In California, insurance does not cover Naturopathic visits. However, basic blood tests can be ordered directly through PPO insurance plans if preferred. Some prescriptions such as B12 injections can be covered as well. Funds from an HSA or FSA plan can be used to pay for visits, supplements, and labs directly. Reimbursement for certain functional labs is sometimes possible using a Superbill, which patients can access directly. Patients are encouraged to confirm coverage with their insurance before using it to run labs. CPT and Diagnosis codes can be provided at the patient's request for this purpose. Note that there is no guarantee that labs will be covered and we do not have a coding and billing department to help with the process.

Not currently. Payment for visits is due at the time of booking. Payment plans are available for labs via Rupa.

No, lab costs are separate, and the results must be discussed at a paid visit. Finding the root cause of complex conditions can be costly up front, but the payoffs include disease prevention and a deeper understanding of your body that goes far beyond a conventional approach. Dr. Catalina understands the economic burden of out-of-pocket medical care and will work with your budget to come up with the most cost-effective plan. Not all labs have to be done at once. Dr. Catalina does not collect any profit from labs, which is common in the industry. All non-Labcorp labs are ordered by the patient directly via a convenient service called Rupa, which charges the wholesale lab price plus 7% in administrative fees. In exchange, Rupa handles payment, tracking the lab kits to you and back to the lab, and access to customer service to ask any questions about specimen collection.

By law, Dr. Catalina can only see patients who are located in California at the time of the visit.

A small percentage, but you as a patient will always receive 15% off the retail price. Dr. Catalina recommends ordering from dispensaries like Fullscript and Wellevate because of their high standards for quality brands that use third-party testing. This is important because supplements are not well regulated in the US. Many brands are found to contain deficient quantities, inferior forms, or extra ingredients not disclosed, which can make them less effective. That said, you are not obligated to use these dispensaries to purchase your supplements.

See Naturopathic Medicine

See Functional Medicine

As a licensed Naturopathic doctor, Dr. Catalina was trained in primary care and is a medical doctor. Additionally, she achieved high marks on optional examinations in pharmacology and minor surgery. However, the state does not yet recognize Naturopathic Doctors as "physicians." The California Naturopathic Doctor's Association (CNDA) is continually working to expand our licensure to be in line with other states. Dr. Catalina is an active member of the Professional Development Committee of the CNDA.

In California I can currently prescribe hormones (thyroid medications, progesterone, estrogen, DHEA, pregnenolone, hcg) and nutrients such as B12 or vitamin D injections, or iron infusions. The California Naturopathic Doctor's Association is currently lobbying to expand our licensure in order to allow for full prescribing rights, in line with other states