FAQs

Do you accept insurance?

I don’t bill insurance directly, but am happy to assist you in the process. You will pay me directly for services rendered and I will give you an itemized invoice with all the diagnoses codes and procedure codes, which you will send to your insurance company. Despite my efforts in helping you with reimbursement, I cannot guarantee that you will get reimbursement, so you may want to discuss this with your insurance company prior to your initial visit.

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How long are the appointments?

The initial appointment is very comprehensive and takes approximately 1.5 hours.

 

The follow-up appointments are usually 50-60 minutes.

 

In the interest of my long-term clients I do my best to reduce the frequency and time of sessions once you are stabilized and feel comfortable with our plan. We may get to the point where you may only need to check in once a month or even every 3 months…and then you will graduate! Yay for both of us! Success!

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How often are follow-up appointments?

The first follow-up is usually one week after the initial appointment and from there, based upon the individual and medical condition; appointments are normally every two weeks. Once the condition has stabilized and/or the client is on track, appointments can range from every two to four weeks.

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What should I do to prepare for the initial appointment?

• Download forms from Services page, fill out, scan as pdf's, and email back asap

• Email me your latest blood test results and any procedure/surgery results you have

• Use the 3-day journal to show me what your typical diet looks like - email the night before our appointment

• Be on your VSee or Zoom platform at the time of our session and I will initiate the meeting

 

What is your confidentiality policy?

All of your personal information and our conversations during sessions are completely confidential. If you were referred by your MD I will send a note to him/her indicating the health plan we have created together. I believe in collaborating with your team and if you have a complicated medical situation, I will speak with your doctors on your behalf so we are all on the same page.

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What are the office hours?

Since I am working remotely, I have very flexible office hours; normally Tuesday – Friday, beginning at 9am through 6pm, most days of the week. I also work 1-2 Saturdays per month for those who are too busy during the work week.

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What is the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist?

I love this question!

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A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) has been educated in the science of nutrition, food science, biochemistry, etc. and has a minimum 4-year college degree focused on nutrition – many have their master’s degree in nutrition. A dietitian has also completed a rigorous dietetic internship, which gives 900 supervised hours of experience in the in-patient and outpatient hospital setting as well as within the community. The successful passing of a very comprehensive examination must be achieved. A registered dietitian is required to have ongoing continuing education to keep abreast of the latest research in the field, with a minimum of 75 CEUs per 5-year duration. And finally, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), which keeps the patient’s interests in the forefront, governs the activities of registered dietitians.

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On the other hand, anyone (in the state of CA) can call themselves a nutritionist. They are not required to have any formal nutrition education or training and there is no governing body regulating their practices. That being said, your “nutritionist” could be very well educated or a complete amateur.

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Buyer beware! For your safety and well-being, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

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What makes you different from other registered dietitians in the area?

Based on the feedback I’ve received from clients who have worked with other dietitians in the area, I believe I stand out in many different aspects.

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• Firstly, I am not only a registered dietitian with my masters in Nutrition, I am an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner. I focus on all the systems of the body, treating you as a whole, not just your symptoms. I combine evidence-based medical nutrition therapy and integrative and functional nutrition to help my patients regain their vitality, by finding root causes of their health concerns, using a food as medicine approach, and encouraging a variety of mind-body modalities. My nutrition plans, supplement recommendations, and lifestyle modifications are personalized for the patient, based on their health goals. This is the future of nutrition and I am so excited to be at the forefront with this life-changing information.

• I work as a team with your other healthcare professionals to assure you are getting the best treatment based on your health status.

• I am professional, yet nurturing, and LOVE helping other people. My office has a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere; it is not a sterile medical environment, yet my extensive education is completely research-based. You are getting the best of both worlds.

• I make a plan that has been tailored to your food preferences and lifestyle so you will be successful. I don’t believe in “diets” and deprivation so I don’t have cookie-cutter diets that I prescribe to my clients. NO MORE CALORIE COUNTING! We work together to create a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle plan that you will be able to follow for the rest of your life!

• I want to be instrumental in assisting you in reaching your health-related goals and am realistic in knowing I cannot assist in all areas of your life; therefore, I oftentimes refer my clients to other exceptional healthcare professionals.

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Do you have telehealth appointments?

Absolutely. So many of my clients prefer telehealth sessions to save time on driving, parking, etc. You get to relax in your own home or office and have a private appointment. I will send you an invitation to VSee, a HIPAA-compliant video chat platform.

 

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am currently only doing telehealth appointments and have included Zoom and FaceTime appointments, along with VSee. 

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Do you work with all age groups?

I enjoy working with all age groups, from adolescents through geriatric. With my younger clients it is a family affair and I require a parent to be involved in the session(s). Once your children are teenagers I find it is beneficial to work with them privately and will share pertinent information with the parent, only with the teen’s permission.

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Can I contact you between appointments if I have a question?

Yes, if you have a quick question or need me to clear any confusion from a session I can be reached via text (310-994-7234) or for a quick chat or voice message, call my office phone number (310-828-3000). For multiple questions or a more in-depth discussion I would be happy to set up a 15-30 minute phone or email consultation.

 

If you send me an email, I recommend you text me for a quicker response. I receive hundreds of emails per day and they can get overlooked.

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Do you sell dietary supplements?

Yes, I am not a supplement pusher, but I sell high quality dietary supplements/medical foods and will assess if there is a need, based on the medications/supplements you take, your current medical/health condition, laboratory data, and the goals you are trying to achieve. There are so many supplement companies out there, but I have researched what I feel are the very best and that is what I offer to my clients. I may recommend supplements, but they are not required.

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