FAQs
Do you accept insurance?
While I do not bill insurance, you are free to request reimbursement for my fees from your health insurance. After visits, you'll be able to download a document called a superbill from your patient portal, which contains all of the medical codes pertaining to your office visits to submit to your insurance company. Additional helpful information on superbills can be found here.
I am an out of network independent physician who works directly for my patients. This arrangement allows me to spend more time with you and the freedom to recommend what I feel is is best for you - not what is best for an insurance company's profit margin.
What is the cost of office visits?
An initial appointment costs $600.
Followup visits cost $250 for 30 minutes, or $350 for 45 minutes.
For patients desiring more time, or as an option for those who are travelling to see me from out of state, I offer an extended 2 hour visit for $850.
Where is your office located?
My office is at the corner of West Harrison Avenue and Pontchartrain Blvd in New Orleans. There is a set of stairs leading up to the office. Telehealth appointments are available to those who may have trouble with the stairs.
What is your policy on supplements?
There is a growing problem in integrative and functional medicine where practitioners generate income by selling the the supplements and lab tests they recommend to their patients. I think this practice is unethical because when practitioners rely on supplement income to run their businesses they tend to recommend more that a patient needs. This makes integrative medical care unnecessarily expensive, complicated, and sometimes hurts patients.
I recommend supplements to my patients from a company called Moss Nutrition. Moss Nutrition is a family owned business that has earned my trust over many years by formulating excellent and safe products that consistently help my patients.
To avoid the problems described above, my patients recieve 30% off all supplements from Moss Nutrition.
This discount comes out of my pocket from a commission typically paid to practitioners. I do this so that you can trust that when I recommend supplements it is because I think it will help you, and you don’t have to worry that I’m just trying to make money selling them supplements. You deserve a doctor that has your best interest in mind.
Should I have labs done prior to seeing you?
No, it is my policy never to order labs before seeing a patient, so I can do my best to make sure you are not wasting time or money on unnecessary testing. I am happy to review testing that has already been completed, then I will order any labs that I feel you need.
How do I ask Dr. Joe a question?
Patients are able to message me directly through the patient portal.
I do offer free discovery calls to give you a chance to ask me any questions about my practice - or simply to get a feel for if I am the right doctor to help you or your family. Please also feel free to email me directly at office@doctormather.com if you have specific questions or needs.
Feel free to book a free 15 minute discovery call to make sure my office is a good fit for you or to ask me any specific questions not answered here.
Does Dr. Joe write prescriptions?
Yes, prescription medications may be a part of your treatment plan.
Although there are many circumstances where lifestyle and natural treatments are my preferred way to help a patient there are other times when prescriptions are fastest and most efficient way to heal.
I don't write prescriptions for controlled substances.
I don’t live in Louisiana or Texas, can I become a patient?
Yes, patients regularly travel to my office to work with me.
LA & TX: May establish care in-person or through Telemed.
Other US States: State law requires that you are seen in person for your initial visit. Followup visits can be done through Telemed.
International Patients: Consults for those living abroad may be done through Telemed.
Do you treat children?
Yes! However, I’m not set up to act as your child’s general pediatrician with regard to well checks, vaccination schedules .
Do you offer acute care or urgent care services?
My practice has been built to focus on helping patients heal from chronic diseases and optimizing health. I see many people who have fallen through the cracks of the current system. I am not a good match for those who need acute medical care.
Do you need more information, or are you ready to get started?
Work with
Dr. Joe
My goal is to help you heal, and I have years of experience using both conventional and functional medicine to assist my patients. Because I've seen so many patients who have struggled for years trying to recover their health, sometimes spending tens of thousands of dollars chasing dead ends, I'm passionate about making functional medicine cost-effective and practical. If you are ready for a different approach to healing, I'm here for you. Make an appointment, and we'll get to work!