Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that is not answered below? Feel free to Contact Me and I'll be sure to answer!
What does it cost?
Rates as of January 1, 2022 |
In-Office / Virtual appointment fees: 60 minute new patient appointment (all ages) - $250 60 minute follow-up appointment - $210 45 minute follow-up appointment - $165 30 minute follow-up appointment - $110 15 minute follow-up appointment - $55 Vitamin B12 Injection (injection appointment only) - $35
**NEW** Home visit appointment fees: for those residing within 10 km of the office 60 minute new patient appointment (all ages) - $265** 60 minute follow-up appointment - $225** 45 minute follow-up appointment - $180** 30 minute follow-up appointment - $125** 15 minute follow-up appointment - $70** **For those residing 11-20 km from the office, there is an additional fee of $15 per appointment Miscellaneous fees:
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Can I Request a Prescription Refill Without an Appointment?
Often, yes! There is a prescription refill booking option that can be scheduled through the online booking site and I ask that you put in the note field your prescription name and strength, dosage, and preferred pharmacy. The fee for this refill request is $40. However, if you have are overdue for a follow-up appointment and haven't been assessed for a year or more, it's possible your request may be denied and you may be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment. If this happens, it is to keep you safe and to ensure your current medication and dosage are appropriate for you. Appointments for this purpose can be as brief as 15 minutes.
Often, yes! There is a prescription refill booking option that can be scheduled through the online booking site and I ask that you put in the note field your prescription name and strength, dosage, and preferred pharmacy. The fee for this refill request is $40. However, if you have are overdue for a follow-up appointment and haven't been assessed for a year or more, it's possible your request may be denied and you may be asked to schedule a follow-up appointment. If this happens, it is to keep you safe and to ensure your current medication and dosage are appropriate for you. Appointments for this purpose can be as brief as 15 minutes.
Why Do Home Visits Cost More Than In-Office and Virtual Appointments?
Time (both mine and yours) is valuable and the time I take commuting to and from patients' home locations means time I can't be treating other patients. Time patients do not need to commute means more time they can avoid traffic and be in control of their own schedules. Second, driving costs money. The modest fee increase in home visit appointments helps to off-set these two factors.
Time (both mine and yours) is valuable and the time I take commuting to and from patients' home locations means time I can't be treating other patients. Time patients do not need to commute means more time they can avoid traffic and be in control of their own schedules. Second, driving costs money. The modest fee increase in home visit appointments helps to off-set these two factors.
GST and Medical Tax Credits?
All naturopathic appointment fees are GST exempt. Recommended treatments involving natural health products are not tax exempt.
Naturopathic appointment fees are eligible to be applied to your medical tax credits in BC. Retain your receipts for services provided in order to claim them on your annual tax return.
All naturopathic appointment fees are GST exempt. Recommended treatments involving natural health products are not tax exempt.
Naturopathic appointment fees are eligible to be applied to your medical tax credits in BC. Retain your receipts for services provided in order to claim them on your annual tax return.
Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by Extended Health Plans?
Many extended health plans cover naturopathic medicine, although this can vary between individual plans. Be sure to check with your specific insurance provider to understand your coverage. Dr. Volk is able to offer direct billing in the clinic for some insurance companies and can provide patients with an itemized receipt that can be submitted for reimbursement to those not included, or for those being treated remotely. Currently able to bill directly through:
Many extended health plans cover naturopathic medicine, although this can vary between individual plans. Be sure to check with your specific insurance provider to understand your coverage. Dr. Volk is able to offer direct billing in the clinic for some insurance companies and can provide patients with an itemized receipt that can be submitted for reimbursement to those not included, or for those being treated remotely. Currently able to bill directly through:
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Are NDs covered by the Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP)?
Generally speaking, ND’s are not covered by MSP unless the patient qualifies for MSP premium assistance.
Here is an excerpt from the Ministry of Health website:
“For MSP beneficiaries receiving premium assistance, MSP contributes $23 per visit for a combined annual limit of 10 visits each calendar year for the following services: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy and non-surgical podiatry. For specifics on eligibility call Health Insurance BC at 1-800-663-7100.”
Generally speaking, ND’s are not covered by MSP unless the patient qualifies for MSP premium assistance.
Here is an excerpt from the Ministry of Health website:
“For MSP beneficiaries receiving premium assistance, MSP contributes $23 per visit for a combined annual limit of 10 visits each calendar year for the following services: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, naturopathy, physical therapy and non-surgical podiatry. For specifics on eligibility call Health Insurance BC at 1-800-663-7100.”
What to bring to your initial full appointment?
- Please bring with you all current medications and supplements for Dr. Volk to review.
- Please bring any recent or past labs or imaging results, as they can be valuable for your health assessment. In British Columbia, recent lab results can be accessed by registering for My Care Compass.
- New Patient Intake Forms must be completed in time for your initial visit, whether online or in person. These forms take about 20 minutes to complete and are done online. If you prefer to complete paper forms, please email us at hello@drericavolk.com to request the forms that you can print and complete by hand. Faxing or mailing in your forms 4-7 days before your appointment time allows Dr. Volk to review your health history in advance and ensures your appointment time is optimized. If you mail your forms, it is recommended that you keep a copy. You can also bring paper forms with you to your first appointment, if you prefer. Links to the online intake and consent forms are sent by email to new patients when they schedule their first full appointment.
I scheduled a 15-minute meet and greet. What should I bring?
Just bring yourself! This appointment is designed to meet Dr. Volk and to learn generally how naturopathic medicine might help you. Diagnoses and naturopathic treatments will not be recommended at this time. Diagnosis and treatment recommendations are determined based on a comprehensive history that will be collected at your first full appointment.
What takes place during the initial appointment?
At your first appointment, Dr. Volk will be collecting your medical history, which involves asking a lot of questions! She will ask about your current health concerns, past medical history, social history, family history, allergies, medications, supplements, and conduct a thorough head-to-toe review of systems. An initial physical exam will then be performed. You will leave the office with an initial treatment plan, which may include any number of treatment options listed on the services page. Patient preferences and values are supported and respected in developing her treatment plans. Dr. Volk will determine the duration of your treatment and timeline for follow-up visits on a case-by-case basis, depending on the complexity of your health concerns.
At your first appointment, Dr. Volk will be collecting your medical history, which involves asking a lot of questions! She will ask about your current health concerns, past medical history, social history, family history, allergies, medications, supplements, and conduct a thorough head-to-toe review of systems. An initial physical exam will then be performed. You will leave the office with an initial treatment plan, which may include any number of treatment options listed on the services page. Patient preferences and values are supported and respected in developing her treatment plans. Dr. Volk will determine the duration of your treatment and timeline for follow-up visits on a case-by-case basis, depending on the complexity of your health concerns.