Whole Roots Health Overview
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine, rather than targeting individual symptoms, focuses on the optimal functioning of the entire body and its organs. It addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach in partnership with understanding the conditions and history in which the disease manifested. Environmental, nutrition, and lifestyle factors are evaluated and seen as the forefront of vital health. For more detailed information about FM, please check out our Functional Medicine page.
How does Acupuncture work?
Please see our page about Acupuncture.
What types of conditions do you treat?
Brianna Browning specializes in Hormones, Fertility, and Digestive Health. She also treats a wide range of chronic pain and injuries.
I don’t live in Truckee/Tahoe, can you still help me?
Absolutely. Online video consults are available for patients. We can do an extensive medical, nutrition, and lifestyle review, order labs, prescribe a treatment plan, and check in periodically all virtually.
Patient Confidentiality & Privacy Practices
We comply with the law concerning the privacy of your health information, HIPAA. This is a short summary; the full-length explanation of HIPAA is available to you with the link below.
Brianna Browning, LAc does not share your protected health information (PHI) with anyone other than with an entity that you agree to share information with. When you establish as a patient, your are required to sign a form, By doing so, you agree to allow us to use your information for pertinent reasons: products and services, healthcare operations, and billing for payment of products and services. These reasons are fully described in the “Notices of Privacy Practices.” This type of information includes your name, social security number, birth date, address, insurance company, phone numbers, your health history questionnaire, and any and all related medical charting in regards to products or services we provide to you.
Patients can request to have anyone accompany them in the room during treatment. The patient then acknowledges that personal health information may be shared with this person. We do not share your PHI with anyone else in the clinic other than those listed here or pertinent staff of the clinic for the purpose of clinic operations.
We have the right to contact you by phone, mail, or email if you list this information in your consent form. This contact could be regarding scheduling, promotions, or other pertinent reasons of the clinic, but we will not give PHI to anyone else as a result of these types of contact.
Consultation Process
What is the best way to schedule an appointment?
The fastest and easiest way to schedule an appointment is by using our online scheduler in the Patient Portal. If you are having difficulty using the online scheduler, you can email brianna@wholerootshealth.com or call 530.563.5252.
What is included with the initial consultation?
75-90 minute visit consists of a comprehensive medical history and evaluation, physical exam, acupuncture, and treatment plan. Herbal/nutrient prescriptions, diet/lifestyle/environmental suggestions and lab tests will also be considered.
Is lab work required and if so, how many to get started?
Lab work is never required, however, we may highly recommend it when we feel it necessary to properly evaluate your condition and progress. There is a lot that can be discovered with a comprehensive evaluation alone, so we can always get you started on a treatment plan without labs.
What is a typical course of treatment?
This varies greatly depending on your specific health status and how committed you are to making significant dietary and lifestyle changes. For Acupuncture, we typically begin with a 6-12 session program and then re-evaluate. Functional Medicine programs typically range from 3-12 months.
Costs & Insurance Coverage
Do you take Insurance?
Yes and No. We can bill for Acupuncture ONLY. We cannot bill for comprehensive FM consults, lab work, lab reviews, or nutrition counseling. Brianna Browning is currently IN-Network with United Healthcare ONLY. All other insurance companies will be considered as OUT-of-Network. For those policies, we provide the necessary paperwork for the patient to submit for reimbursement. This is not a guarantee of coverage.
Can I use my HAS or FSA?
Yes. Health Savings Accounts and Flex Spending Accounts can be used for treatment, labs, and most of the time for medically necessary herbs and supplements. We can provide your insurance company with a medical necessity report if requested.
What are your non-insurance rates?
Please see our Rates page.
Does insurance cover functional labs?
We do not bill insurance for lab testing as we have found they are rarely covered. We provide all patients with the lowest rates available in lab testing and do not mark up our prices as hospitals and insurances do.
Does insurance cover herbal medicine and supplements?
No, herbal and nutrient prescriptions are not covered by insurance. When medically necessary, most health savings accounts can be used.
What do the functional labs cost?
Functional lab testing of saliva, stool, and urine typically run from $100-$400.
How long are the consultations?
Initial Consultation is 75-90 minutes. Follow up visits are 60 minutes. Lab Reviews are 30-45 minutes and can be done in person or virtually.
What is your cancellation policy?
We have a 24 hour cancellation policy for all appointments. Cancellation with less than 24 hour notice will be charged 50%. No shows without notification will be charged the full amount.
Background / Communication
What is Brianna Browning’s medical education background?
Brianna obtained her Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, CA. She is National Board (NCCAOM) certified as a Diplomate of Acupuncture, holds a California state acupuncture license, an IFM trained Functional Medicine practitioner, and is Board Certified as a Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine (ABORM). In addition to her formal education, she apprenticed for 3 years with Dr. Maureen Rozenn studying women’s health, fertility, and prenatal care. She has been licensed and practicing integrative medicine for 10 years.
What do LAc and FABORM mean?
Licensed Acupuncturist and a Fellow of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine.
Is Brianna Browning an MD?
Brianna Browning is not a Medical Doctor; she does not service medical emergencies, diagnose or issue protocols for any specific diseases, or prescribe pharmaceuticals. If you have a medical emergency, you must contact your primary care physician or dial 911.
Can I email Brianna with questions and concerns?
Brianna Browning is happy to answer brief questions via email you may have about your protocol or symptoms. If it is a complex question which requires further back and forth communication, she will recommend scheduling a 15 min. phone consult.
If so, what is the time frame in which I should expect an answer?
Whole Roots Health is committed to responding within 48 hours with the exceptions of holidays and when Brianna is traveling. During those we will let you know there is a delay in responding. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should contact your primary care provider or call 911.
What should I do if I am struggling to stick to my treatment plan?
We understand that nutrition and lifestyle changes can be challenging. We are here to help you along your journey. We can set you up with nutritional and health counseling, modify your treatment plan, and do weekly check-ins to keep you motivated, inspired, and accountable.