FAQs

Functional medicine is designed to provide patient-centered and science-based care to identify and address the root cause of disease. And, because everyone is different, functional medicine practitioners look at you as an individual with a unique lifestyle, genetics, and environment to determine the underlying causes of illness or disease. This holistic approach provides a thorough and accurate picture of your overall health and how everything is working, or dysfunctioning, as an entire system. This might require several rounds of conversations with your practitioner to determine the cause of an illness and to find the best treatment option.

Functional medicine is ultimately about optimizing your health and quality of life in ways you never knew were possible, as opposed to treating symptoms once they have already appeared. In other words, getting well and staying well without unnecessary drugs and surgery.

Here are some key differences in which functional medicine allows for a personalized approach to your care:

Functional medicine practitioners address the root, or underlying cause of disease or dysfunction.

Functional medicine practitioners spend a considerable amount of time with their patients. This is due to the patient-centered approach that functional medicine uses, which means a high emphasis on understanding the patient's history, lifestyle, environment, and genetics.

Functional medicine runs more extensive lab tests and evaluates lab values from a much more narrow perspective than the standard lab ranges that is the basis for decisions and treatments based on high or low values. Functional medicine uses optimal lab values which can show dysfunctions in the body at the cellular level, years before a patient is diagnosed with a disease. It also allows us to find the root cause and treat that, rather than to simply manage your symptoms.

Functional medicine focuses on natural or holistic treatments rather than pharmaceutical interventions. The primary goal of functional medicine is to identify and address the root cause of diseases using a system-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. Sometimes medication is the most successful and appropriate treatment, but not always. Each person is unique and requires an individualized treatment plan.

Patient commitment is a crucial part of functional medicine. Treatment often includes changes in diet, lifestyle, exercise, and stress management techniques. These changes can significantly improve a patient's health, but they require a great deal of commitment and active participation. Essentially, the patient's active role and commitment are fundamental to achieving successful outcomes in functional medicine.

There is a difference between a functional medicine practitioner and a certified functional medicine practitioner. I am honored to be an IFM Certified Practitioner which means I attended The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) and is the only functional medicine organization accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). I am held to the highest standard of care for my patients. Through my extensive studies, I have gained advanced skills and competencies in the treatment of patients with complex, chronic diseases. Moreover, I am trained to think outside the conventional medicine box and look deeper for the root cause.

The Shoemaker Protocol is the leading treatment protocol developed by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker for Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), often triggered by exposure to mold and biotoxins. The protocol involves a structured series of steps, including removing the patient from exposure, using medications like cholestyramine to bind and remove toxins, and addressing related inflammatory and hormonal imbalances. It aims to reduce symptoms and inflammation by targeting the underlying causes.

I have undergone rigorous training and am a Shoemaker Protocol Proficiency Partner Diplomate.

The Shoemaker Protocol is not a quick fix, and entails a high level of patient commitment. But I can assure you - it works.

My practice is located inside of The Medicine Man’s Corner (2416 Dawson Road, Suite 4, Albany, GA 31707). During my two year certification process with the Institute for Functional Medicine, I came to develop a close relationship with Dr. Charlie Rouse, also known as The Medicine Man. Dr. Charlie and I have partnered together to bring world class comprehensive healthcare to our community here in southwest Georgia.

My practice is not intended to replace your PCP. My functional medicine practice is intended to fill the gaps and supplement what the conventional model of primary care is often lacking. I work in conjunction with your current health care team and should not be considered as a replacement for your PCP. I require all new patients to have a primary care physician to cover emergencies and routine care and screening. The advantage of functional medicine is the time afforded to take a holistic approach that considers the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of a person's health. I am only licensed in Georgia as a PA so will only accept patients in the state of GA.

Will Koopal Functional Medicine is not a participating provider in any insurance plan, therefore, my office does not accept or bill insurance. However, if requested, I will provide a detailed “superbill” for the services performed and you can submit this to your insurance carrier. Many patients find their particular policy provides for coverage with an out-of-network provider. It is your responsibility to check with your insurance company to review the coverage rules, requirements, and policies. An important exception is Medicare. My services cannot be billed to Medicare.

Patients may make appointments, but will need to pay for services in full when scheduling the appointment.

If you have a flex spending account or health savings account, then you may be able to apply your balance to the cost of all functional medicine visits and labs. Please check with your plan administrator to be sure before submitting the information.

I have designed my pricing to be transparent, inclusive, and affordable. There are no hidden extras or additional fees, so you won’t get any surprises.

My fees and what is covered in each appointment, is listed in detailed under the Services section of my website.

Cancellation Fee

I have a 72 hour cancellation and rescheduling policy. Your appointment must be canceled or rescheduled 72 hours prior to your appointment date or you will be charged a $50 no show fee.

To cancel or reschedule your appointment, please message me through the patient portal.

Cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, AmericanExpress, Discover, and your HSA (health savings account) or FSA (flexible spending account) cards are all accepted.

If you are using your HSA or FSA, please check with your plan administrator to be sure before submitting the information.

Financing Options

I accept CareCredit to help you finance and spread out your payments.

Standard lab tests are typically done once a year, and are not targeted to uncover the root issues.

To help get to the root, I utilize a variety of functional lab tests to measure biomarkers which are not routinely measured by traditional labs.

The number of labs recommended will depend on your individual situation. Because your body is an interconnected, complex web of interactions, it is not effective to simply look at the parts that seem to be going bad. Samples can require saliva, blood, urine, and stool. The range is 1-4 lab tests, and test results can take two to four weeks after receiving your specimens at the lab.

The short answer is yes, but only when appropriate to do so. I am not against medicine, however I am against medications being prescribed without understanding the full picture. Rather than simply prescribing a blood pressure pill to lower blood pressure, functional medicine practitioners want to find out why your blood pressure is high and correct that. I treat each individual holistically with the goal of restoring their overall well-being. This means that instead of treating the symptoms of a disease, I treat the root cause which is incredibly effective.

The timeframe for seeing results in functional medicine can vary greatly depending on the individual and the complexity of their health condition. Functional medicine focuses on addressing the root cause of your symptoms, not just masking them, which can sometimes take time. Some people feel dramatic improvement within the first month. Others may take a bit longer.

Together we will discuss your specific case and expectations. Remember, your condition didn’t develop overnight. Years of stress and illness take their toll and a proper amount of time is necessary to restore function. On average it takes one month of repair for each year you’ve suffered from a specific problem.

You likely will find that functional medicine is a different approach entirely and, when starting the journey, it is important to understand your role as a functional medicine patient. It takes time, commitment, and a financial investment in your health. You can take the Readiness Assessment to help measure your current health state, where you want to be, and if I am an excellent fit to help you get there. If you are ready to fully commit to your health and are willing to make strict dietary and lifestyle changes as needed, then please schedule a Discovery Session appointment.