FAQ

An integrative model of medicine is one that draws upon multiple medical knowledge bases: from allopathic medical practice and from complementary and alternative medical (CAM) practices. The integrative model expands a doctor’s or therapist’s so-called toolbox of options from which to choose for a patient.

Functional medicine is a systems-based approach to treating illness that focuses on identifying the root cause of a patient’s presenting problem. Our doctors apply this model to treat our patients’ mental health by looking at not only psychological factors that may be impactful, but also by taking a clinical history and physical examination, measuring inflammation, examining food sensitivities, and considering genetic factors. 

There is common ground between integrative medicine and functional medicine. Our philosophy is that both should be practiced with the following approaches to care:

• Collaborative. A patient’s care team starts with the practitioner and the patient, but may also expand to include family members, other medical practitioners, and therapists. The care team can be as small or big as the patient wants.
• Holistic. We look at body, mind, spirit and community factors that may influence the manifestation of illness.
• Evidence-based: Our providers make their recommendations to patients by drawing upon their clinical experience, incorporating patient values, and consulting the best available research information.
• Individualized. While there are accepted health guidelines and recommendations to follow, there is no a “one size fits all” approach to healthcare. We aim to discover what will work best for a patient at a personalized level.

South Florida Integrative Medicine works under a “fee for service” practice model. This means, that the established fee for the appointment is due at the time the appointment occurs, payable in full by the patient or the patient’s Financially Responsible Party. We do not bill a patient’s insurance for any part of the cost for their services at our practice.

A patient may submit a detailed receipt (called a “Superbill”), provided by our practice upon request following the appointment, directly to their insurance company for potential financial reimbursement under the terms of their available mental health insurance benefits. We encourage all our patients who plan to submit Superbills for reimbursement to understand their insurance benefits in advance of their first appointment. Services rendered by student intern or practicum providers and non-licensed providers such as Coaches are not reimbursable by insurance companies.

In 2019, our owners established SFIM II, an adjacent clinic of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners. The nurse practitioners who work with that practice do accept some health insurances: currently, Cigna, Aetna, and UnitedHealthCare. 

If you live outside of our area, but live in a state in which which our providers are licensed to see patients, you may have visits with our providers via Telemedicine or come to our office for in-person visits. Covid-19 pandemic waivers that were put into place for therapists and doctors by state governments to deliver therapy and consultation services to patients across state lines have expired. Our medical doctors may only prescribe medications in states in which they are licensed. Our doctors and therapists are licensed to provider care in the State of Florida. If you live outside of the State of Florida, please ask our New Patient Coordinator if a provider who you want to see is licensed to provide care in your state of residence.