Frequently Asked Questions About Integrative & Functional Medicine

Common questions are answered below. If you have others, feel free to contact us at admin@innateintegrativemedicine.com.

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What is Integrative Medicine? What is Functional Medicine?

Integrative Medicine is a healing-oriented approach that considers the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — and all aspects of lifestyle. It blends the best of conventional and complementary therapies, using evidence-based treatments from a variety of traditions to promote optimal health and healing. The goal is to empower patients with the tools to achieve their best possible health — not simply to manage disease. Functional Medicine is a systems-based approach that looks for the root causes of disease, rather than focusing solely on symptoms or individual organs. It explores the complex interactions between genetics, environment, and lifestyle. Treatment plans are personalized and may include nutrition, movement, stress management, targeted supplementation, and selective use of medications to restore health and optimize physiology. Both approaches are prevention-focused, whole-body, and collaborative — helping patients take an active role in their own healing.

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Why would I need an Integrative Medicine doctor?

Many patients are already using both conventional and complementary therapies — but they often struggle to find a physician who understands how to combine them safely and effectively.

At Innate Integrative Medicine, we provide physician-led, whole-body care that connects the dots between systems, identifies root causes, and supports long-term health — without dismissing either conventional or complementary approaches.

See our Conditions Treated section for common reasons patients seek care here.

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Can you be my primary care doctor?

We serve as a consultative, integrative practice — not as a replacement for your primary care physician.

We encourage all patients to establish and maintain an ongoing relationship with a PCP as the quarterback for your care, for health maintenance, and services such as cancer screenings, vaccinations, and acute care. Our role is to serve as a consultant and optimize your health in collaboration with your broader healthcare team.

We do not provide routine screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, or urgent care services. 

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Do you accept insurance?

We do not accept insurance for physician visits, as most insurance plans do not cover the scope of functional and integrative care.

We can provide a Superbill for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Insurance may be used for lab testing and prescriptions, when appropriate. We commonly use Quest Diagnostics and Rupa Health, among other labs.

We recommend checking with your insurance provider for coverage details. Many patients choose to use HSA/FSA funds for visits and testing.

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What should I expect?

All patients begin with a new patient introduction call to ensure this will be a good fit.

You’ll then schedule an Initial Consultation (60–90 minutes), which includes a deep dive into your personal and family history, lifestyle, and health goals. We’ll outline any recommended testing and build an initial plan.

After results return and you’ve begun the plan, a Follow-Up Visit (30–45 minutes) is scheduled to review progress and refine recommendations.

From there, patients have the option to join the practice membership for ongoing support and adjustment of their plans, or to simply follow up as needed. 

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What types of lab testing do you offer?

We review any recent labs you’ve had (within 3–6 months) at your Initial Visit.

We may then order personalized lab panels, which can include:

• Advanced cardiometabolic markers

• Inflammatory markers

• Hormone testing

• Micronutrient status

• GI-MAP (stool microbiome testing)

• NutraEval

• Genetic testing

• Biologic age testing
  ... and more, based on your physiology and goals.

Lab recommendations are individualized — we’ll discuss options in detail during your visit.

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Do you make money from lab tests or supplement sales?
No. We want you to feel confident knowing that our recommendations are made with your health as the top priority. We do not receive any commission or financial incentives from labs or supplement companies—our guidance is 100% focused on what we believe will best support your unique needs.

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Do you offer virtual appointments?

Yes — we offer HIPAA-compliant telemedicine for patients across Texas.

You can meet with Dr. Shah from home or office — no time off work or travel needed.

In-person options available upon request.

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Why is the intake health questionnaire so detailed?

Our intake form is intentionally comprehensive — because we take a whole-body, root-cause approach.

We want to understand not only your symptoms, but also your full health history, lifestyle patterns, stressors, and environmental factors. This depth helps us identify subtle contributors to dysfunction and create truly personalized care plans.

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Do I need a diagnosis to see you?

No formal diagnosis is required.

In fact, many chronic diseases — diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmunity — develop over years of subtle shifts before diagnosis.

Our goal is to help you:

• Uncover root causes of symptoms

• Understand your risk factors

• Optimize health and resilience before disease develops

• Or support healing if you already have a diagnosis

Many patients say: “I didn’t realize how off I was feeling — until I started feeling better.”​

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Do you prescribe medications for weight loss? 

Our primary focus is optimizing lifestyle, nutrition, reducing inflammation, movement, stress resilience, detox pathways, and correcting deficiencies.

In select cases, after putting in the working with us on the primary causes for holding on to weight, medications such as semaglutide or exenatide may be used — within a comprehensive plan, with informed consent and ongoing monitoring. 

Patients must commit to:

• Pre/post body composition testing (DEXA preferred)

• Regular follow-ups to ensure safety, muscle preservation, and nutritional adequacy.​

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Do you prescribe hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

We do not directly manage long-term HRT. However, we routinely run hormone panels, provide guidance on whether HRT may be helpful, and support your body’s balance while your OB/GYN or endocrinologist oversees therapy. This partnership of conventional care with integrative support is central to our practice.

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How much should I expect to invest?

Your first two visits are where the some of the most important work happens. Unlike the constraints of a 15-minute office visit, our physician spends several hours before and after your appointment carefully reviewing your history, prior records, and lab results. This allows us to identify patterns, uncover root causes, and create a plan that is truly personalized to you.

The follow-up visit ensures we don’t just hand you a plan and leave you on your own—it’s where we connect the dots with your lab results, refine your recommendations, and make sure you feel confident moving forward. This upfront investment sets the foundation for long-term results and ongoing support.

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We aim to be fully transparent with pricing:

• Initial Foundational Visit + Follow-Up package: $900

• Practice Membership: $150/month for a minimum of 6 months (follow ups included)

• Follow up visit without membership (30–45 min): $250

Lab testing, supplements, wearables, and body composition testing are additional.

We will always discuss options with you and pass along any discounts available from our partners.

See Pricing for full details.

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How do I access my labs and visit notes?

We use Healthie for our electronic records and scheduling.

You’ll have access to a secure patient portal, where you can:

• View visit notes and lab results

• Message Dr. Shah directly

• Manage billing and appointments

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How can I learn more?

Feel free to:
📞 Text us at 214-308-5983
📧 Email us at admin@innateintegrativemedicine.com

We’d love to hear from you!