Frequently Asked Questions

Well north functional medicine - Functional medicine in Denver, co

Functional medicine is the science of health and maintaining function. It takes an individualized approach to figure out how and why an illness occurs in the first place and aims to reverse disease and restore health by getting to the root cause. Unlike conventional medicine which often looks at the body as separate, single systems and lacks time and emphasis on true wellness and disease prevention, functional medicine is a systems biology approach, looking at the body as a whole to find internal balance. Integrative medicine is blending the best of conventional and functional medicine with a focus on lifestyle interventions for optimal outcomes. Well North Functional Medicine offers in-person Functional Medicine in Denver, CO and virtual visits throughout the state of Colorado and Utah. 

Did you know that Well North Functional Medicine began as Wild Rice Wellness?  Wild Rice Wellness was named after my hometown in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, paying homage to my roots and was founded in 2022.

 

So, why the name change? The name Well North Functional Medicine embodies my mission to help patients navigate toward true north—your best possible health. “Well North” symbolizes direction, clarity, and progress, while holding true to Functional Medicine principles and my dedication to addressing the underlying causes of health concerns, not just the symptoms. This rebranding aligns with my vision of empowering you to live a vibrant, balanced life through holistic, evidence-based care.

 

Welcome to Well North Functional Medicine in Denver, CO where we are your partners in health. 

Do you accept insurance?

No. Payment can be made through credit card, debit or HSA/FSA debit.  I can provide you with a superbill which is a detailed receipt of services that lists diagnoses and testing codes as well as fees charged for your care that you can submit to your insurance as an out of network expense. It is the responsibility of the patient to submit this and correspond with insurance and there is no guarantee for reimbursement of services.

Why don't we accept insurance? When practitioners accept insurance, they are bound by contracts with insurance companies that dictate what services can be provided. Insurance often reimburses very little for complex care or the time we spend with patients. This type of care doesn’t get great results for patients with chronic illness or complex needs. This is why our current mainstream healthcare system is falling short.  In order to provide the personalized and holistic care offered at Well North Functional Medicine we have opted not to bill insurance to ensure that we can meet the needs and goals of our patients. The insurance model is good for “sick care” but in order to deliver personalized, in-depth care focusing on health and wellness we feel that opting out of insurance is the right move. Plus, it allows for price transparency - there is no guessing what your visits will cost!

An important note on Medicare and Medicaid - Due to restrictions imposed by these insurance plans, even for cash pay patients, we cannot accept patients who have Medicare or Medicaid plans at this time. This may change in the future.

Are you my Primary Care Provider (PCP)?

The simple answer is - No. Even though I am trained as a Family Nurse Practitioner I am not your primary care provider. As part of our patient agreement, you must maintain an active relationship with your traditional primary care provider for yearly physicals, screenings, and urgent needs and care that I cannot provide in this model of care. Well North Functional Medicine does not provide after-hours care for emergencies or urgent matters. I am always happy to collaborate with your PCP or anyone else on your healthcare team regarding your care.

What types of patients do we see at Well North Functional Medicine?

I want to help anyone who is motivated in taking charge of their health and life! I like seeing patients who are complex but whose needs haven’t been heard or met in the traditional healthcare system. I also enjoy those who simply want to optimize their health and add years to their life and life to their years. I have a BIG passion in working with postpartum moms to get them back to optimal health and vitality so that they can enjoy motherhood! I also love working with women who are looking to conceive or are struggling with fertility or going through the perimenopause transition. There is so much we can do to address the whole person to achieve optimal health!

What does treatment entail?

Each patient will have a 90-120 minute initial consultation to review medical and personal history. After that, a personalized care plan will be curated including conventional lab testing, functional medicine diagnostic testing (always optional), nutrition plan, medications and supplements if needed, lifestyle goals (sleep, exercise, stress reduction) and more. Lifestyle recommendations will always be encouraged as our first line of treatment but medications may be used from time to time based on patient goals and preferences, taking into account symptom severity. This is truly holistic care and a partnership in health. After the initial consultation, we will meet to review lab work and every few months until you are feeling better! We are always assessing the plan and progress and making changes that matches with your goals. Well North Functional Medicine offers pay-per-visit sessions as well as packages to reach your wellness goals!

What types of labs do you use?

Patients will have access to traditional labs through any LabCorp laboratory (i.e. thyroid and hormone testing, cholesterol and blood sugar labs, basic blood counts, micronutrient levels, autoimmune testing and more) which are often covered by insurance or available at affordable cash pay prices. I often find that with a good history and basic blood work (but more than your PCP would order), we can get a good plan in place! There are times where we may also discuss specialty functional medicine labs (Genova Diagnostics GI Effects Gut Microbiome testing, expanded micronutrient testing with the Metabolomix+, hormone testing with the DUTCH test through Precision Analytical, genetic testing, and more). Not every patient needs functional medicine lab testing. All lab testing is an additional cost and always optional. Functional lab tests are offered to the patient at the lowest possible wholesale cost without any additional mark-up. 

How long will we work together?

I believe that healing takes time. As most chronic illnesses did not start overnight, it takes time to get to the root cause and get you feeling well! For some people this may only mean a few months, for others healing can take a year or more. My goal is always to work together for the shortest amount of time and get you back to feeling healthy and vibrant! Over the past three years, I have found that most patients who have truly transformed their health are seen for 4-5 visits throughout a 6-12 month period, which is why I have created packages to reach your health and wellness goals! And many patients stick with me long term for annual follow-ups and check ins as well as those on Hormone Replacement Therapy who will need ongoing care and monitoring. There are options for continued care after packages!

What happens if I finish up my sessions in the wellness package and want to continue care?

Sometimes healing can take a little longer and for this reason, if you finish up your sessions in either of our wellness packages you will have the option to purchase a-la-carte sessions at a discounted rate to continue care. For some patients, it may be another session or two and for others it might just be for quarterly or yearly check-ins if medications are being prescribed. 

How is functional and integrative medicine different from conventional medicine?

Functional medicine is root-cause, systems biology medicine. With functional medicine we ask WHY an illness or symptom is occurring and HOW can we restore optimal health and wellness - leaning heavy into lifestyle modalities to restore balance but may still prescribe medications when needed. In conventional medicine there is often a focus on a single symptom or system and oftentimes medications are used for each complaint because there isn’t enough time during visits to dig deep and focus on lifestyle interventions that do really work! There is a time and place for conventional medicine as well as for prescription medications, and I want to work alongside your Primary Care Provider to bridge what is missing with lifestyle and functional medicine. I am trained in both conventional and functional medicine and often use a blend of both approaches to provide truly holistic, integrative care providing Functional Medicine in Denver, CO and virtually throughout Colorado and Utah. 

Can you see patients outside of Colorado?

Well North Functional Medicine offers Functional Medicine in Denver, CO (in person at Nuture - A Wellcare Marketplace) and virtually throughout the entire state of Colorado. I also recently obtained my Utah NP license, so I can currently see patients virtually with in person sessions coming later in 2025! At this time, I am only licensed in Colorado and Utah and can only see patients physically located in these states. Even with the introduction of telemedicine, state medical and nursing laws and regulations still apply to virtual visits. I am pursuing licensure in more states, so please inquire and I may be able to accommodate your state in the future!

How much do labs cost?

Basic lab work is typically covered by insurance, however, every plan is different so it is good to check to see what is covered. For example, high deductible plans may not cover lab work until your deductible is met and therefore labs may be priced higher. Personalized, functional labs can range anywhere from $150 to $600 per test and they are typically not covered by insurance. Many labs, both functional and standard labs, are available at a discounted, cash-pay price. This cost is not included the initial consult or follow-up visit fees. Labs are not required but are often a big piece of the puzzle and helpful in guiding treatment and healing. I am always happy to review past lab work you have had done!

Do you prescribe medications?

Yes, if needed certain medications like antibiotics, anti-fungal medications, thyroid medications, hormone replacement therapy, low dose naltrexone, migraine medications and more will be prescribed at the discretion of the provider and working with what the patient prefers. 

Do you utilize supplements in your practice?

Yes. Supplement recommendations are ALWAYS personalized and it is always a discussion between patient and provider on what supplements will be utilized. I utilize a platform called Fullscript which is an online supplement dispensary that has medical grade, high-quality, third party tested supplements. For personal ethical reasons, I opt to not profit in any way from patient supplement sales which allows me to extend a significant discount to patients on supplements while we work together and beyond. I want patients to know that if I am recommending a supplement it is because I wholeheartedly believe it will help and not that I am profiting off of their purchase. If you are not currently a patient and would like to order supplements with a discount, you can visit my Fullscript Dispensary HERE!

Why does HRT require ongoing care?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a personalized treatment that needs regular oversight to ensure safety, effectiveness, and alignment with your body’s changing needs during perimenopause and menopause. Ongoing care includes:

 

  • Monitoring hormone levels routinely to adjust dosages, ensuring optimal symptom relief without over- or under-treatment.
  • Symptom Tracking: Periodic check-ins to assess improvements in hot flashes, mood, sleep, or other symptoms and fine-tune your plan. 
  • Safety Checks: Annual exams and screenings (e.g., mammograms, lipid panels) to minimize risks. 
  • General and Functional Health optimization through checking on nutrition, supplement needs, sleep, movement and stress.
  • Adapting to Changes: Perimenopause is dynamic and your hormone needs may shift, requiring adjustments to your HRT.

Our ongoing care ensures you feel your best while prioritizing your long-term health. 

What are the payment options for ongoing HRT care?

To make care accessible and predictable, we offer two flexible payment plans for stable patients: 

- Yearly Plan: $999/year (saves ~10% compared to quarterly) – Ideal for those seeking consistent, comprehensive care with fewer payments. 

- Quarterly Plan: $275/quarter – Perfect for flexibility, with the same high-quality monitoring and support. 

Both plans include regular consultations, lab reviews, personalized HRT adjustments, and functional medicine guidance to optimize your perimenopause journey. New patients may require an initial consultation (separate fee) to establish care. Contact us to learn more or book your appointment!