What is functional medicine?
Functional medicine is a personalized approach that aims to discover and address the root cause of symptoms and disease. It also involves an understanding that body systems affect each other and that lifestyle measures are essential for the optimization of one’s health.
Does the clinic accept insurance?
Gut Mend is a fee for service clinic that does not accept insurance. However, insurance invoices will be posted within 1 week of a clinic appointment. Patients may submit their invoice to their insurance company if they so choose.
What type of payment is accepted?
Cash, credit cards, and checks are accepted for patient visits and tests. Supplements purchased through GetHealthy.Store will involve payment via credit card.
Does Gut Mend accept payment plans?
At this time, we do not accept payment plans. Payment is due at the time of visit. In fact, it is encouraged to add a credit card before the first appointment to make payment easy and have more clinical discussion time.
Will Gut Mend serve as my Primary Care Clinic?
Though Dr. Chavez is a former Primary Care Physician, the clinic does not serve as a Primary Care Clinic. It is strongly encouraged that all patients have a Primary Care Provider.
How many lab tests do I need?
It is recommended that patients obtain a GI-MAP test, but additional testing may vary from patient to patient. With that being said, it is not required to purchase any tests. With that being said, patients are not required to purchase any tests.
Where do I need to get the lab tests done?
Other than the blood tests, the other lab tests require samples of saliva, urine, hair or stool which can be collected from the comfort of your own home and dropped off at the lab’s preferred postal service (USPS, UPS, or FEDEX) drop off location.
How long does it take labs to come back?
Please give 2-4 weeks for lab results to come back. A confirmatory email will be sent after the results of ALL the tests requested are ready for your next appointment.

Blood test results will be communicated via the patient portal. Please allow 7 business days from the time the blood was drawn.

Can I see my test results before the clinic appointment?
Other than blood tests, lab results will be discussed at the next clinic appointment. The results will be released on your patient portal after the appointment. Other than blood tests, lab results will be discussed at the next clinic appointment (appointment fees apply). The results will be released on your patient portal after the appointment.
Where do I need to purchase the supplements needed for my protocol?
After your appointment, you will be sent an e-mail and/or text from GetHealth.Store (the online dispensary) with the product information. You may then order your products and have them delivered to your home.
Can I purchase different supplements from the ones recommended on GetHealthy.Store?
The products recommended on Fullscript have been personally chosen for their high quality, specific dosages, and history of results. You may purchase products from other sources, but please make sure you research their quality thoroughly, as opinions on other products will not be provided.
How long is it going to take me to get better?
This varies from person to person and depends on how long a patient has felt unwell and how compliant they are with the program. Most individuals did not have their gut problems develop overnight and will not have healing overnight. Patience is essential during this process. However, it is important to note that compliance with your individual program will help to speed up the process.
How can I ensure that I have success with my particular program?
An accountability buddy, like a life partner, can help an individual improve their compliance especially with dietary changes.

Additionally, Health Coaches are very beneficial and are known to increase patient success. Recommendations of local Health Coaches can be provided on request. You may also go to this link to get signed up with a Certified Functional Medicine Coach: https://airtable.com/shrzVsisQhBLwSfSw

What if I forget what was discussed during a clinic appointment?
No problem. Every patient leaves with their personalized To Do list. You can keep it where you will frequently refer back to it (like on the refrigerator door). Additionally, handouts are often added to the patient portal under “Labs & Documents”.
I was alerted by email that I had a response to my message in the patient portal but I can’t find it. Where is it?
Responses to patient portal messages can be found under “My Visit Summaries”.
What if I have more questions after my appointment or need clarification?
You can use the messaging service through the patient portal. Please note that it is a non-urgent messaging service which is free. Responses will be under “My Visit Summaries”.
What if I have an acute issue like a cold or UTI?
Please see your Primary Care Physician or local Urgent Care Facility for acute issues. If more urgent, consider an evaluation at the Emergency Room of a hospital.