FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes, No, and Maybe. Clear as mud, right? Yes - Lab work is often covered by insurance. No - Virtual appointments are not able to be billed to insurance at this time. I am able to provide a Superbill for you to submit to insurance for reimbursement, though. Virtual appointments are also FSA and HSA eligible. Maybe - Prescription GLP-1 medication might be covered by your insurance. Read on for further details. In general, if you want to know if your insurance covers any of the weight loss medications, the best thing is for me to prescribe them to your pharmacy and go from there. You can always call your insurance and ask if they cover GLP-1 medications, but if you do not have diabetes, you should inform them that you are using these medications for weight loss, as often this changes their answer about whether this class of medications is “covered.” After I prescribe the medication, sometimes there is paperwork to be done (called a “prior authorization”), and sometimes we get a flat-out denial. Sometimes the medications are “covered,” but the co-pay is literally still hundreds of dollars (as in $500-$1500). Occasionally, the medication is covered and the co-pay is only $25! There are truly multiple ways this can play out with insurance. Luckily, it is my job to handle the paperwork - I just ask for your patience as I navigate this for you. I promise to keep you as updated as I am. Eventually, we will get an answer, and get on with treatment!

I only use the newest anti-obesity medications, which is a drug class called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Brand names of these GLP-1 medications are Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Trulicity.

This is actually one of the main reasons I started this company! The stark reality is that more than half of the time, these medications are NOT covered by insurance )excuse me while I scream into the void about how backwards this is.) If this happens, we can still get you medication from a local, trusted pharmacy. Please book a free consult to find out more about this option.

Boy, if I had a nickel for every time I was asked this question. It’s a great question, and honestly, it is best answered in person, as medical treatment is by necessity a highly individualized process. I strongly urge you to schedule a Free Consult so we can go over the safety parameters of the GLP-1 class of medications. That said, generally speaking, people with the following medical history should NOT use GLP-1 medications: active substance abuse active eating disorder (e.g., anorexia or bulimia) type 1 diabetes cancer recent bariatric surgery (within the past 18 months) active gallbladder disease history of pancreatitis in the past six months history of medullary thyroid cancer (MEN syndrome) women who are pregnant, actively trying for pregnancy or breastfeeding

This is a great question that I get all the time. Most people need at least 3 months to achieve a minimum health goal - usually a number on the scale, or a pant size. For patients who have more than roughly 15 lbs to lose, this “minimum health goal” usually extends out closer to 6-9 months or beyond. This timeframe is also more realistic if you are looking to truly make a difference in your metabolic health, not simply fitting into your skinny jeans again. Remember, the other half of this program, beyond the weight loss, is to keep it off and improve your overall health. We will accomplish this by addressing your underlying dietary lifestyle and eating habits. How long is that going to take? Usually longer than 3 months, in my experience working with patients. But don’t worry - you have access to me during our monthly visits, as well as via email and our online patient portal. You will be supported via direct education, recommendations personally tailored to you, and easy-to-digest (pun intended!) handouts.

Absolutely not! Treatment is on a month-to-month basis, so as long as you want treatment, you simply just pay for another month. Stop at any time.

Your monthly payment covers your virtual visit with me, which includes medication titration and dose-tolerance assessment, as well as nutrition counseling and resources (meal plans, recipes, education materials, etc.). If we are using insurance to cover your medication, that cost is separate and is paid directly to your pharmacy as you normally would pay for medications. If we are not using insurance, the cost of your medication (and any necessary supplies) is also separate but is billed through the clinic. It is a separate receipt from your virtual visit, for easy record-keeping. The cost of medication varies by dose. Please feel free to send me an email, or book a free consultation if you have further questions about payment.

Many people like to begin with a free consultation to have their specific questions answered, while others are ready to begin right away and book a New Patient visit first. The choice is yours! Please keep in mind though, that I do not give personal medical advice during Free Consults. These are information-only visits, mostly for logistical questions and getting to know my approach to weight loss and metabolic health. If you have already done your research and are ready to get started, you can do so in 3 easy steps: Schedule your online appointment (New Patient Weight Loss #1), Finish setting up your online patient portal account, and Complete the new patient paperwork. That’s it! You will be emailed instructions on how to finish your online patient portal account setup after you book your New Patient appointment. Inside the patient portal, you can complete your new patient paperwork, and then you’re all set!

New Patient visits are split into 2 appointments, as there is a LOT to go over. During our first appointment, we will go over your new patient intake paperwork, taking a deep dive into your medical, weight, and dietary lifestyle history. We will also go over everything you need to know about GLP-1 medications (who they’re for and who they’re not, why they’re safe, how they work, common side effects, and dose titration schedule), and I will answer any remaining questions you may have. I will also order lab work if you have not had blood work done recently (roughly within the past 6 months). Finally, I will send your prescription to your preferred pharmacy to check for possible coverage by your insurance company. At our second New Patient appointment, we will go over your lab work results in detail (not simply “you’re fine/not fine,” but what those numbers mean, why they’re important, and what optimal levels are). By this visit, we should also know which medication insurance will cover. We will go over specific administration instructions, common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and all of my best pro-tips. Some people like to give themselves their first dose during this 2nd appointment while I am there to walk you through it (it is very easy, but it’s always nice to have an expert with you the first time you do something new!), but this is not mandatory - up to you! If insurance does not cover any of the GLP-1 medications, we will discuss how you can still obtain a GLP-1 medication. Please know that even if insurance says no, you are not out of options!

No! Our medical office is 100%, completely virtual. This means that ALL appointments are held remotely via our HIPAA-compliant patient portal, which uses Zoom for all telemedicine visits. This is how we can serve the entire state of Washington, with other states likely to be added in the future!