FAQs

Introduction

Functional Medicine (also known as holistic, integrative or alternative medicine) focuses on the optimal functioning of the entire body rather than targeting individual symptoms. The systems within your body are inter-dependent, so it’s important to look at your body as a whole. Imbalances in one system can lead to issues/imbalances in other systems. Additionally, gGenetics, environmental and lifestyle choices play key roles in how well your body can function. In functional medicine, patients and practitioners work together to address the underlying causes of disease, using a personalized, systems-oriented approach, then work together to implement solutions to those underlying causes.
 

Dr. Powers focuses on helping people of all ages struggling with hormone issues, including thyroid problems, growth and weight issues, diabetes, hypoglycemia, menstrual cycle abnormalities, menopause problems and bioidentical hormone replacement. Her approach is to restore these systems through a combination of diet and lifestyle changes, targeted supplements, and medication when appropriate. Her training is in pediatric endocrinology, and she sees many adults, also. She has an interest and expertise in Lyme and coinfections, GI problems, toxicities including heavy metals, endocrine disrupting chemicals, mold and EMF (electromagnetic field) radiation. Dr. Powers also offers preventive screening visits to optimize health. This includes a review of diet, lifestyle, toxin exposure, familial risks, and a personalized laboratory evaluation and interpretation.
 

Yes

Yes

No, Dr. Powers does not do primary care. She highly recommends that all of her patients maintain a relationship with a primary care practitioner.

Hormone problems of all types: thyroid, adrenal, vitamin D, PTH and bone disorders. Menstrual cycle problems, infertility, PCO, primary ovarian failure, menopause problems. Bioidentical hormone replacement for women and men. Early or late puberty, growth hormone deficiency.

Diabetes: type 1, type 2, type 1.5, Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes

Chronic infections: Lyme and coinfections, parasites, viruses and retroviruses

Toxicity: heavy metals, environmental toxins, EMF (electromagnetic field) radiation

Chronic problems: fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, autoimmunity, mast cell activation/histamine, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, ADD, ADHD, autism, allergies, asthma; dermatologic conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis

Nutrition, nutritional deficiencies, special diets like GAPS, SCD, low FODMAP, low histamine

GI problems: IBS, SIBO, dysbiosis, parasites, celiac, malabsorption, food sensitivities, chronic diarrhea, constipation.

COVID: acute COVID infections, long COVID, COVID-19 vaccine injuries

If you are sick $150 for a 30-40 min phone call to go over your symptoms, your medical history, allergies, medications, and give you recommendations for many over the counter remedies and treatments. We go over prescription options and we will work out which would be most appropriate for you. She always send handouts and links to further help teach you how to take care of yourself. Please call the office 434-382-1825 and leave a message, and she’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

If you want to be proactive and have a plan in place just in case, it’s $75 for a 15-20 min call. We go over preventive strategies, both over the counter and prescription options, medical equipment to have on hand, accompanied by handouts with instructions. Please fill out and return the short form for covid issues on my website and note the best windows of time/date to reach you.

No, Dr. Powers does not accept any insurance and is considered an out-of-network provider. Dr. Powers has opted out of Medicare, also.

Yes!

Results vary by each person. Some people feel dramatic improvement within the first month, others may take a bit longer. Our standard programs are for a minimum of 6 months. Remember, your body didn’t fail overnight. Years of stress and illness take their toll, and it takes a proper amount of time to restore. On average, it takes one month of repair for each year you’ve suffered from a specific problem.
 

Dr. Powers is happy to answer brief questions via email that you have about your protocol or symptoms. You can send a secure email through a HIPAA- compliant, password-protected portal. If it is a complex question which requires further back and forth communication, Dr. Powers will recommend scheduling a 15 minute visit, either in person or by phone or video.
 

The address is 20304 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502, co-located with the Virginia Vein and Wellness Center.

Licensing and malpractice guidelines require that out of state residents travel to my office for every visit. I cannot offer telemedicine for out of state residents.

Consultation Process

You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Powers to discuss your concerns and goals. Click on the link on the website, https://drpattypowers.com/book-an-appointment/

You can download our new patient questionnaire and legal forms: https://drpattypowers.com/new-patient-forms-2/

Fill them out and return them by fax 434-208-2682, US mail, email to [email protected], or drop them off Monday – Thursday 8 AM – 4:30 PM. Dr. Powers will confirm receipt and then add you to the waiting list.

As of July 2023, the waiting time for a new patient appointment is about 6-8 weeks.

Dr. Powers reviews all of your paperwork, and any labs you have sent in advance of your meeting. During your visit, she may ask more questions or request more detail regarding your symptoms, your history and the like (this could include asking for past medical reports from other providers, or past results of labwork). She will do a physical exam, and then will discuss her impressions, diagnostic possibilities, recommend some things to start immediately, and discuss possible lab tests or procedures. If lab tests are ordered, then typically she will collect the results and email them to you. When all results are back, she will schedule a follow-up meeting to review all of the results and discuss how to act on them.

Dr. Powers has clinic hours on Mondays and Thursdays. The office front desk is staffed Monday – Thursday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM for pick-up and drop off.

TThe initial visit is 60-120 minutes. Typical follow-up visits are 30-45 minutes, depending on how many questions you have.

Yes, please feel free to bring someone. Dr. Powers goes over a lot of information during these visits, and it helps to have someone along to remember what all was discussed. She also has lots of handouts to help jog your memory. You can also record your visit.

Labs

Dr. Powers offers a variety of lab testing, from conventional labs to state of the art functional medicine testing. Please read below about the different types of lab testing she offers

Conventional Lab Testing: Generally billed to your Insurance

Conventional lab tests are those that you are likely already familiar with. These are the tests such as thyroid testing, vitamin D and cholesterol, to name a few. Dr. Powers is different from your conventional doctor in that she often orders more lab tests. She interprets them differently from how a conventional doctor might. Dr. Powers listens to your symptoms while looking at optimal levels rather than normal ranges.

Functional Medicine Lab Testing:

Dr. Powers uses high-quality, cutting-edge functional lab tests in order to get the most accurate information about how your body is working and to uncover the root cause of your illness. These tests may or may not be covered by your insurance company. Some lab testing companies have you pay our office for the labs and we pay the lab company directly on your behalf. Some will bill your insurance, and ask you for a copay. You may also use funds from a Health Savings Account (HSA) to cover the costs of these tests.

Laboratory companies that Dr. Powers uses (subject to change):

  • Genova Diagnostics
  • Great Plains Laboratory
  • Doctor’s Data
  • ZRT
  • InfectoLabs
  • IGeneX
  • Alletess
  • Cyrex
  • LRA by ELISA/ACT
  • DHA
  • Hakala Labs
  • TRIO-Smart SIBO testing
  • Diagnostic Solutions
  • ARL Hair Mineral Analysis

All of these laboratories have billing departments that will be able to help learn more about insurance coverage.

In many cases, yes. You can do an internet search “order my own labs” or “order my own _____” (whatever test you want) and discover sources and prices.

Blue Ridge Scientific, https://www.blueridgest.com/ 21556 Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502, behind Mr. Goodies Ice Cream stand, will draw blood for LabCorp, Quest, and the various other lab companies that Dr. Powers uses. You can walk in or call to make an appointment.

Dr. Powers always emails copies of your lab reports to you. For LabCorp and Quest, you can also set up a patient account and access your own results.

Costs and Insurance

To simplify the process, we recommend calling your insurance company prior to your visit to find out about what your specific plan will cover. Insurance plans will consider Dr. Powers an out-of-network provider. We’re more than happy to provide diagnosis and procedure codes. Since Dr. Powers is a Medical Doctor, we find that most patients are reimbursed for a portion of their visits.

Additional information can be found in the following document: Insurance and Out-of-Network Providers

Dr. Powers charges $450 per hour. Although the initial visit is often longer than one hour, the maximum fee is $450. Beyond that, all consultations will be billed for the actual time used, and prorated accordingly. If you have extensive medical records to review, there may be an additional fee. Subsequent visits are billed according to the same schedule.

Cash, check or charge (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) and Health Savings Accounts. We charge a 3% processing fee if you pay by credit/debit/HSA.

Payment is due at time of consultation.

We will provide you a superbill that lists traditional ICD-10 diagnosis codes and CPT codes that you may submit to your insurance company. Most insurance companies will not reimburse for supplements. You are responsible for billing your insurance company; the office staff will not submit your bills to your insurance company for reimbursement. Please note that we cannot guarantee reimbursement.

Check with your insurer in advance for their policies on out-of-network providers. Additional information can be found in the following document: Insurance and Out-of-Network Providers

Products

Yes! Dr. Powers now carries a limited number of supplements and remedies that are generally not available at other local stores. She also uses an online supplement company called Fullscript that carries many high quality brands.

You can let Dr. Powers know that you want a particular item, and she will put it at the front desk for you to pick up. You can pay via online invoice using a credit card, check, or exact change.

  • Pre-approval is required on all returns. Refrigerated items cannot be returned. There is a 15% of purchase price restock fee, which may be refunded on unopened and non-refrigerated items.
  • No supplement returns will be accepted after 30 days on all regularly stocked items. Special orders cannot be returned.
  • Prepaid tests can be returned for credit within 3 months of purchase.
  • Keep copies of your test results and consultation reports. Some like an accordion folder, some like a binder with dividers. Some keep their own spreadsheets to follow trends.
  • Bring a list of your current supplements and medications to appointments.
  • Be willing to look outside the areas that insurance covers and consider acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, chiropractic, homeopathy, naturopathy, herbalists, massage therapists, and the like.

Resources

Guided Imagery:Belleruth Naparstek
YouTube video for stress reduction by Belleruth Naparstek
Affirmations :Belleruth Naparskek  YouTube video
Tapping:Nick Ortner YouTube demonstration
Diana Harbour L. Ac, M. Ed., Blue Crane Acupuncture, Forest VA
Deep BreathingBrian Abelson demonstration
Organizations:Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance
Weston A. Price Foundation