FAQ's

Here are a list of commonly asked questions about Optimum Integrative:

• Do I need a referral?
• Does insurance cover the cost of treatment?
• What is Evidence-Based Medicine?
• Can the supplements you prescribe interact with my medications?
• What is the cost for treatment?

Do I need a referral?  No referral is necessary. Though, we do accept all referred patients regardless of age, gender, or condition.  A detailed health history from your other practitioners is invaluable in developing your specific treatment protocol.  

Does insurance cover the cost of treatment? In Ontario, most private health plans cover our services.  The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not fund naturopathic medicine, chiropractic, psychology or massage therapy, but does partially or fully cover midwifery.  Please contact us or your insurance provider for more information. 

What is Evidence-Based Medicine?  Evidence Based-Medicine (EBM) is a system of medicine where medical interventions are chosen based on the findings from scientific studies. Medical interventions shown to be effective in clinical trials are weighted based on the depth of information available and the scientific methodology used in the study.  The highest quality of evidence is meta-analysis and placebo controlled double blind studies, whereas conventional wisdom is considered the lowest.  According to the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, the levels of evidence are as follows:

• Level I: Evidence obtained from at least one properly designed randomized control trials.
• Level II-1: Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization.
• Level II-2: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case control analytic studies, preferably from more than one center or research group.
• Level II-3: Evidence obtained from multiple time series with or without the intervention. Dramatic results in uncontrolled trials might also be regarded as this type of evidence.
• Level III: Opinions of respected authorities, based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees

At Optimum Integrative, we strive to use the latest scientific research and the highest levels of evidence for all natural treatment interventions used.  

Can the supplements you prescribe interact with my medications? In short, yes.  Supplements have a pharmacologic action just like your medications, so they have the potential to interfere with the action of other medications you are taking.  This is why it is dangerous to self medicate with supplements.  Naturopathic doctors are extensively trained in supplement-medication interactions, and will ensure that anything we prescribe will be safe and effective according to the scientific literature.

What is the cost for treatment?