Frequently Asked Questions

Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, Functional Medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional Medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, Functional Medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for each individual.

Functional Medicine incorporates the latest in genetic science, systems biology, and understanding of how environmental and lifestyle factors influence the emergence and progression of disease.
Functional Medicine enables physicians and other health professionals to practice proactive, predictive, personalized medicine and empowers patients to take an active role in their own health.

Functional Medicine helps clinicians reintegrate the art and science of medicine. The art of medicine is the therapeutic partnership that is established between the clinician and patient. This partnership engages the whole person: the heart, mind, and spirit. It encourages moments of deep insight that contribute to more comprehensive answers to complex medical problems.

A patient visiting a Functional Medicine practitioner can expect to spend considerable time in the clinician’s office. The clinician must not only collect information about the contributing factors of the present health problem, but develop a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s daily living habits, prior illnesses and traumas, environmental exposures, and genetic influences.

Because every person is different, interventions are individualized and unique. Two people with the same diagnosed condition often have completely different underlying causes. One person’s depression or diabetes is not necessarily the same as another’s (one disease, many causes). Or, a single trigger (e.g. a food sensitivity) may produce varying symptoms in different individuals (one cause, many diseases). Functional Medicine treats the root causes of illness, not just the symptoms. Treatment recommendations may include diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, stress management tools, detoxification support, natural supplements, and, when necessary, prescription medications. Throughout, the patient remains an active partner, working together with the Functional Medicine practitioner who leads the way to improve the patient’s health and changing the outcome of underlying processes possibly leading to disease.

Our practice does not accept any form of insurance.
We will provide you with a detailed billing summary on the date of your scheduled in-office or video/telemedicine appointment that you may submit to your insurance for reimbursement.
We will not submit a medical claim to any insurance on your behalf.
We cannot assist you with claim resolution for our services.
The cost of any services provided by us will be billed to you directly.
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You will be communicating to Dr. Saringer and her care team only through the telehealth platform Spruce Health and the patient portal app Elation Passport. Due to the high number of electronic communications, in order for you to receive a response in a timely manner, questions for Dr. Saringer should be brief, concise and ideally be answerable with a “yes” or “no”.

Messages should be quick questions limited to:

  • Questions about medication, supplement, or diagnostic test recommended by the doctor.
  • requests to refill a medication or supplement prescription
  • possible side effects of a treatment
  • notes concerning scheduling, canceling or changing an appointment

If you have questions or concerns that require more time and attention including health issues not discussed at a previous appointment, questions that require chart or lab review, or any any other questions that require more than a few minutes to answer -you will be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. Saringer. This appointment can be in-person or through telemedicine. We do not prefer phone session since it is not HIPPA compliant and cannot be recorded to your permanent Health record.

We have a 24-hour cancellation policy for all appointments with Dr. Saringer, and with the health coach. Cancelling within 24-hours will result in a $75 charge to the credit card on file.
No-shows: If you do not show up to an in-office, video/telemedicine appointment without notifying the provider you have an appointment with either via email, phone message or by changing the appointment using the patient portal messaging – you will be charged $150 to the card on file.