Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is re-emerging as the health care choice for many individuals due to its safety, effectiveness and affordability. Naturopathy is a system of alternative primary care that uses a Holistic approach and natural substances to help the body heal itself from illness and injury. Originating in 19th century Europe, naturopathy emphasizes healthy living and the prevention of disease. Naturopaths may treat all kinds of illnesses, but the treatments can be especially helpful for chronic or long-term ailments.
Naturopathic medicine is a holistic medicine, which is treatment based on the idea that illness does not occur in a vacuum. Naturopaths don't only examine or treat the part of the body where symptoms show up -- they look for the cause of the symptoms wherever it may be and treat the cause. When the cause is addressed the symptoms will resolve. They seek to make the whole person healthier. To this end, they may ask about or make adjustments to a patient's family history, mental state, emotions, diet, lifestyle, or environment.
Naturopathic doctors practice on the basis that each person’s body has an innate ability to heal itself. Naturopathic doctors utilize dietary optimization and lifestyle modification along with natural therapies to assist the body in this process, essentially giving the body the push it needs to do its job. Regardless of which treatment modalities are used, the physician always aims to treat you as a whole by addressing all needs- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
When the problem is fully understood, a naturopath may provide a variety of treatments to bring the body back into a healthy state. Some examples of treatments that naturopaths may provide include:
- Nutrition and dietary changes, including detox diets
- Behavioral changes and adjustments to lifestyle, such as reducing stress or getting more sleep
- Herbal medicine
- Homeopathic medicine
- Traditional Chinese medicine
- Vitamins
- Hydrotherapy
- Massage
In addition, licensed naturopaths can prescribe certain medications, order blood tests, and perform simple surgeries such as the placement of stitches or removal of warts.
How are naturopathic doctors trained?
Licensed naturopathic physicians (NDs/NMDs) attend a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school after receiving their undergraduate Bachelor degree. Their education includes the same basic sciences as a medical doctor (MD) in addition to training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, psychology, and counseling. Two of the four years are dedicated to clinical education and can take place in the school clinic, drug-rehab centers, shelters for abused women and children, low-income clinics and a number of general practice clinics. The Naturopathic Medical Board requires naturopathic physicians to take professional board exams in order to be licensed as a primary care general practice physician. Currently, 17 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands all have licensing laws regulating naturopathic doctors. In the great state of Washngton, ND’s are licensed as primary care practitioners and can therefore write prescriptions, order laboratory work and even perform minor surgery.
Does insurance cover our services?
Yes, in the state of Washington many insurances cover Naturopathic Physicians Simply ask your doctor if they are covered under your insurance.
Dr. Bloom is in network with these insurances:
Providence
FirstChoice
PacificSource
MODA
Molina
Primera
BCBS/Regency
How can you use your insurance plan at our office?
If we are in network with your insurance we will bill your insurance for you. You will need to pay any copays at the office.
If we are out of network with your insurance we encourage you to call your insurance and get prequalified for payment out of network.
If preauthorization is not possible. We will provide you with an itemized bill, a document that lists every service provided and the cost for each. This will need to be submitted alongside your insurance claim form. You will need to contact your insurance company to obtain a health insurance claim form. We suggest making copies of all documents submitted to your insurance in case your claim is lost and you need to re-file. Payment is due at the time of service; if your insurance company accepts the claim, they will send you a check to reimburse you for a portion of the visit.
What can you expect to get back from the insurance company?
You can call your insurance company to determine the amount of your out-of-network deductible. This deductible must be met before your insurance company will pay for services provided by any doctor who is not in your insurance provider network. Once the deductible is met, many patients will receive a check reimbursing them for a percentage of their visit.