FAQs

Integrative Medicine is an approach that combines traditional medical treatments with alternative therapies, focusing on treating the whole person. It emphasizes the importance of a partnership between the patient and healthcare provider to address not only symptoms but also underlying factors contributing to health issues. Integrative medicine considers lifestyle, nutrition, and holistic practices to promote overall well-being. This approach aims to provide personalized, patient-centered care that may include a range of evidence-based traditional and alternative therapies.

Roots Integrative Medicine is a cash-based, membership-based, direct primary care clinic. This model gives you more time with your provider, access to selective discounted supplements and other alternative healthcare modalities, and a more personalized healthcare experience that is not available through traditional insurance-based models. Unfortunately, traditional health insurance does not currently reimburse for prolonged patient visits and the integrative care that makes Roots special.

You can, however, use debit/credit cards and HSA dollars towards payments. We are also happy to bill your insurance for lab work and other additional testing. The only real monetary difference between Roots vs. a typical practice is payment for appointments with the provider, as well as select procedures. See comparison table below for more details on this subject.

Yes! For ages 1+, Roots can be your primary care provider. It is important to note, especially for pediatric patients, that prior to joining the practice, there will be a consent acknowledging that vaccines may be ordered by the Provider to be administered at a local pharmacy or SC Health Department, but will not be currently administered at Roots. If you refuse a vaccine for your child, you may be given a refusal form and informed consent to sign.

Also, while there will be an option for After Hours messaging, this will not be a 24-hour service. Any urgent messages sent after the assigned After Hours time ends (see times below), will not be answered until the following day and you should seek emergency care for yourself or your child during that time if needed.

*Typical Normal Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8am - 5pm

Friday: 8am - 12 noon

*Able to reach the office via direct messaging in patient portal (Charm) and/or a direct nurse phone line. Direct phone line is only available during normal business hours.*

*Typical After Hours Messaging Line:

Monday - Thursday: 5pm - 8pm

Friday: 12pm - 8pm

Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays**: 9am - 5pm

*Able to reach the on call Provider via direct messaging in the patient portal (Charm).

*Please note that the After Hours line is meant for more urgent messages that cannot wait for normal business hours. This is not an emergency line. For emergencies, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. After hours messages will be checked once every 1-2 hours and will be responded to in the messaging system. After hours messaging is subject to a $30 charge.

**Holidays: New Year’s Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day. The office may also be subject to other days off, for which you will be notified via email and social media pages promptly.

Yes! Roots can see ages 1+

Please see notes under "Can Roots Be My Primary Care Provider?" for more details

Yes! After 4 immediate family members join the membership at $30/month per person, the 5th+ immediate family members get a discounted rate of $15/month per person. Immediate family members are limited to 2 adults (ages 18+) per family. Roots office staff will use their best discretion when honoring the family rate.

Yes! Yearly physicals and wellness visits can be done at Roots for ages 1+. Referrals will be made as necessary per the Provider's discretion. Please see details under the Appointments page.

*Typical Normal Office Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 8am - 4pm

Friday: 8am - 12 noon

If there are any changes to these hours, you will be notified promptly via email and/or social media pages.

Yes! There will be a messaging line through ChARM Connect for after hours care. You can use ChARM Connect through an app on your phone (preferred) or the Charm patient portal on your computer.

*Typical After Hours Messaging Line:

Monday - Thursday: 4pm - 8pm

Friday: 12pm - 8pm

Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays**: 9am - 5pm

*Please note that the After Hours line is meant for more urgent messages that cannot wait for normal business hours. This is not an emergency line. For emergencies, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. After hours messages will be checked once every 1-2 hours and will be responded to in the messaging system. After hours messages will be billed $30.

**Holidays: New Year’s Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, Labor Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day. The office may also be subject to other days off, for which you will be notified via email and social media pages promptly.

Yes! We will do our best to fit you in as soon as possible for a sick visit. If you are experiencing severe or life threatening symptoms, you are to call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room. Please see details under the Appointments page.

Yes! We can also obtain urinalysis/urine cultures, rapid strep and flu testing, respiratory PCR cultures, EKGs, women's health exams, dermatology procedures, and more. Please see "Other Services" under the Appointments tab. Please contact the office for further questions.

Ozone Therapy has been around for approximately 150 years. Medical-grade ozone therapy involves using ozone, a gas made up of 3 oxygen molecules, for therapeutic purposes. It has the potential for several health benefits, including improved oxygenation, immune system support, and potential antimicrobial effects. There are hundreds and thousands of promising published literature on the safety and efficacy of ozone therapy. Overall efficacy may vary from person to person. Our staff at Roots has been properly trained and certified in the administration of ozone therapy.

Please see the Appointments tab for further details.

*Roots is not claiming that ozone therapy is used to treat or cure disease or cancer.

*This service can be offered to nonmembers as well. Please call the office to inquire.

IV Nutrient Therapy involves administering vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous drip. High-dose vitamin C, glutathione, and B-complex are often included. There are several potential health benefits, such as enhanced energy, immune system support, and antioxidant effects. Overall efficacy may vary from person to person.

Please see the Appointments tab for further details.

*Roots is not claiming that IV Nutrient therapy is used to treat or cure disease or cancer.

*This service can be offered to nonmembers as well. Please call the office to inquire.

Yes! Either GLP-1 (semaglutide) or GIP/GLP-1 (tirzepatide) weight loss injections are available for the Provider to order and administer at Roots Integrative Medicine. There are certain safety procedures that will take place before the Provider orders a weight loss injection, to include a consultation to review health history, potential risks and side effects, review of lab work, etc. Once informed consent and safety procedures are obtained, the Provider will send an order for the medication to be compounded by a specialized pharmacy and then administered at Roots.

Please see the Appointments tab for further details.

*This service can be offered to nonmembers as well. Please call the office to inquire.

According to federal regulations, this is prohibited. However, you can use your HSA dollars for office visits, supplements, ozone therapies, and IV nutrient therapy.

If you would like to cancel your membership, please send an email to info@rootsim.org requesting to do so. There is a $50 membership cancellation fee.

Yes! Non-patients can take advantage of services like:

- Integrative Health Coaching

- Micro-needling with PRP

- IV Therapy (including nutrients & IV Ozone)

- All Ozone Therapy Modalities (ear, sinus, rectal, vaginal, joint injections)

- Red Light Therapy

- Weight Loss Consults & Injections (Semaglutide & Tirzepatide)

- Methylated B12 Injections

- Supplement & Merchandise purchases (10% off for members which includes Biojuve Microbiome friendly skincare line)

All of these come with discounts for members (you can be a member without being a Patient!) Please view the Appointments tab for further details. Please contact the office for further questions.