Frequently Asked Questions

We have an extensive article on that subject here.

Like conventional health care practitioners, such as a medical doctor or a dentist, a naturopathic physician is required to successfully complete pre-medical studies at the university level. After being accepted into one of the accredited naturopathic medical programs, the naturopathic candidate must complete a four-year, full-time course of study. The training is similar to a medical doctor, including basic science and clinical courses, with an emphasis on scientific and traditional medical interventions. In addition to this training, the future naturopathic physician is extensively educated in the philosophy and implementation of safe and effective natural therapeutics with a strong focus on disease prevention.

During the course of this training, the candidate is required to pass two professional board examinations: one at the end of their basic science courses and one upon graduation. After completing their formal training, the graduating naturopathic physician also needs to satisfy all licensing requirements for the particular state or province where they set up their medical practice.

Naturopathic physicians are trained in the modalities of clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, vitamin/supplement therapy, homeopathy, IV therapeutics, physical medicine, and lifestyle counseling. They also order laboratory tests and imaging studies as appropriate and they regularly refer to specialists when needed.

For more information on this subject, please visit the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Colleges website.

The public should be aware that there are several organizations that allow people to obtain “mail order” or “correspondence school” ND degrees. These programs have haphazard standards with little to no hands-on training in clinical settings under the supervision of licensed professionals.

In states like Washington that require licensure, naturopathic clinicians are required to meet rigorous standards, including passing professional board examinations, before they are allowed to practice. Licensure sets minimum standards for education and training so that the public can be assured of the safety, effectiveness, and quality of these
healthcare professionals.

We have an article on that subject here.

This designation, which Dr. Piscopo has earned, is a certification awarded by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) in recognition of professional achievement. For more information, please visit the NCCAMOM website.

Of course. We strongly believe in assisting our patients in finding the best medical care services possible. For that reason, we maintain an extensive referral network and frequently collaborate with other medical professions in the community.

In the state of Washington, a naturopathic doctor is a licensed primary care provider, which is not true of a homeopath, herbalist, acupuncturist, or chiropractor. Homeopathy and herbal medicine are two modalities that naturopathic physicians are trained to use. A homeopath or herbalist may have more intensive training in these areas but they are not allowed to diagnose, order medical tests, and treat disease in the same way that naturopathic physicians are.

Yes, due to the recent expansion of our scope of practice, naturopathic physicians are able to prescribe most medications, with the exception of controlled substances. We are allowed to prescribe testosterone, however. Given our professional philosophy and treatment style, most of the medicines we use are based on natural substances. However, in order to provide important or timely medical interventions, we will utilize medications appropriate to the situation, such as antibiotics.

Please note that we do not prescribe controlled substances and have no interest in prescribing them, due to onerous medico-legal and management issues. We also do not prescribe medications that require specialized knowledge, such as chemotherapy drugs. For these kinds of interventions, we can be of service by making an appropriate referral.

Supplements are usually not covered by insurance companies. However, there is no sales tax on supplements if prescribed by a physician. If you have a health saving account, you can use it to pay for your supplements.

Here is a reply from the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medicine Colleges:

Today’s naturopathic physicians artfully blend modern, cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with ancient and traditional methods. These physicians are succeeding in their goal to present the world with a healing paradigm founded on a rational balance of tradition, science and respect for nature.

Because naturopathic physicians believe in understanding patients from the cellular-level up, they actively pursue the latest biochemical findings relating to the workings of the body and the dynamics of botanical medicines, nutrition, homeopathy and other natural therapies. Their diagnoses and therapeutics are increasingly supported by scientific evidence.

Please see our section on Insurance Information, which should address your questions. Currently, naturopathic services are not covered by Medicaid/Medicare.

The main reason there is no link to contact us by email is due to HIPAA regulations. Email communications that are HIPAA-compliant require expensive servers and other services that are beyond our current financial and technical capacity.

Not really. Each platform we tried had issues. For example, we found that Amazon.com has a massive problem with counterfeit supplements, so we are unable to go that route.

Another issue was that prices for supplements can fluctuate, and patients found it upsetting when prices went up without notice. We can control for that in-house, but not if the supplements are ordered directly online.  If you have a special order, we can have that order dropped shipped to you in many cases. Please call us for more information.

Missed appointments are extremely common and are the main source of lost opportunity and income for many clinics. Missed new appointments are especially damaging. That is because new appointments are 1 1/2 hours – that is a huge hole in a doctor’s schedule. It is also a missed opportunity for other patients who are sick and waiting to get in to see the doctor. That is why we, and many other clinics, require a deposit to hold a new appointment slot.

Due to the high demand for appointments, we ask you to value the provider’s time by keeping your scheduled appointment or canceling a minimum of one day before your appointment. Our office will assess a late cancel fee if you miss your appointment or cancel less than 24 hours before the appointment. The loss of your deposit or a late cancellation fee varies by the type of appointment.  Emergencies are an exception – we do not charge a cancelation fee for emergencies.