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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

As a Board Certified Otolaryngologist Dr. Petersen is trained to treat disorders of the head and neck including allergy, immune, endocrine and nervous system disorders of that region. He also has special training as an ENT allergist and in environmental and anti-aging medicine. Dr. Petersen’s special interest and experience includes disorders that although they include ENT area symptoms are typically part of a disease process that involves the whole body. Although he is trained to handle short term problems, his expertise lends itself more to problems of long-standing nature. Typically his patients have been seen by health care providers in multiple disciplines and specialties without complete resolution of symptoms. His treatment approach includes a blend of “standard” Western medicine techniques with “less standard” more “natural” modalities. Many of Dr. Petersen’s patients have a broad array of digestive, endocrine, immune, allergic, musculo-skeletal, psychiatric, developmental and neurologic problems that may benefit from the treatment methods that he employs. Specific conditions treated include adrenal function disorder, allergies, anxiety disorder, Aspberger’s syndrome, asthma, attention deficit disorder, autism, auditory processing disorder, autoimmune diseases, behavioral disorders, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, cognitive deficits, dementia, depression, diabetes, digestive disorders, dizziness/vertigo, dysgraphia, dyslexia, ear ringing, educational problems, fatigue, fibromyalgia, focus and attention disorders, headaches/migraines, hormone disorders, immune deficiency, inflammatory bowel disorders, intermittent diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, lupus, memory disturbance, mitochondrial disorders, mood disorders, neuropathy, obesity/overweight, oppositional defiant disorder, PANDAS, panic attacks, Parkinson’s, PTSD, seizures, sleep disorder/sleep apnea, speech and language disorders, thyroid disorders/thyroiditis, tic disorder.

We do not require a referral to see you as a patient. All you need to do is contact our scheduling specialist to arrange a new patient appointment. Although he does not accept insurance and is not a participating provider for any insurance or health plan including Medicare and Medicaid, the offices can provide you with an itemized receipt form which may be submitted by you for insurance reimbursement consideration. This varies by payer and we suggest that you contact your insurance in advance in order to understand their reimbursement policy relative to our services.

No, we work for you the patient rather than the insurance company. We expect payment at the time of service for services rendered. Service fee is based on the actual time spent with the physician. Some patients may qualify for insurance reimbursement from their policy if they submit an itemized receipt that we can provide. Our services normally qualify for HSA reimbursement. We do not maintain staff to process insurance claims and requests.

Immediately following your initial consultation with one of our healthcare providers, you will be scheduled for your return visit (options include phone, video conference, in-offices). A successful outcome from the style of healthcare we provide requires taking steps together to understand the factors contributing to your unique illness and to enable you to use your body’s own amazing ability to heal when it is allowed and assisted to do so. Most of our guests have been ill for a long time and recovery takes time. This type of care often necessitates course adjustments along the way. Any tests that are available at the time of your return visit will be reviewed with you at the time of that visit in order to assist in these care adjustments as appropriate. Since the Medical Board requires licensed provider authorization for many of the tests we recommend and to ensure that you receive accurate education about the nature of the test results, it is our policy to provide you test results at the time they are discussed with you by our providers or their assistants. This is consistent with the policy of most healthcare organizations. We realize that care costs are expensive and we make every effort to provide maximum value and limit costs whenever possible.

Dr. Petersen accepts patients from age one year to 100 years of age.

The costs of care are highly variable. We realize that much of the care you receive from us must be paid for out-of-pocket and we are very aware that this care is expensive. The testing and treatment recommendations we make depend on your own personal circumstances of illness. We do not run a “one size fits all” program or protocol for diagnosis or treatment. We try very hard to provide you real value for the services we recommend. Having said all of this, it is typical for guests to incur costs in the first six months of care from us that range from $1,000 to $4,000 to cover provider visits, testing services, in-offices treatments, coaching services, supplements and medications. After this time, costs of care are normally much less as your care transitions to a “wellness program.” We will not perform any services that you do not agree to after understanding the reasons that they are recommended. Guests undergoing IV nutrient and other “special” services often exceed the above estimate range.

In order to serve our patients well we have a $150.00 cancellation fee. This will be applied to your account for missed appointments or cancellations made with less than a 24 hour notice. No refund will be given to same day cancellation and/or no show to any new patient appointment.

Outstanding balances, late fees and collection fees will be added to any outstanding balance and services will not continue until the balance is paid in full.

If there is a check returned for insufficient funds, there is a $20.00 fee for returned checks. Other late fees may apply.

Our clinic provides services in a consulting role. This means that we are only available for scheduled appointments during normal offices hours. We request that you also have a primary health care provider selected for urgent care and after hour needs. Our offices do not maintain an after hours answering service and we do not offer “on call” services.

Our providers recommend a variety of tests to help understand the root cause of your illness and how best to help you recover. Although we do not have a contractual relationship with any medical insurance provider, including medicare and medicaid, some of the tests we request may be reimbursable through your individual healthcare coverage. If this is important to you, please, consult with your payor before services are obtained to find out about coverage. We can provide documentation for you to submit upon your request. We are not staffed to obtain “prior authorization” for tests, treatments and services. Many of the tests and services our providers recommend are, unfortunately, considered to be “not standard” and therefore not reimbursable. Payment for some of the tests we obtain are payable to us at the time that they are ordered and other tests are billed to you by the third party laboratory performing the test. Fees paid to our organization for tests are not refundable. Some tests may be collected in our offices while other tests may be submitted directly by you. You may be charged a specimen collecting and handling charge for tests we request. Some test samples are obtained through the third party laboratory performing the test(s).

Feel welcome to contact our offices with any questions, we are happy to help you and address your inquiries and concerns.

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