to help evaluate your health concerns. Testing costs are separate from appointment fees, and insurance coverage varies depending on the laboratory, the tests ordered, and your individual insurance plan.
Quest Diagnostics Testing
Before having blood drawn at Quest Diagnostics, please ask the laboratory staff to review your orders and identify any tests that may not be covered by your insurance.
You may choose to decline specific tests that are not covered. If you do, please notify our office.
In some cases, Functional Medicine Collaborative can offer lower direct-pay pricing for uncovered tests without adding a markup or additional fees. Please contact our office before paying out of pocket so we can review your options.
Final insurance coverage is determined by your insurance company.
Some specialized tests are performed through independent laboratories rather than Quest Diagnostics.
Certain specialty laboratories bill insurance, while others require direct payment. Most specialty tests require payment before testing can be completed.
Patients are responsible for confirming insurance coverage, payment requirements, and potential out-of-pocket expenses directly with the laboratory.
Specialty Lab Blood Draw Fees
Some specialty tests require blood collection through a designated phlebotomist or approved collection service. These services may charge an additional fee separate from the laboratory testing cost.
Our office can provide information about recommended blood draw locations and collection requirements.
At-Home Testing Kits
If your practitioner orders an at-home testing kit, please follow the laboratory's collection, preparation, and shipping instructions carefully to help avoid delays or repeat testing.
Scheduling & Cancellation Policies
We understand that schedules sometimes change. To help us accommodate patients and maintain appointment availability, please review the following policies.
New Patient Appointment Cancellations & Rescheduling
We require at least 7 days' notice when canceling or rescheduling a new patient appointment.
Appointments canceled or rescheduled with less than seven days' notice may be subject to a cancellation fee in accordance with our practice policy.
Follow-Up Appointment Cancellations & Rescheduling
For most follow-up appointments, we require at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling.
Cancellation requirements may vary depending on the practitioner or appointment type. Any applicable cancellation fees will be communicated when scheduling.
Arriving for Your Appointment
Please arrive on time and complete all required paperwork before your scheduled visit. Late arrivals may result in a shortened appointment or the need to reschedule.
Planning Ahead
We recommend scheduling follow-up appointments in advance, as some practitioners book several weeks ahead.
Patient Portal & Communication
Functional Medicine Collaborative uses the CharmHealth patient portal to help patients manage their care and communicate with our office.
Using Your Patient Portal
Through CharmHealth, patients can access available medical records, review laboratory results, complete required forms, and send messages to our office.
Messaging Your Practitioner
Portal messaging is intended for brief, nonurgent questions and communication.
Complex medical concerns, new symptoms, treatment changes, or questions requiring a detailed review of your medical history may require an appointment.
Laboratory results are not interpreted through portal messages and generally require a follow-up appointment.
Message Response Times
Please allow up to 2 business days for a response to nonurgent portal messages.
Messages are reviewed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Requests received outside business hours will be addressed beginning the next business day.
Some requests may require additional time or a scheduled appointment to resolve.
Urgent Medical Concerns
Our patient portal is not continuously monitored and should not be used for urgent or emergency medical concerns.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care.
Lab Results, Follow-Up Appointments & Prescription Refills
Reviewing Laboratory Results
Laboratory results may become available in your CharmHealth patient portal before your practitioner has reviewed them.
In nearly all cases, a follow-up appointment is required to review laboratory findings, discuss their significance, answer questions, and determine whether changes to your treatment plan are necessary.
Laboratory results are not reviewed or interpreted through portal messages. Please contact our office to schedule an appropriate follow-up appointment.
If your results require urgent attention, our office will contact you as appropriate.
Prescription Refill Requests
Prescription refills should be requested directly from your prescribing practitioner through the CharmHealth patient portal.
Please include the medication name, dosage, and preferred pharmacy.
We ask that you submit refill requests at least 3 business days before running out of medication to allow adequate processing time.
Compounded prescriptions that require shipping may take up to one week to refill.
Certain medications may require a follow-up appointment or additional monitoring before a refill can be authorized.
Preparing for Follow-Up Appointments
Please complete your follow-up questionnaire through the CharmHealth patient portal before each appointment.
Be sure to update your medication and supplement lists, including changes in dosage, newly added products, or anything you have discontinued.
This helps your practitioner review your progress and prepare for your visit.
Ready to Get Started?
We look forward to helping you take the next step in your healthcare journey.
If you're considering becoming a patient at Functional Medicine Collaborative, we encourage you to schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation. Our team can answer general questions about our services, help you understand our approach, and determine which practitioner may be the best fit for your needs.
We welcome patients at our South Dennis and Hingham, Massachusetts, and Johnston, Rhode Island locations, with virtual appointments available when appropriate.
Have additional questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact our office for assistance.