Frequently Asked Questions
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First sign up for a Free 15-minute consultation with our Patient Care Coordinator. Click above or call (707) 999-3925.
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Once you are accepted as a patient, we will email you an invitation to our secure, online medical record system (Charm Health). Here you will be able to complete your intake forms, upload any documents and labs, and send messages to Dr. Sandra.
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If you are an established patient, request an appointment time via the Patient Portal Messaging or call and leave a message.
Do you accept insurance?
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Your health and wellness are our first priority. Our financial policy allows us to provide you with access to the best treatment available and does not limit your healthcare to what is covered by your health insurance policy. We ask for payment when scheduling an appointment. You may pay by check or credit card (preferred).
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Coastal Functional Medicine is a registered Medicare opt-out company. Our office does not bill insurance. We do not submit claims or call insurance companies directly. This is the responsibility of the patient. See full explanation under Insurance and Payment.
Why are more health care providers practicing Functional Medicine?
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Dr. Sandra and many other health care providers have realized that in order to fix our current health care crisis, we need to dig deeper and uncover the cause(s) of chronic disease. Every year there are more individuals developing diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, autoimmune disease, Alzheimer's dementia and expected to continue to climb. According to the CDC, 6 in 10 Americans live with at least one chronic disease, like heart disease, stroke, cancer or diabetes.
What medical conditions does Dr. Sandra treat?
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With her broad knowledge base, Dr. Sandra treats a wide variety of illnesses and conditions. Every patient will receive a Free 15-minute consultation to review their case with our Patient Care Coordinator and determine if Dr. Sandra can be of help to you.
Do you offer Telemedicine?
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Yes. Currently, Dr. Sandra is offering video and phone consultations only. We will email instructions to you for video-conferencing or call you at your scheduled appointment time if you prefer a phone consult.
Will you be my primary care provider?
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No. All patients are required to have a primary care provider. Dr. Sandra does have over 10 years of primary care experience, but due to the high demands of Functional Medicine, she will collaborate with your primary care provider as a specialist. This is a team approach to give you the best health care possible.
Why should I do specialized testing?
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This is a science-based practice. Labs and in some cases, imaging, are necessary in finding the root cause of your medical condition and will guide us in developing the right treatment plan for you. For instance, a metabolic test is a way to measure whether your body is getting and using the nutrients it needs to drive optimal health. Just like a car's gauges, it warns of potential problems. Early warnings can help you make diet and lifestyle changes that may both extend and enhance your quality of life. Unfortunately, conventional medicine laboratory testing is limited and may miss this opportunity to prevent disease.
What is your email policy?
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Once you are an accepted patient and registered via the Patient Portal, you will be given Dr. Sandra secure email address. We will provide you with our email policy at this time.
How to schedule an appointment?
