FAQs
Do you take health insurance?
NO, our office does not bill insurance. We do accept Health Savings Accounts (HSA) debit cards. We do not submit claims or call insurance companies directly. This is the responsibility of the patient. We do not participate with Medicare, nor do we bill Medicare for any services rendered. A patient can NOT submit superbills to Medicare for possible reimbursement.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Who is a typical patient?
Anybody who wants to take control of their own health! Patients vary in complexity and health goals. We help people with complex chronic disease such as autoimmune disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, arthritis, ulcerative colitis, thyroid disease, depression and anxiety (to name a few) to approach their disease with the goal of healing from the inside out. Many patients are able to tailor back their medications in this instance. We collaborate with the patient’s primary care physician and specialists before discontinuing medications.
We also assist patients who are otherwise healthy, but just “don’t feel right”. These patients may have seen multiple doctors, and their labs are all normal, however they are still plagued with fatigue, insomnia, mood disorders, brain fog etc. We use our advanced diagnostic testing to get to the underlying cause of these issues.
Do I need to keep my primary care doctor?
Yes. You are required to have a primary care physician. Participants in PeoplesLife group programs or independent online programs are in a health coaching program and are not patients of Dr. Peoples. Patients in the Membership will still need to maintain their primary care doctor. Dr. Nicole Peoples offers functional medicine consultation only and does not function as your primary care physician. You must have a primary care physician for yearly physicals, wellness visits and for after hours or urgent care purposes. We do not respond to urgent requests of any sort, including messages or phone calls, you must have a primary care doctor for this purpose.
I don’t live in Georgia. Can I still see you?
What if I am not sick?
The best time to start addressing your health is before you develop symptoms or are diagnosed with a “dis-ease”. Many people believe that illness is a natural part of aging. However, this does not have to be true. If you spend your life with poor health habits, then disease will develop over time and will present itself as you get older. If you employ healthy habits that meet your specific needs early, then disease can be avoided all together.
From personal experience, I know that making lifestyle changes that lead to optimal health can sometimes be challenging and confusing; but once you have the appropriate tools, living healthy becomes second nature. The key is to be proactive rather than reactive. It is much easier to prevent disease than to reverse it.
Why don’t you accept insurance?
Are lab tests covered by insurance?
Costs for blood work and specialty tests are NOT included. Most of the Functional Labs that are ordered in our practice are more comprehensive than labs you may have had before and are not covered by insurance. Lab prices can range from $150 – $550 per lab. These tests, however, are completely optional. We typically recommend labs only after you complete the group program as labs may not be necessary once you have reached your health goals through our programs. Want to purchase your own labs click here.
What is it like to work with you? What’s your process?
The first step in joining the practice is to complete a PeoplesLife Group Program. This lifestyle program is the most effective way to help you make sustainable lifestyle changes that promote health and is required* prior to becoming a patient of Dr. Peoples Functional Medicine Practice. Most potential patients will find that the majority of their symptoms are resolved with the program. I have found from experience that running labs and doing more advanced interventions are more effective once we have addressed the lifestyle factors that address the root causes of illness. Once you have completed your lifestyle program, if you continue to need more personalized support, you will be invited to join the membership. Only members have a formal patient-doctor relationship with Dr. Peoples.
One of the first steps to optimal health is understanding that health is not about just the absence of disease or quick fixes. In this world of toxic foods, toxic exposures and toxic thinking, we must take a comprehensive approach to healing our bodies. This does not happen in a quick 15min visit. The membership program will be tailored to meet your specific needs but will address some if not all of the following:
- Multiple virtual visits
- Access to online programs to guide you through behavior change
- A health coach to help you achieve your goals
- Developing a personalized nutrition plan
- Identify and treat nutritional, hormonal and gut imbalances that lead to chronic illness
- Addressing stress management
- Comprehensive functional medicine testing and review of labs
- Focus on natural non-invasive approaches
- Tracking your progress while tailoring changes along the way
- Personalized protocols and outlines on how to maintain health
*Dr. Peoples will evaluate on a case-by-case basis clients who would like to join the practice without going through the initial program. Please schedule a discovery call (insert link) for further inquiry.
I just want to start bioidentical hormones. Can I skip the group program and just become a patient?
What do treatments entail?
Our treatment focuses on lifestyle intervention, focusing on nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress reduction and optimization of relationships. Herbals and nutraceuticals/supplements may be prescribed to help support your body, based on personalized needs. Prescription medication may be prescribed as well, depending on disease and symptom severity. This truly holistic approach incorporates both eastern and western options. And is overall directed by the patient’s goals and preferences; within context of safety and efficacy for the health concerns being addressed. A trusting relationship between patient and practitioner is paramount and an extremely valuable tool available to promote health and healing. Time is spent cultivating this relationship to build mutual trust and respect. If you want to know if Functional Medicine is the right next step for you, book a complimentary discovery call to learn more.
Does Dr. Peoples prescribe prescription medication?
Yes. While I am a licensed physician and can prescribe medications as necessary, I tend to use medications as a last resort or a bridge until other strategies kick in. I do not change medications prescribed by other doctors. I am more than happy to work with your other doctors to develop a strategy that works best for you and to help taper you off medications you are currently taking.
What is Osteopathic Medicine?
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine. Emphasizing a “whole-person “approach to treatment and care, DOs are trained to listen and partner with their patients to help them get healthy and stay well. DOs receive special training in the musculoskeletal system, your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones. By combining this knowledge with the latest advances in medical technology, they offer patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today. Osteopathic physicians focus on prevention and on tuning into how a patient’s lifestyle and environment can impact their wellbeing. DOs strive to help their patients be truly healthy in mind, body and spirit — not just free of symptoms.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is an upstream approach of medical practice that focuses on identifying and treating the root cause of chronic illness rather than simply addressing symptoms with pharmaceuticals and surgery. The functional approach is truly Integrative, merging the best evidence-based practices in conventional and alternative medicine while emphasizing genetics, mind, body, spirit and environmental influences. This unique approach allows clinicians to work in partnership with patients to treat chronic medical conditions from multiple angles.
Is Dr. Peoples available for speaking engagements?
Yes, please schedule a complimentary discovery call.
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Dr. Nicole Peoples is a Board-Certified Physician based out of Atlanta, Georgia specializing in Functional Medicine.