APPOINTMENTS
Sessions are by appointment in advance and are available Monday through Friday starting at 8 a.m., with some evening hours. Please schedule your appointment carefully, at a time convenient for you. I encourage patients not to schedule so tightly that they become stressed about time during the appointment.
The initial visit includes a comprehensive health history intake and a treatment; please allow one hour and thirty minutes for this appointment. Follow-up visits are typically one hour. It is most ideal to arrive neither very hungry nor overly full and to avoid scheduling a strenuous activity immediately after a treatment. I request that your cell phone be turned off during each session.
Because of scheduling constraints, if you are late for an appointment, this time will be considered part of your session, so you will have less time for the actual treatment.
CANCELLATIONS
Your appointment time is reserved especially for you. If you find it necessary to change or cancel an appointment, 24 hours notice is requested or you will be charged the full amount for a missed session. Failure to show up for an appointment incurs a charge for the full fee.
CONFIDENTIALITY
I hold in the strictest confidence all information that you provide. Your comfort, sense of trust, and assurance of privacy are paramount. I acknowledge that for some, receiving acupuncture can be very personal and sometimes intimidating as a first-time experience. My objective is to offer a professional, soothing, safe environment. The session is considered your time to receive the best possible care, and my approach will always be to honor you as an individual and serve you as a professional, caring practitioner.
ILLNESS
I prefer that you do not come for a session if you are ill with a fever or excessive coughing or sneezing due to a cold or flu. Under these circumstances the benefits of acupuncture are limited and in fact can stress an already-taxed body. Please call me to discuss your health status if you question your ability to receive treatment.
FEES FOR SESSIONS
Please call me at (360) 752-0457 for current rates. Fees are payable in full by check or cash at the time of the appointment. This office is set up to take direct payment only, not credit or debit cards.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your situation and whether acupuncture can help you.
INSURANCE
I am a preferred/participating provider for the following insurance companies:
- Premera BC/BS
- LifeWise of Washington
- Health Plus
- Dimensions
- MSC Traditional
- MSC Preferred
- MSC Care
- MSC Prime Care
- Uniform Medical
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Reliant PS
Prior to your first visit you should check with your carrier to determine:
- if you are covered for acupuncture;
- whether you need a physician’s referral for treatment or can determine this for yourself;
- if there are any limits on the number of visits you’re allowed per year (often 6 or 12); and
- the amount of your co-pay.
Please have this information plus your insurance card with you for your first visit. If you’d like assistance with determining your coverage, please call me and have your insurance ID number at hand.
Unfortunately, Group Health and Regence BC both closed their doors at least 10 years ago to acupuncturists moving to Washington state. Therefore, I am not a provider for these two insurers.
Medicaid and Medicare do not cover acupuncture.
If you have questions or concerns, please feel at ease in discussing these with me. My office number is (360) 752-0457. Please leave a message and I’ll call you back just as soon as I’m able.