Frequently Asked Questions:

1) Can you be my primary care doctor?

The WholeNP provides concierge-style functional and lifestyle medicine care. We do not participate in insurance plans and do not bill insurance directly. Many of our patients choose us when they are seeking a more preventive and personalized approach, easier access to care, shorter wait times, and a collaborative relationship with their provider. We recommend maintaining a relationship with a traditional primary care provider for routine preventive screenings such as Pap smears, colonoscopies, and breast exams. Additionally, some insurance policies—particularly HMOs—require you to designate an in-network PCP to access referrals and diagnostic services. Because we are not in-network with insurance providers, we cannot facilitate these referrals or fulfill PCP requirements for certain plans. That said, we are fully committed to collaborating with your PCP and any specialists involved in your care to ensure comprehensive, coordinated support. I believe a team-based approach is essential for optimizing long-term health, and my goal is to support you throughout your wellness journey.

2) Are specialty labs required?

Laboratory testing plays a vital role in providing personalized and effective functional medicine. During your initial consultation, lab work is typically recommended to assess key aspects of your health and help guide your treatment plan. If your first appointment is in person, we often collect labs on-site to give timely insights at your follow-up visit. We collaborate with Quest Diagnostics and Cleveland HeartLab for standard tests, offering options for in-office collection, local lab visits, or mobile draws when suitable. For self-pay patients, we partner with affordable lab providers like Access Labs and offer access to comprehensive health screening through platforms such as Function Health. Specialty functional labs are not necessary for every patient but may be recommended when clinically appropriate. We usually work with Genova Diagnostics for detailed analysis of gut health, nutrients, environmental toxins, and more, but we always review the purpose, cost, and clinical relevance before proceeding. Additionally, we provide genetic and precision medicine testing through partnerships with labs like Exact Sciences and Galleri, which give insights into inherited risks and DNA-based markers.

Labs we may recommend include:

• Cardiac Markers (Expanded Lipid Panel, Lipoprotein(a), Apolipoprotein B, LDL particle sizes)

• Thyroid Panel (e.g., TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Thyroid Antibodies, zinc, iodine, selenium)

• Immune Regulation (e.g., ANA, Rheumatoid Factor, WBC count, Lyme Panel, EBV Markers)

• Hormonal Health Labs (e.g., Testosterone, Estradiol, Cortisol, DHEA-Sulfate, SHBG, FSH, LH)

• Metabolic Health (e.g., Glucose, Hemoglobin A1c, Insulin, C-Peptide)

• Nutrient Panel (e.g., Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio, Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium, Iron Panel)

• Liver & Renal Health (e.g., AST, ALT, Creatinine, BUN, eGFR)

• Pancreatic Health (e.g., Amylase, Lipase)

• Heavy Metal Testing (e.g., Lead, Mercury, Arsenic)

• Food/Respiratory Allergies (Celiac, Food allergy IgE/IgG), Mold Panel

Additional testing may include stool analysis for microbiome evaluation, SIBO testing, allergy and food sensitivity testing, celiac panels, and more, as necessary for your health concerns.

3) Are supplements always required?

The decision to recommend supplements is based on a comprehensive assessment of your health—this includes your medical history, current symptoms, lab results, and lifestyle factors. Our primary goal is to address root causes through nutrition, lifestyle, and behavioral strategies. Supplements may be recommended when specific nutrient deficiencies are found or if targeted support can enhance the body’s healing process. All suggestions, including dosages and duration, are customized to your needs and monitored carefully for safety and effectiveness. We provide a professional-grade supplement dispensary through Fullscript, where members receive exclusive discounts on high-quality, third-party tested products. Additionally, we have access to at-cost prescriptions from trusted compounding pharmacies, along with carefully selected IV therapy options when appropriate. Our objective is to ensure any supplemental support aligns with your care plan, is evidence-based, and genuinely promotes your long-term wellness.