FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About Consultations With Megan Murphy-Rouse, MS, CN, CAP
CAN I MEET WITH YOU IN PERSON OR ONLY ONLINE?
Currently my private practice is open online only. Although our meetings are remote, I find that video consultations still offer an impactful, meaningful, convenient and effective way of connecting.
HOW DO I PAY FOR MY CONSULT?
Direct payment via credit or debit card to Root Vitality is required at the conclusion of your appointment with Megan. Credit cards are kept securely on file and will be automatically charged at the conclusion of your visits. Fortunately, HSA funds can be used for medical nutrition therapy. (Please refer to your unique HSA plan requirements for details on HSA fund application for nutrition care).
DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE?
At this time Megan is not contracted with any insurance companies apart from ASD HMA. However, we would be happy to provide a superbill for your to request reimbursement from your insurance company for Megan's services. Most major insurance plans such as Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United and Aetna do cover services from registered dietitians. Often medical nutrition therapy is covered partially or for a limited number of visits or for some select diagnoses only. Please note the act of your submission of a superbill to your insurance in no way guarantees coverage for Megan’s services but it can sometimes help cover a portion of, or even all of your costs - depending on your plan. Please check with your insurance company to be certain. Ask about benefits for: (1) out-of-network nutrition (2) nutrition visits that are conducted via telehealth.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
For both rescheduling appointments and cancelling appointments, 24 hr notice is required to receive a full refund. If notice of cancellation or rescheduling is received less than 24 hrs prior to your scheduled visit, you are responsible for 50% of the cost of your visit. If appointments are canceled with 12 hours of less notice, you will be charged in full for the time reserved for your visit as I will not be able to fill your spot in such short notice. Finally, if you are more than 15 minutes late to your appointment, it is considered a "no show" and your total visit fee will be charged and your appointment rescheduled.
HOW LONG SHOULD I EXPECT TO WORK WITH MEGAN?
It depends on the complexity of the health condition you are wanting to address. Some conditions require more of a long-term focus and others are resolved more quickly. Generally, my clients work with me for about 6 months to 1 year, and others on an ongoing basis for maintenance. After our first consult together, once I’ve gotten to know your history in depth, I can give you my best estimate for the timeline we can expect given your unique presentation, level of commitment and resources.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I EXPECT TO WORK WITH MEGAN?
It depends! What I see most often is that at the beginning my clients tend to benefit from visits about every 3-6 weeks to attain good momentum and progress towards their goals. However, if you are a person who enjoys regular support and accountability you may decide to do appointments every 1-2 weeks for 1/2 hour visits. Sometimes visits of greater frequency but less duration can really help keep you on target, especially as you're first starting out. Either way, after therapeutic goals are met and stabilized, generally we will not need to meet as regularly. We may decide to meet every 3-6 months for maintenance, support and making adjustments to your already well-established routine. Bottom line is that we will decide together what seems best for YOU considering your goals, progress, motivation and resources.
WHAT ABOUT SUPPLEMENTS?
In general, Megan judiciously uses supplements and herbs, only when she believe they will make a substantial impact on your wellbeing and contribute to the resolution of symptoms or root causes of dysfunction. Megan uses evidence-based recommendations of supplements that are well researched and fit your unique needs. Supplements are designed as a bridge to help you achieve your health goals - not typically, for you to stay on indefinitely.
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Megan has a privately curated online dispensary called "FullScript." This is where you can securely purchase professional grade supplements that I recommend for you. Not all supplements are created equally. Each supplement company that I use has been thoroughly vetted. Her dispensary hold products stocked directly from the companies who make them so you can be assured they are not counterfeit, out of date, or improperly stored. And most importantly - because we only use the highest quality supplements, you can be sure that what your supplement bottle says it has in it, actually does! You will also get free shipping on supplement orders that are over $50 and from FullScript. Other neutraceutical companies outside of FullScript do have an additional shipping fee.
WHAT ARE MEGAN'S AREAS OF CLINICAL SPECIALITY?
Megan's passion lies in two main areas: (1) gut and (2) hormones.
Gastrointestinal:
IBS and SIBO/IMO, GERD, Heartburn, Bloating, Gas, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Food Sensitivities and Intolerances, Celiac Disease, Peptic Ulceration, Intestinal Yeast Overgrowth, as well as Gallbladder and Pancreatic problems and general dysbiosis of the microbiome.
Hormones:
Impaired female fertility and other hormonal conditions such as: PCOS, Hashimoto's, endometriosis, low ovarian reserve, high FSH, anovulation, premature ovarian insufficiency, luteal phase defect, recurrent pregnancy loss, unexplained infertility, perimenopause, adrenal dysfunction, chronic vaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Megan also works with issues that may arise in pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, insomnia, iron deficiency etc.
Impaired male fertility and associated conditions such as poor semen parameters, adrenal dysfunction, poor detoxification, high DNA fragmentation index, low testosterone, insulin resistence and recurrent miscarriage in female partners.
Other:
Megan works frequently with blood sugar regulation issues (hyper or hypoglycemia), weight management, and repairing fractured relationships with food and Self.
WHAT IS MEGAN'S APPROCAH TO CARE?
Megan's clinical approach blends the cutting-edge science of Functional Medicine Nutrition with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. She helps individuals identify the underlying cause(s) of imbalances in their bodies that are perpetuating dis-ease. I emphasizes nutrition and lifestyle as primary, foundational interventions, having a food-first approach. As a whole, she utilizes Functional Medicine, Nutritional Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Nutraceutical, and/or Botanical therapies with the aim to correct the root cause(s) of imbalance so that healing can unfold naturally. Megan takes on a team approach in her style of counseling - working with you to co-create a plan that works in the context of your life and that best suits your unique needs. Megan works at your pace, honoring the process that it is to restructure one’s nutrition and lifestyle choices step by step.
WHAT ARE MEGAN'S CREDENTIALS?
Megan holds a Masters degree is in Functional Medicine and Nutrition. She is a Certified Nutrition Specialist® with the American Nutrition Association and a Licensed Dietitian. She is also a National Ayurvedic Medical Association Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner. She has done extensive post-graduate education with the Institute for Functional Medicine completing all advanced practice training modules and additional training outside of IFM in fertility and GI health.
DO YOU GUARANTEE I'LL GET BETTER?
I wish I could! What I can guarantee for you though, is my total dedication to supporting your mind-body-spirit in recovering its innate balance. Healing is a journey, and it is often not straightforward. My job is to commit myself fully to investigating what may be holding you back from realizing your Root Vitality and try my absolute best to provide you with the tools you need to make progress in reclaiming that. If you are working with me, you can expect that I will be doing whatever I may need - diving into the scientific literature on your condition, taking seminars digging into more details on the matter, etc. - to offer you the most comprehensive care possible. That, I can guarantee! I can also say with confidence that the people I work with get RESULTS! Check out my "stories of transformation" page.