Commonly asked questions are listed below. Please feel free to reach out at admin@innateintegrativemedicine.com with any other inquiries.

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1. What is Integrative Medicine? What is Functional Medicine?

Integrative Medicine is a healing-oriented practice that takes into account the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—including all aspects of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative. Integrative medicine is informed by evidence and utilizes the most effective interventions from various medical traditions to promote optimal health and healing. The goal is to empower patients with the tools and knowledge to achieve their best possible health, whether through lifestyle changes, supplements, mind-body practices, or conventional medical treatments. It neither accepts all alternative medicine treatments nor rejects conventional medicine.

Functional medicine is a systems-based approach to healthcare that seeks to identify and address the root causes of disease. Practitioners view the body as an interconnected system, rather than focusing on a single organ or set of symptoms. By exploring the complex interactions between genetics, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors, functional medicine aims to address the underlying issues causing dysfunction. Treatment plans are personalized and often include changes in diet, nutrition, exercise, stress management and sometimes the use of targeted supplements or medications to restore health and vitality.

These approaches complement each other in offering a holistic, patient-centered model of care. They share the philosophy of using both conventional and alternative therapies and placing an emphasis on prevention, education, and the active participation of patients in their own healing process.​​

 

2. Why would I need an Integrative Medicine Doctor?

Many patients who use alternative therapies are also using conventional medical care, and they seem to be looking for a physician who is truly using both modalities and keeping up to date in conventional as well as alternative medicine. See our conditions treated section

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3. Can you be my PCP?  

As a consultative integrative medicine practice our position in healthcare is to partner with our clients to help them understand the roots of their health concerns. We encourage them to maintain a relationship with a primary care doctor and often refer them back to this provider if pharmaceuticals seem like the best option or further conventional workup is suggested. Our treatment plans for patients will not interfere with their existing doctor-patient relationships and therapies. Also, we do not cover typical health maintenance procedures such as mammograms, colonoscopies, prostate exams, and acute care issues. 

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4. Do you accept health insurance?

We do not accept insurance for physician visits at this time, as most insurance companies do not cover the scope of functional and integrative medicine services. We can provide you with a "Superbill"' that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement for out of network coverage. Health insurance can be utilized for lab testing and pharmaceuticals (when appropriate). For lab testing we utilize Quest labs and Rupa health, along with others.  We can provide an estimate of your cost for labs billed to insurance through Quest, however as this is an estimate, the cost is not guaranteed. We encourage patients to check with their insurance companies about coverage for labs and pharmaceuticals so there are no surprise bills. A commonly used option for payment is an FSA/HSA fund, which could be utilized for your visit and/or lab costs.

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5. What should I expect?

All patients start with a discovery call to see if working with us is a good fit for you, and what your health goals are. After this you will receive a link to sign up for an initial foundational (intake) visit, which is an in depth look at your personal and family health history, current practices, and concerns you may have. We will discuss any testing you may need and compose an initial plan of action together. After your testing is completed/resulted and you have started to implement some of your treatment plan, we will have a follow up a few weeks later to evaluate your progress and go over any results to further tailor your plan. After this, you have the opportunity to follow up as frequently as you feel is necessary to stay on track. Typically, patients find it helpful to follow up every 1-3 months for the first year.

 

6. What kind of lab testing do you offer?

We ask that if you have had any recent bloodwork in the last 3-6 months, to upload this to your patient portal. Once we have reviewed your existing labs during your initial visit, we will check a personalized set of lab tests as a starting point. On subsequent follow ups, we may utilize more advanced functional testing to uncover potential root causes and help direct a preventative medicine approach based on individualized data (GI-Mapping, Nutra-eval, genetic testing, micronutrient testing, cardiometabolic labs, biologic age testing, and many others). The depth of which we dive into labs differs for each patient and is based on many different factors which we can discuss during your visit.​

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7. Do you offer virtual appointments?

We offer completely HIPAA-compliant virtual appointments. We see clients primarily through telehealth, with the option to be seen in person as well. You don't have to take a day off work, drive, or even leave your home. Whether you’re in Dallas or anywhere else in Texas, we can meet with you remotely to provide the care and guidance you need.

 

8. What is the intake health questionnaire, and why is it so detailed?

The intake form is designed to be comprehensive because we take a holistic approach to health. We want to understand not just your symptoms but your entire health history, lifestyle, and even stressors you may not have considered. This helps to get to the root cause of your concerns. You’ll need to submit it prior to your initial foundational visit.

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9. Do I need a diagnosis before seeing you?

No, you do not need a formal diagnosis. By the time conditions like diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and dementia are diagnosed, there's usually 10-15 years of progression beforehand that goes unnoticed. My goal is to help you uncover the root cause of your symptoms, whether you already have a diagnosis or are seeking clarity on what is going on with your health, preventative care, understanding your risks, or simply optimizing your health. Patients often say, "I did not know how bad I was feeling until I started feeling good"!!

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10. Do you prescribe medications for weight loss?

While the primary focus is optimizing lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, detox, mindfulness, and addressing deficiencies, in certain select situations, we may prescribe pharmaceuticals to help with weight loss. These medications could include semaglutide/exenatide. Patients are required to commit to pre/post body composition testing (such as DEXA scanning) and regular follow ups with Dr. Shah to ensure nutritional needs and muscle mass are maintained and any side effects are managed appropriately. 

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11. How much should I expect to spend?

We will always be transparent with pricing. The initial foundational (60-90 minutes)/follow up (30 minutes) visit package with Dr. Shah is $600. Follow up visits after the initial foundational/follow up visits are $250 and are approximately 30-45 minutes long. Lab testing, body composition testing, supplements, and wearables are not included in this price. We can discuss this further during your discovery call. We will always try to forward any discounts for your supplements/testing when offered by our suppliers. Visit the Pricing page for more information

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12. How do I access my patient information, lab results, and visit summaries?

We currently utilize Healthie as our electronic medical record and for scheduling. You will have access to a secure patient portal which you can log in to anytime to view your notes, labs, billing. You can also directly message your provider through this portal.

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13. Where can I learn more?​

Message us at 214-308-5983, email admin@innateintegrativemedicine.com, or visit our         for more information