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Empowering your healing journey

Frequently Asked Questions

Following are some answers to common questions of Heart Spring Health patients. Some may apply to you. If you have questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us at any time.

What is a naturopathic doctor?

Naturopathic physicians are trained as medical doctors and are required to take all of the prerequisites required for any type of medical school.  In medical school they study all of the same basic and clinical sciences that any medical doctor studies including pharmaceuticals.  In addition, a naturopathic doctor studies healing through natural substances such as plants, minerals, water, foods and more.  Naturopaths are trained to treat the whole person and address the underlying causes that are contributing to one's health concerns.  The nature-path teaches patients the path to natural health and healing.  

What can I expect from a visit with a Naturopathic Doctor?
While each visit to Heart Spring Health is as unique as the patient, it is common to have the first visit last between 60-120 minutes. This gives us a chance explore the underlying factors affecting your health.

Prior to your visit, we will send you paperwork to complete that includes a thorough health history. When we meet, we will review this together to better understand your concerns. Through physical exam and possibly lab work, Dr. Wilkie will do a comprehensive analysis of your health that will help inform your personalized treatment plan.

Ultimately, the goal of this first visit is to understand your current health challenges, history and goals. You will leave with a clear picture of how we will work together to support you in your return to radiant health.

How often will I be treated?
You can expect to see Dr. Wilkie between two to four times in the first month. During this time we will do a thorough analysis of the state of your conditon as well as, begin to understand you as a whole person. While it is likely you will begin to feel better quickly, it is important that you receive care throughout the healing process to help ensure a complete recovery and long-lasting results.
The frequency and duration of follow-up care is different for everyone. After about 4 visits, generally, enough information has been collected to create a treatment plan that takes into account your unique healthcare needs.  Your treatment plan will depend upon the nature of your condition, its state of progression, your constitutional makeup and your desired level of health.
Some factors that will influence any healing process are: your lifestyle and habits, your commitment to care, the extent to which you take an active role in your health, your constitutional makeup, and the severity of your condition. If you have been unwell for some time it is important to know that the restoration of health will also take time.

What about lab work?

N.D.'s draw blood and order necessary lab work as well as interpret the results and provide treatment. Dr. Wilkie uses local laboratories that are covered by insurance so the blood draw and testing will be completed at one site. In some cases, Dr. Wilkie will draw your blood and send it to the lab for evaluation.

What if I’m not feeling well but laboratory results do not indicate a problem?
Compared to other countries, the general American population does not operate at a high level of health. And “normals” for laboratory results are averaged from our general population.

Naturopathic physicians looks at laboratory results a little differently than M.D.s – and as a result, we offer patients more nuanced information. This may help you understand the subtleties of why you’re not feeling well and how your lifestyle may be impacting your health, so you can get back on the road to feeling great again.

How does naturopathic medicine define “optimal health”?
From a naturopathic perspective, optimal health means more than simply being free of physical symptoms. We also believe that an individual’s mental, emotional and spiritual life play a big part in their overall well being.

When people are healthy, they generally report having energy, feeling light and alive, and experiencing a deep sense of peace, freedom, confidence, joy, and gratitude for life. At Heart Spring Health, we support you in establishing (and sustaining) your unique picture of optimal health.

Can I seek naturopathic care and conventional care at the same time?
Yes! Naturopathic medicine works well in conjunction with conventional care; in fact, it often helps improve the results and reduce the side-effects of treatments you are receiving.

You may find that with treatment at Heart Spring Health, you will need to reduce your doses of prescription medication and eventually may not even need them at all. Please tell both your MD and Dr. Wilkie about any other doctors you are working with so they can coordinate care and make any medication adjustments as necessary.

Naturopathic medicine can also help support the body during transitional phases (such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause etc.) and intensive conventional treatment (such as chemotherapy, radiation, etc). Many patients pursue both conventional and naturopathic care in such circumstances, and they get the greatest benefit when all of their care providers are working together.

Dr. Wilkie offers supportive treatment for pre and post surgery, imaging, and for a wide range of conditions requiring the use of long-term pharmaceuticals. We can help by simply treating the side effects of conventional treatment and/or by supporting your body so that it can respond optimally to restore itself through healing on all levels.

If I'm taking prescription medications will natural medicines interfere?

There are certain drug-nutrient and drug-herbal interactions that should be taken into consideration. Dr. Wilkie is aware of the possibilities and will avoid interactions. For this reason it is important that you provide your doctor(s) with a list of all current medications.

Can Naturopathic Doctors prescribe prescription drugs?

Licensed ND's can prescribe prescription drugs but choose to do so when it is a necessary form of action.  Naturopathic physicians generally use lifestyle managment and natural remedies that facilitate healing on a deep level without the use of prescription medications.  In the event a prescription drug is indicated licensed ND's are well trained in pharmacology and will provide you with choices, as well as take into account any allergies or interactions.

What if I need additional workup or treatment?

Naturopathic physicians are trained to know when to refer you to a specialist for further evaluation and treatment.  If imaging is necessary, Dr. Wilkie will send you for the necessary imaging whether that be an x-ray, a bone scan, MRI, CT, or ultrasound.  Dr. Wilkie also works closely with the medical community to provide you with optimal care by meeting your needs and sharing options, so that you can make an informed choice and play a vital role in your healthcare decision-making.

What can I expect to pay?
To honor your health as well as your budget, Heart Spring Health offers a sliding scale for our services. Listed below is our suggested fee schedule.

We ask that you pay what you can safely and honorable pay with a minimum of $95/hr. All payments will be received at the time of service. Be sure to ask about discounts for professionals, military, seniors, and students. 

Will my appointments with Dr. Wilkie be covered by my insurance plan?
Heart Spring Health services are covered by many insurance plans. If you are planning on using insurance to pay for your visit, please inquire to assure that your insurance plan covers naturopathic medicine before you make your initial appointment.

Dr. Wilkie is an in-network provider with most insurance companies.

If your health plan covers naturopathic medicine but Dr. Wilkie is considered “out of network”, payment is due at the time of service; your insurance company will reimburse you for payment.

Can I email questions to Dr. Wilkie?

Yes, Dr. Wilkie is commited to quality care and therefore makes it a priority to answer questions regarding your existing treatment plan or last visit free of charge.  Should the response require more than a short paragraph or entail multiple emails Dr. Wilkie reserves the right to be compensated for her time.  As part of her commitment to your healthcare Dr. Wilkie is happy to answer any questions that arise if they can be appropriately addressed via email according to the hourly fee schedule. 

Some questions require an office visit to be addressed appropriately and thoroughly, you will be asked to make an appointment in these cases. Most Insurance companies do not reimburse for email consults. 

Does Dr. Wilkie do phone or long distance consults? 

Yes, Phone or skype consults can be arranged for patients seeking homeopathic and some naturopathic services.  Not all services or conditions are appropriate for distance treatment and in these cases you will be referred so you can be taken care of adequately. These visits are arranged much like a regular visit and follow the guidelines listed above.  In most cases your first office visit should be done in office, please inquire if you need to make special arrangements.  Your initial Skype visit will include helping you with program set up should you need it, please allow and schedule an extra 20-30 minutes.  

Existing patients may call Dr. Wilkie for free phone consults up to 10 minutes regarding an existing treatment plan or a question regarding your last visit.  She is happy to answer questions regarding a new problem, future treatment, or questions needing extensive time for an additional charge.  The charge ranges from $25-125 based on the complexity of your situation and the time spent with you on the phone. 

Some situations require an office visit to be addressed appropriately, to serve your needs with the highest quality care you will be asked to make an appointment in these cases. Most insurance companies do not cover phone consults or visits.  At your request we will courtesy bill your insurance to see if this service is covered by your insurance.

Do you make house calls?
Yes, Dr. Wilkie makes house calls to treat patients who do not have the resources to see her in the clinic. However, she can’t legally provide patients with transportation. If Dr. Wilkie comes to your home for a house call and then refers you for treatment to the emergency room or any other health care facility, you must make arrangements for transportation and/or be held financially responsible for your transportation. Most insurance companies do not reimburse for home visits, if your hoping insurance will cover your visit please be sure to inquire prior to service. A $25 fee is added to all house calls to compensate for resources used in coming to your home.  Payments due at time of service.