Frequently Asked Questions
What is Functional Nutrition?
Functional nutrition is an emerging science that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of chronic symptoms, and in turn, emphasizing a food first approach to health and wellness.
Click
here to learn more about functional nutrition.
What is a Board Certified Nutrition Specialist®?
Certified Nutrition Specialists (CNS) are advanced nutrition professionals certified by the Certification Board of Nutrition Specialists (CBNS). This certification is held by clinical nutritionists, physicians, and other advanced degree healthcare professionals with a specialty in nutrition. Certified Nutrition Specialists engage in science-based advanced nutrition therapy, research, education, and more, in settings such as private practice, industry, academia, and hospital systems.
To obtain this certification, an individual must hold a master’s or doctoral level degree from an accredited university, earn at least 1,000 hours in supervised training, pass a rigorous board exam, and complete 75 continuing education credit hours every five years to maintain certification.
To learn more about this certification, please click
here.
I don’t have a health condition, but I’m interested in nutrition advice. Are you able to help me?
Definitely! Prevention is the key to optimal wellness.
I encourage you to schedule a free
20-Minute Introductory Consult so I can assess your health goals and determine the best next steps for you!
I have a specific diagnosis. Are you able to help me?
Absolutely! In addition to seeking medical care, this is one of the best times to partner with a functional nutritionist!
I highly recommend my one-on-one consultation services for you. Through this consultation service, you will receive a personalized wellness plan that is tailored to your current health status and individual circumstances. To get started, I encourage you to schedule a free
20-Minute Introductory Consult with me.
In addition, to learn more about the health conditions that I support, you can view my areas of specialty
here.
How are consultations held?
All consultations are held via HIPAA-compliant video conference or phone.
Do you accept insurance?
Pooja Mahtani Wellness LLC is proud to be a direct care model.
Unfortunately, at this time, I do not accept insurance. My services are not considered healthcare services and are not reimbursed by insurance, Medicare, or any other third-party payor. I am unable to provide a superbill for you or file claims on your behalf.
If you do have insurance coverage that you would like to use, I encourage you to find a functional practitioner near you to work with in person as this is what insurance companies generally require, although laws vary by state.
To find a functional practitioner near you, please click
here.
Do you accept HSA / FSA?
Since Pooja Mahtani Wellness LLC is a direct care model, all services will be billed to you directly. You will need to check with your benefit plan administrator to determine if nutritionist services are eligible for reimbursement and under what circumstances. Many times, a benefit plan administrator will require a Letter of Medical Necessity that describes the reason for nutritionist services. This letter must come from a licensed medical physician.
A detailed instruction guide regarding HSA / FSA reimbursement is available upon request.
Is functional laboratory testing covered by insurance?
Functional laboratory testing is typically not covered by insurance. For this reason, as a client of Pooja Mahtani Wellness LLC, you will have access to direct test pricing. This option gives you access to functional laboratory testing at a reduced cost.
Can I use my HSA / FSA for functional laboratory testing?
Functional laboratory testing may be covered under your HSA / FSA. Every benefit plan administrator is different, so it will be important to check with your plan administrator to determine reimbursement eligibility.
A detailed instruction guide regarding HSA / FSA reimbursement is available upon request.
How much should I budget for functional laboratory testing?
On average, you will invest between $500 and $1500 on functional testing. As a client of Pooja Mahtani Wellness LLC, you will have access to direct laboratory pricing. This option gives you access to functional testing at a reduced cost.
Can I use my HSA / FSA for nutritional supplements?
Nutritional supplement products may be reimbursed through your HSA / FSA. Please check with your benefit plan administrator to determine reimbursement eligibility. A Letter of Medical Necessity that explains the reason for nutritional supplementation may be required. This letter must come from a licensed medical physician.
A detailed instruction guide regarding HSA / FSA reimbursement is available upon request.
How much should I budget for nutritional supplements?
On average, you will invest between $200 and $400 per month on nutritional supplementation. This is dependent on the length of time you have been dealing with your symptoms as well as the severity of your symptoms.
If you are participating in one-on-one consultation services with me, you will receive a 10% discount on professional grade supplements. This discount only applies to products available on Amrita Nutrition, Fullscript, and Wellevate.
Why do I have to pay for services in advance?
I will be spending a significant amount of time reviewing your client intake questionnaire, diet journal, and health records (if applicable) prior to your initial consultation. Payment in advance insures that you are committed to the consultation process and value the time required to develop a personalized plan which begins prior to your initial appointment.
Do you offer a monthly payment plan option?
Yes! I do offer a monthly payment plan option for my consultation services. Pricing details are available upon request.
What is your refund policy?
A detailed refund policy is available upon request.
What is your cancellation policy?
Regarding the 75-minute comprehensive initial appointment:
If you need to cancel or reschedule your comprehensive initial appointment, I kindly request that you give at least a 48-hour (two-business day) notice. Unfortunately, if a 48-hour (two-business day) notice is not given, or if you fail to show up for your initial appointment, a $100 cancellation fee will be assessed, and your appointment will need to be rescheduled.
Regarding a follow-up appointment or a 45-minute test interpretation consult:
If you need to cancel or reschedule either appointment, I kindly request that you give at least a 48-hour (two-business day) notice. Unfortunately, if a 48-hour (two-business day) notice is not given, or if you fail to show up for your session, your appointment will be forfeited.
Do you work with children?
Unfortunately, at this time, I do not work with individuals under 18 years of age.
Do you work with clients nationwide?
I offer virtual counseling services in the State of Pennsylvania where I am a Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist and in those states of the United States whereby individualized nutrition counseling is otherwise permitted:
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Hawaii
Idaho
Indiana
Kentucky
Massachusetts
Michigan
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
The services I can offer are contingent upon the dietetics and nutrition regulations of your state. Therefore, depending on your state, not all services advertised on this website may be rendered due to your state law. For more information, please contact me or refer to the map on the Center for Nutrition Advocacy website
here.
If your state is not listed above, I encourage you to find a functional practitioner that is located in your state. To find a functional practitioner near you, please click
here.
Do you work with clients outside the United States?
Yes! I do work with clients virtually in select locations worldwide. This is due to limitations related to functional laboratory testing access around the world. If you live outside the United States, and would like to work with me, I encourage you to schedule a free
20-Minute Introductory Consult with me. During this call, I will do my best to assess your health goals and determine what options are available to you.
What if I have questions after our consultation? What type of support is offered between consultation sessions?
I get it! It’s natural to have questions after a consultation session.
For quick questions between sessions, I offer unlimited text support. In fact, you can use the chat feature in your Client Portal to communicate with me. It’s secure, easy to use, and can be accessed through your computer or phone app. Please note that I respond to all inquiries and messages within three (3) business days.
Sometimes, however, in order to accurately answer your question(s), I may need to refer back to your health history, health records, laboratory test results, and/or supplement recommendations. If additional time and attention is required to address your question, I may ask that you schedule a follow-up appointment instead. As you can imagine, a consultation is usually more efficient and allows for mutual understanding of both the question and answer.
Rest assured, you will have support along this wellness journey!
How long until I may expect to see benefits?
Chronic health conditions sometimes take months, if not years, to develop. Similarly, it takes time to dampen the inflammatory response that is associated with most chronic illnesses and to bring your body back into balance. This is why I ask that we commit to working together for at least four to six months. Most clients begin to notice benefits within one month of implementing protocols, and significant benefits within six months of working together.
Can I also receive conventional care?
Yes, absolutely!
My services are not a substitute for medical care and do not include diagnosing and treating disease or prescribing medication. No aspect of my consultation process should be understood as a basis to avoid any diagnostic work-up or avoid, alter, or discontinue any medical treatment.
Instead, my services can serve as an excellent adjunct to a medical physician’s treatment. My services are intended to expand your consideration of available options and can assist in the use of natural means to support health. With that being said, it's important that you maintain regular visits with your primary care physician and medical specialists as appropriate to ensure proper medical care.
