Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if you are a good fit for your family?
We are happy to provide a complimentary 15 minute discovery call to prospective families to make sure the practitioner is a good fit for you.
What is the difference between an MD and ND?
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) undergo a rigorous education that closely parallels that of Medical Doctors (MDs), especially in the foundational years. The first two years of naturopathic medical school focus heavily on the same core basic sciences that MDs study, including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, embryology, and more. This gives NDs a solid foundation in understanding the human body and diagnosing medical conditions.
In the final two years, while MDs primarily focus on clinical sciences and pharmacological treatments, NDs expand their clinical education to include both conventional methods and holistic therapies. This includes advanced training in areas like clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, counseling, and lifestyle management, in addition to conventional medical tools such as pharmaceuticals and minor procedures.
NDs are trained as primary care physicians who emphasize treating the root cause of illness rather than just managing symptoms. They are required to pass two sets of national licensing exams, the NPLEX I for basic sciences and NPLEX II for clinical sciences after completing 4,100 hours of clinical training and in may cases a residency, ensuring they meet high standards of care in both conventional and naturopathic medicine.
Do you accept medical insurance?
As naturopathic doctors are considered out-of-network providers, our office visits are typically not covered by most insurance plans. However, we can provide you with a superbill that you may submit to your PPO insurance for possible reimbursement, depending on your plan's out-of-network benefits.
While our visits may not be covered, your insurance may still cover certain lab tests, imaging, and prescriptions, depending on the specific details of your plan. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to understand what is covered and your deductible requirements.
If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you may be able to use those funds to cover some of our services. Please check with your plan provider for more information.
It's important to note that Medicare, with or without supplemental coverage, does not cover naturopathic medical care at this time.
What if I have questions for my doctor in between appointments?
For non-urgent matters that pertain to your current treatment plan or a clarification from a recent visit, you can send us a brief message through your Patient Portal. We will get back to you as soon as possible, typically within 1-2 business days. Please note that if your inquiry requires more than 10 minutes to address, a 15-minute appointment fee will be billed.
In the coming months, we will be introducing membership plans that include messaging services, offering more convenient access to your doctor.
After-Hours Urgent Care:
We understand there may be times when you have concerns about your health or your child’s health when our office is closed. For urgent issues that cannot wait until the next business day, established patients are provided with an emergency contact number for after-hours situations. This line is available for urgent issues after 5:00 pm and before 8:00 am on weekdays, as well as weekends and holidays.
Please note there is a $75 fee for each after-hours call. We strongly encourage our patients to use the resources provided below for emergencies but recognize that our patients value our guidance for their children’s care.
Helpful Resources:
Poison Control: If you suspect your child has ingested something harmful, call the poison control center immediately at 800-222-1222 for assistance.
Urgent Cares and Emergency Departments: Please check with your insurance provider regarding coverage at local urgent care centers and emergency departments. We recommend verifying this information ahead of time to avoid unexpected fees.
24/7 Nurse Triage Services:
Many insurance carriers offer 24/7 nurse triage services. If you would like to utilize these services, please contact your insurance carrier directly:
Aetna: 800-556-1555
Anthem Blue Cross: 800-224-0336
Blue Shield of California: 877-304-0504
Cigna: 800-564-9286
Healthnet: 800-893-5597
What should I expect prior to my first visit?
Before your first visit, you will receive a set of consent forms and a new patient intake form. These forms must be completed and submitted at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. If the forms are not submitted on time, we may need to reschedule your appointment. This ensures that we have ample time to review your health history and prepare for a productive, comprehensive consultation.
Additionally, you should gather any previous medical records, lab results, and a list of current medications or supplements you are taking. This information will help us gain a full understanding of your health needs and tailor your care plan accordingly.
What if I need to cancel, reschedule, or miss a scheduled appointment?
When you schedule an appointment, that time is reserved specifically for you. At RegenND, we kindly request at least 48 hours' advance notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. There is no charge for rescheduling with more than 48 hours' notice. However, for cancellations made less than 48 hours before your scheduled appointment, or for missed appointments (No-Shows), your credit card on file will be charged a non-refundable $100 late cancellation fee.
This policy ensures that we can offer that time to another patient in need of care. Thank you for understanding and respecting our scheduling policies!
What if I am running late to an appointment?
Dr. Dugas is committed to running on time with scheduled patient appointments. If you arrive late, your appointment will still end at the originally scheduled time, and you will be charged for the full duration of the appointment. This ensures that we can respect the time of other patients who have appointments following yours. Please do your best to arrive on time so that you can get the most out of your visit.
What form of payments do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards and cash. We also take HSA and FSA cards!
Do you offer same day appointments?
Yes! We are committed to offering our patients excellent and timely healthcare. Acute concerns like sore throat, cough, stomach aches, rash, etc, are given first priority for same-day appointments when called in prior to 12:00pm.