Frequently Asked Questions
Functional Medicine Practice FAQs
Where are you located?
We are 100% ONLINE. We meet with patients via video consultations. Our patients appreciate the convenience, efficiency and flexibility of our virtual visits. No more commute, no more waiting rooms, and you can keep us even if you move!
For out-of-state clients there are some differences in how we offer our services, depending on where you are located, due to telemedicine regulations. These differences can be discussed during your free exploratory call. We have clients from all over the US and from different countries and we are able to navigate these regulations with ease.
How much does it cost to be a patient?
Dr. Beard has made it her ministry to make Functional Medicine more affordable and accessible. Even though her credentials are among the top tier of all Functional Medicine Physicians nationwide, she has chosen to charge much less than she could. Her first appointment is $300 compared to over $1000 with many other comparably credentialed clinics. And she never upcharges labs, which can save you hundreds, sometimes over a thousand dollars.
With that said, this is still a major investment since it is not covered by insurance. But this is an investment. Solving the root causes of your health issues instead of masking symptoms will save you money over the long and greatly improve the quality of your life.
While cost varies from client to client, most of our clients spend $1,800- $3,000 with us over the course of six months, including the cost of visits, supplementation, and labs. Clients with complex conditions requiring longer-term support, multiple specialty labs, and advanced protocols may spend more over time.
Do you accept insurance?
Our practice is insurance free. Every dollar goes to your care, nothing is lost in the third party payer system. We know it can be disappointing that we won’t accept your insurance, many of our clients felt the same way at first. Now they enjoy the peace of mind knowing exactly what their care will cost upfront. They also get exactly what they need as they are not limited by what insurance says they need or don’t need.
Many health savings accounts will cover our consultation fees and services. You may use your HSA or FSA for any of our services.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for your services?
Yes, however each HSA and FSA has different requirements for reimbursement. Please discuss requirements with them in advance. We do not provide additional documentation beyond receipts.
I am interested in becoming a patient, where do I start?
Book a free Exploratory Call using this link: https://amybeardmdscheduling.as.me/freeexploratorycall
Can your clinic be my primary care provider?
Unfortunately, no. We are an extension of your current health team. We encourage all of our patients to have a PCP.
Do you work with my current health care providers? Do you review my records from other providers?
We are happy to share our health records with other providers of your healthcare team upon your request. You can also release your medical records from other doctors/ clinics/ hospitals for our clinic to review. Please discuss which records are appropriate to send during your exploratory call or initial consultation.
How is your staff trained in Functional Medicine?
Dr. Beard is a certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with the Institute for Functional Medicine. She is also a Board Certified Medical Doctor in Family Medicine and is a Dietician. She is an experienced ER physician and Cardiac Rehab Medical Director.
Dr. Kinard is a certified Functional Medicine Practitioner with the Institute of Functional Medicine. She is a Nurse Practitioner (Doctorate in Nursing). All of our coaches have advanced degrees in health-related fields and are certified health coaches in Functional Medicine or Integrative Nutrition.
Every member of our staff is closely mentored by Dr. Beard and reviews every case with her regularly.
Can I get a recorded copy of my appointment?
Yes! We encourage it. Just hit the “record” button at the bottom of your Zoom screen and the meeting will be saved as a MP4 file on your desktop. We can help you with this feature during your appointment.
Where do I go to have my labs drawn? And how much do they cost?
We currently utilize LabCorp and Quest draw sites for standard labs. We also use a variety of companies for specialty labs that ship kits directly to you, to be completed at home and shipped back.
You might be pleasantly surprised by the cost of our labs as they are not inflated by insurance companies or marked up by a clinic.
Our team will work with you to determine which tests will provide the most valuable information for the case. We always strive to avoid unnecessary testing. With that said we have access to every lab available and if you request a lab to be performed we will always accommodate your request. Lab testing costs can vary greatly between clients. The range for standard labs is typically $80-150 (cash pricing). Specialty lab kits and panels can range from $200-$400, and sometimes these tests will need to be repeated to monitor progress.
What is your cancellation policy?
Visits may be canceled or rescheduled anytime up to 72 hours prior to your appointment. Cancellation and rescheduling requests occurring less than 72 prior to your scheduled visit will result in a charge of half the cost of the scheduled visit.