Frequently Asked Questions
Appointments can be made online through the website or over the phone by calling 207-200-6597.
It is expected that all patients will register for the patient portal online and fill out the questionnaire that they receive there prior to their first appointment. This information allows Dr. Buck to prepare for your visit and cuts down on "housekeeping" questions during the visit.
Please arrive on time for your appointment, if you are running more than 20 minutes late, you will be considered a no-show and you will forfeit your appointment for the day.
Refilling supplement prescriptions can be done through the online dispensaries at either Fullscript, Wellevate, or Wholescripts.
For prescription refills at a pharmacy, please call Dr. Buck's office and leave a message with the prescription to be filled and the name of the pharmacy where it is to be filled. Allow 24 hrs for the refill to be called into the pharmacy.
If an appointment is missed, it will be considered a no-show and a $50 fee will be assessed.
Cancellations are accepted up to 24 hours in advance of the appointment and can be done online through the patient portal email or via phone call to the office.
The first appointment is an information-gathering appointment where Dr. Buck will walk with you through your health history, she will ask questions, review recent labs, provide some education as needed, and perform necessary physical exams. Please expect that your first appointment will be about 90 minutes in length.
You are not required to bring anything to your first visit. Please do create an account and fill out the questionnaires in your patient portal prior to your first appointment.
If you have recent blood work or other labs that you would like to show Dr. Buck please bring those items or fax them in advance to 844-558-9774.
I currently do not take insurance, although starting on Jan. 1, 2019 a new bill called LD 1030 goes into effect, which will require that Maine-based insurances cover my services as an out-of-network specialist provider. Call the number on your insurance card to find out what your out-of-network benefits are.
Upon request, I will provide a Super Bill at the time of an appointment that you may submit to insurance and claim your out-of-network benefits.
LD 1030 FAQ
What is LD 1030? LD 1030 is a bill that requires private insurance companies doing business in Maine to have Naturopathic Doctors (ND) in network. Please be aware, insurance plans originating outside of Maine are not required to cover Naturopathic Doctors at the in network rate.
When Does This Go Into Effect? January 1st, 2019
Does That Mean My ND is Now Covered Under My Insurance? It depends. Your ND can choose if they want to contract with insurance companies. No one is required to contract in network with insurance companies. Therefore, they might be covered at the out of network rate if they are not contracted with a particular insurance company. You need to ask your Naturopathic Doctor if they participate in network with your insurance.
Does This Mean the NDs are Primary Care Doctors on my Insurance Plan? No, per our license we are most likely to be considered specialists on your insurance plan.
Is Medicare and MaineCare Included in This Bill? No, these are federal programs and not private insurance companies.
What About Supplemental Plans? This is complicated. Please work with your Naturopathic Doctor to see if you have coverage or can get reimbursed. There is no guarantee.
What about the ACA and Section 2706? You may have heard of this section of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It bans discrimination of provider type by private insurance companies. LD1030 is a better, Maine state specific law, that won’t be affected even if the ACA is removed or changed at the federal level.
What Happens if My Plan Says They Don’t Have Any NDs In-Network in 2019? Please contact the Maine Bureau of Insurance. They are responsible to ensuring compliance will all insurance law. Please contact MAND as well.
Does LD 1030 Have A Price Tag Attached? No, this bill does not cost the tax-payers of Maine nor does it use any federal funds. In fact, a Maine Bureau of Insurance study showed no increase in cost to insurance companies and might actually save them money.
What Do I Need to Do? Call your insurance company and ask if Naturopathic Doctors are in network and if you need a referral from your PCP. If you do need a referral we suggest the following language when requesting that referral: “I’d like to consult with a Naturopathic Doctor to coordinate care, could you please initiate a referral.”
