{"id":1790,"date":"2026-07-27T18:06:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T01:06:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/?page_id=1790"},"modified":"2026-07-27T18:06:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T01:06:30","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

FAQ<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Questions Worth \nAsking<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n

Answers to what patients most often want to know before their first appointment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
\n

about the practice<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
What is a naturopathic doctor?<\/h5>

Naturopathic doctors complete a four-year graduate-level program that includes core medical sciences alongside training in clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and other naturopathic therapies. In British Columbia and California, NDs are licensed and regulated health professionals. My scope of practice includes physical examination, ordering and interpreting labs, diagnosis, and prescribing medications where applicable.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
What does MSCP mean?<\/h5>

MSCP stands for Menopause Society Certified Practitioner. It's a designation awarded by The Menopause Society (formerly NAMS) to clinicians who demonstrate expertise in menopause care through a rigorous examination. It means this isn't a side interest \u2014 it's where my clinical focus is.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
Who can book an appointment?<\/h5>

This practice sees patients in California via telehealth only. You must be physically located in California at the time of your appointment. If you're in British Columbia, I see patients there through a separate practice.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
Do you prescribe medications?<\/h5>

Yes. Where prescribing is within my scope and appropriate for your situation, I can prescribe \u2014 including hormone therapy. I also integrate non-prescriptive approaches and work collaboratively with other members of your care team when relevant.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
\n

perimenopause & menopause<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
How do I know if I'm in perimenopause?<\/h5>

Perimenopause is a clinical diagnosis, not a lab result. Many women are in perimenopause for years before they recognize it \u2014 irregular cycles, disrupted sleep, mood changes, and brain fog are common early signs. A single FSH or estradiol value is rarely diagnostic on its own. Part of an initial visit is making sense of your symptom picture in the context of where you are in this transition.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
Do you prescribe hormone therapy?<\/h5>

Yes, where it's appropriate. I can evaluate, prescribe, and manage menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) for eligible patients. This involves a thorough review of your symptoms, health history, and relevant labs \u2014 not a quick script. If you're already on MHT from another provider, I can also take over your management or offer a second opinion.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
My doctor told me hormones aren't safe. What do I do with that?<\/h5>

The evidence base for hormone therapy has evolved considerably since the early 2000s, and the conversation about risk is more nuanced than it's often presented. That said, MHT is not right for everyone. A big part of what I do is review the current evidence with you and help you understand your individual risk picture \u2014 so that whatever decision you make, it's an informed one. Non-hormonal options are also very much on the table.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
What if I'm postmenopausal, is it too late?<\/h5>

No. Many of my patients are postmenopausal and come in because their symptoms were never adequately addressed, or because they have concerns about bone health, cardiovascular risk, or genitourinary changes that developed quietly over time. It is not too late to have a proper assessment and a thoughtful plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
\n

appointments & logistics<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
How do telehealth appointments work?<\/h5>

No. Many of my patients are postmenopausal and come in because their symptoms were never adequately addressed, or because they have concerns about bone health, cardiovascular risk, or genitourinary changes that developed quietly over time. It is not too late to have a proper assessment and a thoughtful plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
How long is an initial consultation?<\/h5>

Initial consultations are 60-75 minutes. Follow-up appointments are typically 30 minutes. If you have a lot of history, labs, or prior records to go through, it helps to send those ahead of time so we can use the visit time efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
Can I send my labs and records before the appointment?<\/h5>

Yes, and I encourage it. Reviewing prior labs, imaging, or specialist notes before we meet means we spend the visit time on you \u2014 not on me reading documents. Instructions for sharing records are included in your booking confirmation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
\n

fees & insurance<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
Do you accept insurance?<\/h5>

This is a fee-for-service practice. I do not bill insurance directly. On request, I can provide a superbill you can submit to your insurer for potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan. If you have an HSA or FSA, those funds are typically eligible for this type of visit.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
Can I use my HSA or FSA?<\/h5>

In most cases, yes. HSA and FSA funds can generally be used for medical visits with a licensed provider. I'd recommend confirming with your plan administrator, as rules can vary.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?<\/h5>

Cancellation and rescheduling policies are outlined during booking via OliHealth. Generally, cancellations with sufficient notice can be rescheduled without a fee. Late cancellations or no-shows may be subject to a fee.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Not sure where to start? An initial consultation is the right first step. We'll figure out together what's most relevant for your situation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n
Book an Initial Consultation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n

CALIFORNIA \u00b7 TELEHEALTH<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Ready to get started?<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

California telehealth \u00a0\u00b7\u00a0 Now accepting new patients<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Book an Appointment<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1790","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nFrequently Asked Questions • Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Frequently Asked Questions • Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/drellireilander\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/index.php\\\/frequently-asked-questions\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/index.php\\\/frequently-asked-questions\\\/\",\"name\":\"Frequently Asked Questions • Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-28T01:06:30+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/index.php\\\/frequently-asked-questions\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/index.php\\\/frequently-asked-questions\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/index.php\\\/frequently-asked-questions\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Frequently Asked Questions\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP\",\"description\":\"Menopause Society Certified Practitioner \u2014 Vancouver Island & California Telehealth\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/drellireilander.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Frequently Asked Questions • Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Frequently Asked Questions • Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP","og_url":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/","og_site_name":"Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP","article_publisher":"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/drellireilander","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/","url":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/","name":"Frequently Asked Questions • Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-07-28T01:06:30+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/frequently-asked-questions\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Frequently Asked Questions"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/","name":"Dr. Elli Reilander, ND, MSCP","description":"Menopause Society Certified Practitioner \u2014 Vancouver Island & California Telehealth","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P88U3T-sS","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1790"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1790\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1805,"href":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1790\/revisions\/1805"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/drellireilander.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}