May I Line Up A New Patient Appointment Without A Referral?

Yes, though we’re happy to work with any referring physicians.

Are You Covered By Insurance?

We do not accept any health insurance at this time as most insurance companies do not provide coverage for functional medicine services. Even though we don't have contractual agreements with health insurance companies, many of the tests we ask for may be covered by your particular healthcare plan. To better understand the underlying cause of your symptoms and how to best assist you in optimizing your health, our medical professionals advise a range of tests. Unfortunately, a lot of the exams and services that our providers advise are deemed "not standard" and are not covered by insurance. Please check with your insurance provider to determine coverage before receiving services if this is essential to you. We can provide documentation for you to submit upon your request. Please be aware, we will not consult with any insurance company on services, tests or procedures not covered or rendered; however we will be happy to provide a Superbill that you may submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.

Additionally, while some of the tests we request must be paid for at the time of ordering, other tests are invoiced to you by the outside laboratory conducting the test. Some tests can be obtained from our office or through an independent laboratory conducting the examination(s). For any tests we order, you may be charged a specimen collection and handling fee. We believe in full transparency at Apostol IFM and will ensure you are educated about your care from start to finish.

How Much Do Visits Cost?

The cost of the visit will vary between patients. Cost is based on time spent with the physician and any additional testing or procedures to be performed. We believe in full transparency and will always share with you costs upfront.

Do I Need A Diagnosis Before I Come To You?

No. We use a holistic medicine approach to provide comprehensive diagnostics as part of our new-patient intake. To provide the most complete diagnostics, Apostol IFM works with multiple diagnostic labs and outsources complex imaging services.

What Should I Expect At My First Visit?

After completing your intake paperwork, you’ll be scheduled for a visit with our physician. This visit can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour at your discretion. Dr. Apostol will review with you your medical concerns and medical history to come up with a therapeutic plan to help you on your health journey. Testing is often recommended depending on your specific symptoms and will be discussed with you prior to the end of the visit.

The Intake Health Questionnaires Seems Longer Than Most, Is There A Reason For That?

The first thing you’ll notice about our intake forms is that they are a lot more detailed than any other intake forms you’ve probably completed for conventional clinics. Because we use a functional medicine approach, we ask about your current symptoms, risk factors, and stressors you may have never thought of — including lifestyle factors that affected you years ago.

This depth of inquiry is crucial for us to understand who you are and to determine your true root causes. From there, we can develop a personalized functional medicine treatment approach. Your honest and thorough replies translate into far more effective treatment.

How Long Should I Set Aside To Fill Out The Initial Health Questionnaire?

Most patients take between 30 minutes and 1 hour to complete the questionnaires. There are multiple forms for you to fill out in order to get as much information as possible. All of our forms are conveniently located in the portal for you to fill out at your own pace. Please be aware, all forms will need to filled out prior to scheduling an appointment.

Do You Meet With Patients Remotely (Distance Medicine/Telemedicine)?

We can provide remote consultations via phone and email, but only as follow-up to an in-person, new-client intake meeting. Since functional medicine depends on establishing face-to-face rapport and a comprehensive physical examination, our in-person meetings are a crucial aspect of your treatment.

Do You Prescribe Pharmaceutical Medications?

Yes, though not as a first line of treatment. Our focus on integrative medicine allows us to look for root causes first and focus on powerful nutritive and lifestyle changes. We then prescribe pharmaceutical medications when appropriate.

Do You Sell Nutritional Supplements?

Yes! As our permanent location is back up and running, we regularly restock supplements for purchase in-house! We also use our online dispensary, Fullscript, where supplements can be purchased online and shipped to your door.

Can Dr. Apostol Be My Primary Care Doctor?

Dr. Apostol is happy to serve as a patient’s primary care doctor and we do offer some urgent care needs such as acute sick visits, flu testing, strep testing, UTI testing, COVID testing and more. Dr. Apostol is board certified in Family Medicine and practiced primary care before practicing Functional Medicine. We are not available after hours and do not have any hospital privileges at this time; however, Dr. Apostol is always happy to coordinate care with other specialists.

Can You Serve As My Child’s Pediatrician?

Dr. Apostol prefers that you maintain your relationship with your pediatrician and will be happy to consult on a case by case basis on complex health issues.

Can Tabatha Be My Primary Care Provider?

Yes, Tabatha is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and can see clients of all ages. She can provide primary care services as well as urgent/sick visits. She consults with Dr. Apostol regularly and coordinates with specialists when indicated.

How Do I Access My Patient Information And Treatment Notes?

You may access your treatment notes and latest lab test results anytime through our website. Click on the ‘Client Portal’ button to log in for access.

Can I Review My Latest Invoice And Billing Information Online?

You may review your latest invoice and pay your bill at any time through our website. Click on the ‘Client Portal’ button to log in for access.

Where Are My Lab Results?

Labs are automatically uploaded once results have been received. You will be notified via email when results are available for your review. Once they are posted there, you may review and download them at any time.

What Are The Benefits Of Our Client Portal?

We have partnered with a HIPPA-compliant, cloud-based service to provide a convenient online patient portal that makes it easy to handle all your medical and billing tasks during your functional medicine treatment plan. With access to the patient portal from your desktop, tablet, and smartphone, you have around-the-clock access to your health information.

Is My Health Information Secure On The Client Portal?

Yes, we ensure a secure and comprehensive platform. You will enter the portal through a HIPAA-compliant link that gives you unequaled support and protection.

How Does A Physician Become Certified In Functional Medicine?

Dr. Apostol is a board-certified physician in family medicine as well as board-certified in Integrative medicine. She is also certified as a functional medicine practitioner through the Institute of Functional Medicine, the gold standard for education, training, and clinical practice in functional medicine globally. Dr. Apostol trained for an additional 4 years after her family practice residency in Integrative and Functional Medicine.