FAQ

We offer a wide range of healthcare services, including naturopathic pediatric and family medicine, primary care, herbal medicine, immunizations, holistic wellness support, medication management, physical medicine, diagnostic testing, preventative testing, lactation support, mental health care, and so much more.

Our team of healthcare professionals works together to provide holistic and natural healthcare solutions for you and your family. Please check our services page for more information.

A naturopathic doctor is a healthcare provider who uses a natural approach to healing, including dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and natural therapies. We work to address the root cause of health issues and strive to support the body's innate ability to heal itself rather than suppressing symptoms. Naturopathic doctors are educated and trained in accredited naturopathic medical universities. 

Yes, naturopathic physicians in Washington State are trained in pharmacology and can prescribe non-controlled medications such as antibiotics, antivirals, insulin, birth control and antidepressants. In Washington State, naturopathic physicians can also prescribe testosterone with appropriate license registration.

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Yes, naturopathic doctors can order and interpret lab work.

Eastside Natural Medicine is a preferred provider for most major insurance companies. Please contact your insurance company for questions you may have regarding your individual plan.

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Our physicians are preferred providers for most insurance carriers including:

• Aetna, Cigna, United, First Choice, Kaiser Permanente (First Choice affiliated PPO only), Lifewise, Molina**, Premera Blue Cross, Regence Blue Shield

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Note that although we may be contracted with your insurance company, this does not necessarily mean that your specific insurance plan will cover visits at our clinic. 

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It is your responsibility to know and understand your insurance coverage prior to your office visit as benefits and coverage vary per individual insurance plan.

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If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover naturopathic medicine, we offer a time of service discount.

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You may visit our Insurance Page for additional support.

Our providers set aside a few appointment slots each day Monday to Friday for same-day acute concerns. Given that we are a pediatric clinic and little humans gets sick frequently, these slots fill up quick! So please call our clinic (always leave a voicemail) and we will try to get back to you as soon as we can. You can also send your provider a message through CHARM, however, please note responses may take 2-3 days.

We wish we could see every single little human who needs a quick visit but unfortunately, some days we are at full capacity.

In the cases that we are full (which occurs mostly in the fall/winter when rates of illnesses are highest) please visit your local urgent care or walk-in clinic.

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Please note: We are a pediatric and family medicine primary care clinic, not an urgent care. Urgent care centers are designed to see patients with an acute illness or injury that cannot wait until the next day, or for primary care doctor to see them. We understand how frustrating it can be to not get in with your provider when your child needs it, and, we are not an urgent care. We encourage folks to take advantage of walk-in clinics and urgent cares when we are at capacity.

Seattle Children's Hospital

Seattle

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Evergreen Health ER:

Kirkland, Redmond, Monroe

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University of Washington Medical Center ER:

1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195 Phone: 206-520-5000
 

Swedish Medical Center ERs:

Ballard, First Hill, Cherry Hill, Edmonds, Mill Creek, Redmond, Issaquah

Harborview Medical Center ER:

325 9th Ave., 1st Floor, Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-520-5000

Virginia Mason ER:
1010 Spring Street, Seattle, WA 98122 Phone: 206-583-6433

Northwest Hospital & Medical Center ER:
1550 N. 115th St., Seattle, WA 98133 Phone: 206-364-0500
 

Valley Medical Center ER:
400 South 43rd St., Renton, WA 98055 Phone: 425-228-3450

Urgent Care options:

Seattle Children's Urgent Care: Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way, Seattle

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UW Medicine: Ballard, Federal Way, Issaquah, Olympia, Ravenna, Shoreline, Woodinville
 

Swedish Medicine: Cherry Hill Campus, Edmonds, Redmond

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Immediate Clinic: Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Crown Hill, Everett, Kirkland, Lake City, Lynnwood, Redmond, Shoreline
 

Kaiser Permanente (for Kaiser Patients only):
Bellevue, Capitol Hill, Tacoma, Olympia, Silverdale 

Consulting Nurse Service:

Evergreen 24/7 Consulting Nurse Line

 (425) 899-3000 or (360) 794-1111.
 

Molina Nurse Advice Line

English: (888) 275-8750
Spanish: (866) 648-3537
Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 7-1-1

If you cancel an appointment within 24 hours or do not show up to the appointment, all non-Medicaid patients will be charged a cancellation fee  of $75. This is in an effort to continue financially supporting our clinic and keeping our doors open. Without this late cancellation fee, we put our practice at serious financial risk.

You can access your child's immunization records through Washington State Immunization Information System.

https://wa.myir.net/rorl?next=/

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Please note that we receive hundreds of inquires for immunization records weeks/days before school begins. As much as we wish we could, it is not feasibly possible to provide you this information as urgently as it was requested. Responses to immunization records may take 1-3 weeks. Please plan accordingly for your child's upcoming school year.

It's confusing! And also, important to understand the difference for financial purposes.

Preventative visit:

A preventative visit is a type of healthcare appointment focused on maintaining and supporting one's overall health and well-being.

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During a preventative visit, your medical provider will review your medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also recommend screening tests or immunizations.

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Services of a preventative visit may or may not include the following:

• Complete physical exam

• Blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol screening tests

• Pelvic exams and/or pap smear

• Prostate, breast, colorectal cancer screenings

• Sexually-transmitted disease testing

• A thorough review of your general health and well-being

• Immunization review and update

• Developmental screenings

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Problem-Focused Office Visits:
An office visit is focused on a specific concern with a treatment plan. These type of visits are meant to discuss new or existing health issues, questions, concerns, or symptoms. Examples of these may include an odd rash on your child, knee pain, diabetes, medication adjustment and refills, chronic conditions, high blood pressure, diarrhea, concern for allergies, etc.

For these visits, insurance typically requires a co-pay and depending upon your specific insurance plan and benefits, an office visit may result in additional costs to you.

Thus, if you or your child are coming in for a well-check/annual and you have a concern that you would like addressed, this will be considered an annual wellness visit PLUS a problem-focused visit.

In which case, your provider is legally required to submit a code/bill for both a preventive visit and an office visit.

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If you have additional questions about preventive versus office visits, we recommend reviewing your Summary of Benefits with your insurance plan.

This is unfortunate and happens quite frequently whether it is due to medication shortages or shipping issues, it's never fun!

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Thankfully, there is a relatively easy way to still gain access to your medication through a pharmacy to pharmacy transfer.

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A pharmacy-to-pharmacy transfer, also known as a prescription transfer, is a process in which a patient's prescription medication is transferred electronically or by phone from one pharmacy to another. This is typically done when a patient wants to move their prescription or refill from their current pharmacy to a different one. There are several common reasons why someone might request a pharmacy transfer:

1. Convenience: Patients may prefer a pharmacy that is closer to their home or workplace, has more convenient hours, or offers better customer service.

2. Insurance or cost considerations: Different pharmacies may have varying prices for the same medication, and patients may transfer their prescription to take advantage of lower costs or because their insurance plan is better accepted at a different pharmacy.

3. Medication availability: Sometimes, a pharmacy may be out of stock of a specific medication, and a patient may need to transfer their prescription to a pharmacy that has it in stock.

4. Specialized services: Patients with unique healthcare needs may transfer their prescriptions to pharmacies that specialize in their condition or medication, such as a compounding pharmacy or a specialty pharmacy.

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Here's how a pharmacy-to-pharmacy transfer typically works:

1. The patient contacts the pharmacy they want to transfer their prescription to and provides the necessary information, including the prescription details and the current pharmacy's contact information.

2. The new pharmacy will then reach out to the current pharmacy to request the transfer. This can be done electronically through a secure system, by fax, or over the phone, depending on the pharmacies' capabilities and protocols.

3. The current pharmacy will review the request and transfer the prescription to the new pharmacy, provided there are no legal or safety issues preventing the transfer.

4. The new pharmacy will receive the prescription information, dispense the medication if it's in stock, and notify the patient when the prescription is ready for pickup.

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It's essential for patients to inform their healthcare providers about any prescription transfers to ensure accurate and coordinated care. Additionally, not all prescriptions can be transferred, especially controlled substances like opioids, which are subject to strict regulations. Rules and regulations regarding pharmacy transfers can vary by location, so it's advisable to check with the pharmacies and follow local laws and guidelines when transferring prescriptions.

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A vaccine alternative schedule, sometimes referred to as a delayed or modified vaccination schedule, is a non-standard approach to administering vaccines that differs from the recommended immunization schedule established by public health authorities and medical experts.

The recommended vaccination schedule, developed by organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and the World Health Organization (WHO) globally, provides specific guidelines for when vaccines should be given to individuals, typically starting in infancy and continuing throughout childhood and adulthood.

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A vaccine alternative schedule involves deviating from this standard schedule by delaying certain vaccines, spreading them out over a more extended period, or skipping some vaccines altogether. This approach may be adopted for various reasons, including concerns about vaccine safety, vaccine side effects, personal beliefs, or philosophical objections. Some parents or individuals may choose an alternative schedule due to a perceived risk of overloading a child's immune system with multiple vaccines at once or concerns about vaccine ingredients.

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It's essential to note that vaccine alternative schedules can pose risks:

1. Delayed protection: Delaying vaccines can leave individuals vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases for a more extended period, increasing the risk of contracting and spreading these diseases.

2. Incomplete immunity: Skipping or delaying vaccines may result in incomplete immunity, making individuals more susceptible to diseases and outbreaks.

3. Complicated scheduling: Keeping track of a modified vaccine schedule can be challenging, and it may require additional visits to healthcare providers which will also be increasing additional costs such as co-pays for each additional visit.

4. Potential for outbreaks: Lower vaccine coverage in a community can lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, potentially putting unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals at risk.

In order to protect our patients (newborns, folks with immunodeficiencies, etc.), we ask for all patients with a fever of 100.4F or above within the last 24 hours be seen for their visit via car side or telemedicine. If your child is scheduled for a well-check and has a fever, we can still see your child for an acute visit car side and reschedule the well-check for another day. Telemedicine visits are strictly for patients who do not need to be evaluated with a physical exam in person such as a quick lab review or refill for a medication.

What is the car side visit protocol?

1. Arrive 5-10 minutes prior to your appointment time.

2. Call to check-in at 425-814-2045. When calling making sure you leave a voicemail stating you or your child's name, your arrival, and what car you are located in.

3. Your provider will then call you at your designated appointment time to discuss your concerns and gather more information from you. Please have information ready regarding your preferred pharmacy, medications/supplements you/your child are taking, and any known allergies.

4. Once the phone call is complete, your provider will come down to evaluate the concerns with a physical exam and/or labs if needed.

5. We ask for all patients with a fever, cough, runny nose, or sore throat to wear a mask for the physical exam to protect those around you. If you do not have a mask, your provider can bring one down for you.

Getting in contact with your medical provider can vary depending on your provider's clinic schedule and the urgency of your concerns. Here are some common ways to contact your medical provider:

1. **Phone:** The most direct way to reach your medical provider is by calling our office at 425-814-2045. Please, ALWAYS leave a voicemail otherwise we have no way to call you back as we receive HUNDREDS of calls a day each with a high sense of urgency. If you are calling during office hours, you will likely speak with our absolutely incredible and very-hard working patient coordinator, Linda Jala, who does everything in her power to help patients schedule appointments, answer non-health related questions, or route your call to the appropriate healthcare professional. Please provide kindness, patience, and respect when speaking with our patient coordinators as they are the backbone of our clinic and work very hard to provide all our patients the best care possible.

2. **Patient Portal:** You can reach your provider via CHARM messaging in your patient portal where you can communicate securely with your healthcare team, request appointments, view test results, and ask non-urgent medical questions. You need to create an account and log in to access these features. Please note, responses may take 2-3 business days as your provider receives dozens of messages each day.

3. **Email:**For non-urgent matters, you may email our patient coordinator at frontoffice@eastsidenaturalmedicine.com 

4. **Online Appointment Scheduling:** We offer the option to schedule appointments online through our patient portal on CHARM. This can be convenient for routine appointments or follow-ups. It would not be appropriate to use this feature for urgent medical matters.

5. **Fax:** In some cases, you may need to send medical records, forms, or documents to your healthcare provider's office via fax. You may fax documents to 425-814-2783.

6. **In-Person:** If you need to speak with your provider in person, you can schedule an appointment. For urgent medical needs, it's important to go to the nearest emergency room or urgent care.

7. **Pharmacy:** Pharmacists can sometimes assist in communication with your healthcare provider. For example, if you need a medication refill, the pharmacist may contact your provider on your behalf.

8. **After-Hours Care:** If you have a medical issue outside of regular office hours, we have on-call doctors for urgent medical advice. You can find this information on our website or after-hours voicemail message.

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If you need a physician's advice for an urgent medical concern outside of business hours, please page the physician on call at (866) 278-7336. Please note that there is a $75 fee for this service. 

Getting a prescription authorization refill from a pharmacy typically involves the following steps:

1. **Check Your Prescription Label:** Review the label on your prescription bottle or packaging to confirm that you have refills remaining. The label should indicate how many refills are available.

2. **Contact the Pharmacy:** If you have refills left and need a refill authorization, call or visit the pharmacy where you originally filled the prescription. The pharmacy's phone number will be on the prescription label, and you can usually find the address on the label as well.

3. **Provide Prescription Information:** When you contact the pharmacy, be ready to provide them with the following information:
   - Your full name and date of birth.
   - The name of the medication you need a refill for.
   - Any specific instructions or dosage information for the medication.
   - The prescription number (if available).
   - The name of the prescribing healthcare provider.

4. **Request the Refill:** Let the pharmacy staff know that you would like to request a refill for your prescription. They will check their records to see if you have any refills left.

5. **Authorization Process:** If refills are available, the pharmacy will typically contact your prescribing healthcare provider to request authorization for the refill. Some pharmacies may have electronic systems in place to send refill requests directly to the provider's office.

6. **Provider's Response:** Your healthcare provider will review the refill request and either approve it or deny it. In most cases, if the prescription is still valid and there are refills remaining, the provider will authorize the refill.

7. **Pick Up or Delivery:** Once the prescription refill is authorized, the pharmacy will fill the prescription, and it will be ready for you to pick up. Some pharmacies also offer delivery services, so you can inquire about this option if needed.

8. **Insurance and Payment:** If you have insurance coverage, provide your insurance information to the pharmacy when picking up the medication. You may need to pay a copayment or a portion of the medication cost, depending on your insurance plan. If you don't have insurance, ask the pharmacy about pricing and potential discounts or assistance programs.

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It's important to request prescription refills in advance, well before you run out of medication, to ensure you don't miss any doses. Keep in mind that some medications, especially controlled substances, may have additional requirements and restrictions for refills, so always follow your healthcare provider's guidance and any legal regulations regarding those medications.

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Other options outside of pharmacy prescription authorization for a refill. **Contact Your Healthcare Provider:**
   - **Online Patient Portal:** On CHARM, there's an option to request prescription refills. If you have seen your provider recently, your provider may be able to refill it.
   - **Phone:** Call your healthcare provider's office. The phone number should be on your prescription label or on their website. When you call, be prepared to provide your name, date of birth, the name of the medication, and the pharmacy where you'd like to pick up the refill.
   - **In-Person Visit:** If your prescription requires a new evaluation or if it's been a while since your last appointment, you may need to schedule an in-person visit with your healthcare provider.

Please always, always leave a voicemail when calling our clinic. We receive hundreds of calls per day. We do everything in our power to call back each and every voicemail we receive as quickly as possible. Without leaving a voicemail, we will not be able to return your call. 

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You can also attempt to contact your provider via the patient portal however, there may be a 2-3 business day response delay.

Our wonderful billing specialist, Trisha Thomas can help you with all billing questions and/or direct you to the appropriate person to help you figure out your bill.

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For all insurance, billing, and balance information, please contact Trisha Thomas at billing@eastsidenaturalmedicine.com or contact Trisha Thomas via CHARM patient portal messages.

We have a wonderful and easily accessible platform located through your patient portal called Fullscript for most of your supplement needs.

Fullscript is an online platform that provides access to a wide range of dietary supplements and natural health products under the guidance of your provider. If you are a patient and want to use Fullscript to purchase supplements prescribed or recommended by your healthcare provider, here are the typical steps to follow:

1. **Receive a Prescription or Recommendation:** Your healthcare provider will prescribe or recommend specific supplements based on your health needs, goals, or conditions. They may do this during an in-person or virtual consultation.

2. **Provider's Invitation:** Your healthcare provider may invite you to use Fullscript by sending you an email with a personalized link. This link will connect you to their account and allow you to access the recommended supplements.

3. **Access Fullscript:** Click on the link provided by your healthcare provider to access Fullscript. If you already have a Fullscript account, log in using your credentials. If not, you may need to create an account.

4. **View Your Recommendations:** Once logged in, you will see a list of the supplements recommended or prescribed by your healthcare provider. These may include specific products, brands, dosages, and instructions.

5. **Add Products to Your Cart:** Review the recommended supplements and add them to your shopping cart. You can typically customize quantities and choose different brands or formulations if options are available.

6. **Review and Checkout:** Once you have added all the recommended supplements to your cart, review your selections. You can also add any additional items you may want, such as vitamins, minerals, or other health products.

7. **Provide Shipping Information:** Enter your shipping address and payment information. Some healthcare providers may offer free shipping, while others may charge a shipping fee.

8. **Complete the Purchase:** After confirming your order and payment, you can complete the purchase. You will receive an order confirmation via email.

9. **Delivery:** Fullscript will process your order and ship the supplements directly to your provided address. The delivery time may vary depending on your location.

10. **Follow Up:** Continue to follow your healthcare provider's guidance regarding supplement usage. If you have questions or concerns about the supplements, contact your provider for further clarification.

If you have any questions or encounter issues while using Fullscript, you can reach out to their customer support for assistance. Additionally, always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your individual health needs.

Last updated: 12/8/2023

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Eastside Natural Medicine ("us," "we," or "our") operates www.eastsidenaturalmedicine.com (the "Site"). This page informs you of our policies regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information we receive from users of the Site.

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Information Collection and Use

While using our Site, we may ask you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify you. Personally identifiable information may include but is not limited to your name, email address, and other information ("Personal Information").

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Log Data

Like many site operators, we collect information that your browser sends whenever you visit our Site ("Log Data"). This Log Data may include information such as your computer's Internet Protocol ("IP") address, browser type, browser version, and the pages of our Site that you visit.

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Communications

We may use your Personal Information to contact you with newsletters, marketing, or promotional materials and other information.

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Cookies

Cookies are files with a small amount of data, which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a web site and stored on your computer's hard drive.

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Security

The security of your Personal Information is important to us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

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Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy is effective as of 12/8/2023 and will remain in effect except concerning any changes in its provisions in the future, which will be in effect immediately after being posted on this page.

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We reserve the right to update or change our Privacy Policy at any time, and you should check this Privacy Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Service after we post any modifications to the Privacy Policy on this page will constitute your acknowledgment of the modifications and your consent to abide and be bound by the modified Privacy Policy.

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Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at frontoffice@eastsidenaturalmedicine.com.​