***NEW*** practice changes FAQ

Why are you no longer accepting insurance? How long will you still accept my plan?

My commitment has always been to your health and well-being and, in that assessment, I have always included financial well-being; accepting insurance for the past five years has allowed me to remain in integrity with that vision. I also know that sustainability is what will allow me to continue providing the best quality healthcare to our community. Between low reimbursement rates, claim denials, and administrative overhead, it has become clear that it’s no longer a sustainable option for Vital Elements to bill insurance. For patients, the high deductibles and copays, cuts to Medicaid, lack of coverage of more personalized services, and various other shifting goalposts have made it clear that the system is really failing us all. Opting out of insurance allows a more personalized approach to your healthcare, free from the mandates of insurers. I understand that this change may significantly affect you and your family, and it was not a decision made lightly. My ongoing commitment to your care remains my top priority, and I encourage you to reach out to me if you are concerned about financial hardship.  Vital Elements Natural Medicine will be accepting insurance through September 30th, 2026.

Why are you raising your rates?

Since Vital Elements opened its doors in 2021, I have kept affordable cash pay rates that have remained unchanged, with sensitivities toward the needs of our rural community as we continued to navigate the pandemic and financial uncertainty.  My new rates reflect my 5-year-mark assessment of my services and experience, market standards, and business costs.  In order to best serve my community, I am renewing my commitment to balance sustainability and affordability.

Why is your no-show policy so strict?

I have updated my no-show policy to more fairly represent the cost of missed appointments, and to encourage a mutually respectful relationship where we are honoring one another’s time.  No-shows or cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice incur 100% of the cost of the visit, except in the case of a true emergency (serious accident, death of a loved one, natural disaster, severe injury or illness). Please understand this is a standard policy in most industries, and I cannot offer exceptions at this time. 

Are you offering sliding scale?

At this time I cannot offer sliding scale, but I will be offering 10% off your appointment cost if you pay cash, and will begin a new referral program: for every patient you refer to me, you get a $20 credit to your account, and so do they, which can be applied toward any appointment type. Please reach out to me if you’re experiencing financial hardship; we can almost always work something out.

What do I do if you’re my PCP?

You can still see me for all your primary care and prevention needs, but you may choose to secure an in-network PCP through your insurance plan if you need prior authorizations for referrals, or want to bill insurance directly for labs.  Please let me know if you need help finding a new PCP.  In general, I suggest contacting your insurance for a list of in-network providers. 

Can you still do my blood draws?  

Blood draws will continue to be available as fee-for-service for $25.

What are my options to pay for lab testing?

Screening labs drawn in my office will continue to be processed through LabCorp as self pay. The cost of a typical annual screening panel is approximately $350.  If you have insurance and want to submit a claim, I will provide you the diagnostic codes. There are also several direct-to-patient lab services online that may be more affordable (ex. Quest Labs through Fullscript), or you can secure an in-network PCP who can bill insurance for your labs.

Can you still refer me to another healthcare provider like a cardiologist or neurologist?

In general, I can still refer you to most other providers.  Occasionally, a referral must come from your PCP or will require an insurance prior authorization. Make sure to check with your plan to find out which referrals require pre-authorization.

What are superbills and will you offer them?

A superbill is a document used in medical billing that lists the services provided during your appointment. It includes your diagnosis codes, procedural codes, and my contact information, along with the dates and types of services provided.  It is neither a bill nor an insurance claim, it is a document you submit to your insurance to get reimbursed.  I am happy to provide a superbill to you. Note that reimbursement varies from none to partial, depending on the appointment type. Make sure to check your plan for more information.

Will you be offering any new services?

Please stay tuned; I have a few exciting ideas in the works—one of the many reasons I look forward to eliminating the insurance middlemen!General FAQ

General FAQ

Do you offer primary or specialty care?

NDs have a large scope of practice in WA state, and I can offer both primary and specialty care for patients age 18+. I do not see pediatric patients.

Do you have a dispensary? Where should I buy my herbs and supplements?

I do not currently offer a dispensary in my clinic. I recommend all patients wildcraft herbs when possible, and purchase all other supplements, herbs, and homeopathics from trusted (ideally local) sources, never Amazon (see my blog post for reasons why). Those include: PT Food Co-op, Dandelion Botanicals, Mountain Rose Herbs, Mountain Spirit Herbs, Helios, and Hahnemann Labs.

Can you send referrals to other healthcare providers?* Can you order imaging and labs?* What about alternative labs?

I can provide medically necessary referrals to other healthcare providers, such as physical therapists, gastroenterologists, OBGYNs, etc. I can also refer you for imaging such as X-ray, MRI, or CT. I perform phlebotomy in my office. Standard bloodwork is processed via LabCorp, and I also work with several companies that offer alternative/specialty lab testing.

Do you prescribe pharmaceuticals?

While my scope allows me to prescribe, I generally do not—with few exceptions. There are plenty of doctors out there who already practice within this framework. I specialize in getting people off their medications, and will only rarely suggest pharmaceuticals. Should you need prescription monitoring or refills, please work with your prescribing doctor. Should you want to explore other options, please contact me.

What is homeopathy?

Visit my blog to find out!

What is craniosacral therapy?

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on healing modality that uses light touch to manipulate bone structures and connective tissue in the body, providing relief for conditions such as chronic pain, TMJ, deviated septum, migraines, nervous system dysregulation, anxiety, tooth pain, sports injuries, back pain, fibromyalgia, and more.

How much do your visits cost?

Visit my scheduling page to learn more

What’s your cancellation policy?

All cancellations need to be made 24+ hours in advance of your appointment. All no-shows and late cancellations incur 100% of the appointment fee, except in the case of a true emergency (death, accident, serious injury or illness, or natural disaster). I employ a “three strikes” rule, which means if you cancel late or no-show three times, you will be dismissed from my practice and referred to another local provider. This is not because I’m a big meanie, this is to ensure that I can cover my operating costs and save appointment slots for patients who are able to keep appointment times.

What if I’m running late for my appointment?

Notify me by phone, text, or email as soon as you know you will be late. If you will be more than 5 minutes late for a 30-minute or 15-minute blood draw appointment, or more than 10 minutes late for a 60- or 90-minute appointment, I will reschedule you. I reserve the right to reschedule any appointment due to lateness. Please do your best to arrive on time.

How do you like to be addressed?

Well, thanks for asking! I prefer Dr. Northrop.