FAQs

What can I expect from my first visit?
First office consultations are typically 45-60 minutes. Dr. Cole will take a detailed health history, address your top 2-3 concerns and complete any indicated physical exam or in-office lab testing. Further information gathering after the first visit may include requesting medical records from other providers and ordering laboratory testing. Should you have copies, please bring your most recent lab work to your first appointment.

You will then schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. Cole to review testing results or other requested records and discuss a naturopathic plan for addressing your health concerns.

Can Dr. Cole serve as my primary care physician?
Yes, in Washington State Dr. Cole serves patients as a primary care physician. However, make sure to check your specific insurance plans as in certain managed care systems, naturopathic physicians can only serve as specialists and will require a referral.

Can NDs prescribe medications?
Yes. NDs in Washington State have full prescriptive rights, with the exception of scheduled drugs.

Does Dr. Cole accept insurance?
No. All fees are due at the time of service. Cash, check and all major credit cards are accepted.

My insurance offers Out-of-Network benefits for Naturopathic Services. Can I see Dr. Cole?
Yes. Dr. Cole will provide complimentary billing to your insurance company so that your Out-of-Network insurance benefits may be used.

Will my insurance cover the cost of prescribed herbal and nutritional supplements?
No. However, many flexible spending plans (e.g. HSAs) allow coverage with a physician’s prescription which can be given to you upon request.

What type of training does a Naturopathic Physician receive?
A licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) has attended a Department of Education accredited, four-year, graduate level naturopathic medical school, and successfully passed a series of rigorous, national licensing exams, so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care physician.

The curriculum in naturopathic medical school parallels that of conventional medical school including 4 years of basic and clinical science education. In addition to learning the standard of care in medicine, naturopathic doctors take additional coursework in clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, psychology, counseling, and other holistic approaches to health care.