Frequently Asked Questions

Integrative medicine combines the best of conventional, evidence-based medicine with lifestyle and preventive approaches to promote long-term health and wellness. Rather than focusing only on treating symptoms, integrative medicine seeks to understand the whole person and identify factors that may be contributing to illness, including nutrition, sleep, stress, physical activity, and hormone balance.

At Sawtooth Integrative Medicine, my goal is to partner with you to create a personalized treatment plan that supports your health goals while using evidence-based therapies that are safe, effective, and tailored to your individual needs.

Choosing a healthcare provider is a personal decision, and my goal is to provide thoughtful, compassionate care that helps you feel heard, informed, and supported throughout your health journey.

At Sawtooth Integrative Medicine, I believe healthcare is most effective when it is personalized, collaborative, and focused on the whole person. Rather than rushing through appointments, I intentionally schedule longer visits so we have time to discuss your health concerns, review your history, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs and goals.

I combine evidence-based medicine with a root-cause approach, considering factors such as nutrition, sleep, physical activity, stress, hormone balance, and lifestyle alongside traditional medical evaluation. My goal is not only to help manage current health concerns, but also to support long-term wellness and disease prevention.

Sawtooth Integrative Medicine is not intended to replace your primary care provider. Instead, I work alongside your existing healthcare team whenever appropriate, providing specialized integrative care that complements the care you already receive.

Most importantly, I view healthcare as a partnership. I take the time to listen, educate, and work alongside you so that you feel informed, supported, and empowered to make decisions about your health.

Many health concerns are influenced by multiple factors rather than a single diagnosis. A root-cause approach looks beyond symptoms to better understand why a condition may be developing.

This may include evaluating nutrition, sleep, physical activity, stress, hormone balance, laboratory findings, and other aspects of your health. By identifying contributing factors, we can create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the underlying issues whenever possible while helping you feel your best.

I provide personalized care for adults with a wide variety of health concerns. While every patient is unique, common areas of focus include:

• Hormone imbalance

• Menopause and perimenopause

• Low testosterone 

• Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS, formerly PCOS)

• Weight management

• Obesity

• Metabolic syndrome

• Insulin resistance and prediabetes

• Fatigue

• Thyroid disorders

• Preventive health and wellness

• Healthy aging

If you're unsure whether your concerns are a good fit for my practice, I encourage you to reach out. I'd be happy to discuss whether Sawtooth Integrative Medicine is the right place for your care.

Yes. When appropriate, I offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) as part of a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan.

I evaluate and treat hormone-related concerns in both women and men, including symptoms associated with menopause, perimenopause, and low testosterone when clinically appropriate.

Hormone therapy is not right for everyone. Before making recommendations, I take the time to review your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and laboratory testing to determine whether hormone therapy may be a safe and beneficial option.

If BHRT is appropriate, we'll discuss the potential benefits, risks, and available treatment options so you can make an informed decision about your care. My goal is to create an individualized treatment plan that supports your long-term health and aligns with your personal health goals.

Yes. I work with patients to improve their metabolic health and achieve sustainable weight loss through an individualized, evidence-based approach.

Rather than focusing on quick fixes or one-size-fits-all programs, I work to identify the factors that may be contributing to weight gain. Depending on your individual needs, this may include evaluating nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, hormone balance, medications, and other aspects of your health.

Treatment plans are personalized and may include lifestyle modifications, laboratory testing, nutritional guidance, prescription medications when appropriate, and ongoing support to help you achieve and maintain your health goals.

My goal is not simply to help you lose weight - it's to help you improve your overall health and create lasting, sustainable changes.

Yes. I provide care for adult men and women throughout Idaho through secure telemedicine visits.

Whether you're seeking support for hormone health, metabolic wellness, preventive care, or other chronic health concerns, treatment recommendations are individualized to your unique health history and goals.

Yes. When appropriate, I prescribe medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

My philosophy is to recommend treatments based on the best available medical evidence while also considering nutrition, lifestyle changes, and other therapies that may improve your overall health. Every treatment plan is individualized, and medication decisions are made collaboratively with each patient.

Yes. Laboratory testing is often an important part of understanding your overall health and identifying factors that may be contributing to your symptoms. 

Depending on your individual needs, lab work may be recommended to evaluate hormone levels, metabolic health, thyroid function, cholesterol, blood sugar, nutritional status, and other areas. I review all results with you and explain how they fit into your personalized treatment plan.

To provide flexibility and help keep costs as affordable as possible, I offer a variety of laboratory testing options. I can order tests through Fullscript, which offers transparent, competitive cash-pay pricing with upfront costs and no surprise bills. I can also provide standard laboratory orders that you can take to the lab of your choice, which may allow you to use your health insurance benefits depending on your individual plan.

Appointments are conducted through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform that allows us to meet from the comfort of your home.

Before your appointment, you'll receive instructions for joining your visit. During the appointment, we'll review your health history, discuss your concerns, and develop a personalized treatment plan together. If laboratory testing or prescriptions are needed, those can be coordinated electronically.

Telemedicine allows you to receive high-quality medical care without the need to travel, making healthcare more convenient for patients throughout Idaho.

Yes. Because appointments are conducted through telemedicine, I am able to care for adult patients located throughout the state of Idaho.

As long as you are physically located in Idaho at the time of your appointment, we can meet virtually from wherever is most convenient for you.

Sawtooth Integrative Medicine currently operates as a cash-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly.

This model allows me to spend more time with each patient and focus on providing individualized care without many of the limitations often associated with insurance-based healthcare.

If you have out-of-network benefits, I am happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Reimbursement is not guaranteed and varies depending on your specific insurance plan, so I encourage you to contact your insurance provider to learn more about your out-of-network coverage.

If you have questions about payment or reimbursement options, please don't hesitate to contact me.

In many cases, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can be used for eligible medical expenses, including office visits. Coverage and eligibility vary by individual plan, so I recommend checking with your HSA or FSA administrator for specific details.

Most new patient appointments are one hour and cost $250. Most follow-up appointments are 30 minutes and cost $125.

Because every patient is unique, appointment length and fees may occasionally vary based on your individual healthcare needs.

Scheduling an appointment is easy. You can call, text, or email me directly, or submit the form on the Contact page. I'll be happy to answer your questions and help you schedule an appointment that best fits your needs.

If you're new to Sawtooth Integrative Medicine and would like to learn more before scheduling, I offer complimentary discovery calls*. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, discuss your healthcare goals, and determine whether my practice is the right fit for you.

*Please note that discovery calls are intended to answer general questions about the practice and services offered. Medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations are provided during scheduled patient appointments.

Your first appointment is designed to help me get to know you as a whole person - not just your symptoms.

We'll discuss your medical history, current concerns, medications, lifestyle, health goals, and any laboratory testing. Together, we'll identify priorities and develop a personalized treatment plan that may include lifestyle recommendations, additional testing, medications when appropriate, and follow-up care.

My goal is for you to leave your first visit feeling heard, informed, and confident about the next steps in your healthcare journey.