Starting functional medicine can feel new. Below are answers to the questions we hear most often about appointments, testing, billing, and how our root cause approach works.
GOT A QUESTION
Frequently
Asked Questions
If you are new to functional medicine, you probably have questions — and that is completely understandable. Functional medicine works differently than a standard medical appointment, and the billing, testing, and visit structure are all worth understanding before you book.
Below you will find answers to the questions we hear most often from new and prospective patients at Root Cause Healthcare and Fitness in Daphne, AL. These cover everything from how insurance and lab billing works, to what actually happens during your first visit, to how to decide whether care here is a good fit for your goals.
If your question is not listed, reach out directly — we are happy to answer any questions before you commit to anything.
01. Do you accept insurance?
We do not bill insurance directly. You pay for your visit at the time of service, and we can provide a superbill — an itemized receipt — that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, depending on your out-of-network benefits. Medicare is not accepted.
02. Why do you not accept insurance?
Functional medicine visits are longer and more in-depth than a typical office appointment. A thorough root cause evaluation requires real time — for reviewing health history, discussing patterns, interpreting test results, and building a personalized plan. Standard insurance billing models are not built to support that, so operating outside of insurance allows us to provide the depth of care we believe patients deserve.
03. What should I expect before my first appointment?
After you schedule, we send detailed intake questionnaires covering your health history, current symptoms, medications, lifestyle habits, and wellness goals. Completing these thoroughly before your visit helps us make the most of your appointment. If you have recent lab work or relevant records, bring those along — they can save time and add useful context
04. What happens during my first functional medicine visit?
Your first visit is a comprehensive conversation, not a rushed exam. We review your health history, discuss what you have already tried, identify patterns in your symptoms and timeline, and talk through what testing or next steps might be most useful for your situation. You leave with a clear picture of where things stand and a concrete plan for moving forward.
05. Do you order lab work and how is it billed?
Yes, when lab testing is clinically relevant to your care plan. Standard labs are typically processed through LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics and billed through your insurance or paid out of pocket. Specialty functional medicine testing — such as advanced hormone panels, micronutrient testing, or stool analysis — is typically paid out of pocket and varies in cost depending on the panel.
06. Who is a good fit for Root Cause Healthcare and Fitness?
Functional medicine care is a strong fit for people who want a thorough root cause evaluation, have ongoing symptoms that have not been fully explained, want a personalized approach to nutrition and lifestyle, or want more consistent support than short appointments allow. Many of our patients continue seeing their primary care physician while working with us for functional medicine support.
07. Are you my primary care provider?
No. We are not a replacement for a primary care physician and do not serve that role. Many patients continue seeing their PCP for acute and routine care while working with us for functional medicine support, root cause evaluation, and long-term wellness planning.
08. Do you offer virtual appointments?
Yes. Telemedicine visits are available for most follow-up appointments and ongoing coaching sessions, depending on your care plan and clinical needs. Virtual visits make it easier to stay consistent with your follow-ups.
09. What services do you offer?
Our core services include functional medicine evaluations, diagnostic testing and lab review, hormone therapy follow-ups, peptide therapy follow-ups, nutrition and supplement coaching, and infrared sauna sessions. Memberships are available for patients who want structured, ongoing support with regular follow-ups included. Visit our Programs & Services page for full details.
10. Do you offer memberships and what is included?
Yes. We offer three Year 1 membership tiers — Basic ($99/mo), Premium ($149/mo), and VIP ($199/mo) — each built around functional medicine coaching with varying levels of included services. Premium and VIP members transition to Maintenance Membership in Year 2. Visit our Membership & Pricing page for complete details.
11. Do you offer sauna sessions?
Yes. Individual infrared sauna sessions are $15 for a 15-minute session — no membership required. Sauna sessions are also included in Premium and VIP membership plans. Visit our Infrared Sauna page for details.
Functional Medicine
Root Cause Care
Hormone Therapy
Peptide Therapy
Advanced Lab Testing
Nutrition Support
Gut Health Support
Weight Loss Support
Thyroid Support
Telemedicine Visits