Frequently Asked Questions—The Mend Wellness
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Your initial consultation is 60–90 minutes and includes a comprehensive review of your health history, current symptoms, lifestyle, and goals. Before your visit, you'll complete comprehensive intake forms and upload any recent lab work so we can optimize our time together. You'll leave with clear next steps and a personalized set of lab orders.
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Complete your intake forms, upload any lab results from the past year — even if you were told they were normal — and have a list of your medications and supplements with doses. It also helps to write down your top three health concerns beforehand so we can make the most of your 60–90 minute visit.
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No. You do not need a referral to see Kristin. As a nurse practitioner, she can see you directly, diagnose, prescribe medication, and order lab work without a referral from another provider.
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Click "Book a Consultation" on any page and fill out the contact form.
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Please cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice incur a $75 fee. Extenuating circumstances are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Getting Started
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No. This is a cash-pay practice, and payment is due at the time of service. We provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance carrier for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan, and reimbursement is not guaranteed.
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No. Lab testing is not included in the cost of your visit. Lab orders are written by Kristin and processed through your insurance, with the laboratory billing you directly. Your out-of-pocket cost will depend on your insurance plan and deductible.
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A superbill is an itemized receipt containing the diagnosis and procedure codes your insurance company needs to process an out-of-network claim. You submit the superbill to your insurer yourself, and any reimbursement is paid directly to you.
Cost & Insurance
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Functional medicine looks for the underlying cause of symptoms rather than treating each symptom separately. It uses comprehensive testing to understand how your hormones, metabolism, nervous system, and nutrient status interact, then addresses the root of the problem through a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle change.
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Yes. Nurse practitioners are licensed to diagnose conditions, order and interpret laboratory testing, and prescribe medication. Kristin is licensed in both New York and Connecticut.
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The main differences are time and depth. A typical primary care visit runs 10–15 minutes, while visits here are 60–90 minutes. We also order more comprehensive testing and interpret results against optimal ranges rather than the broad reference ranges used to flag disease.
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No. This care is designed to work alongside your primary care provider, gynecologist, or specialists — not replace them. We're happy to coordinate care and share results.
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All visits are currently conducted virtually. Kristin is licensed to treat patients located in New York and Connecticut. In-person visits will be available again in the future.
About Functional Medicine Care
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Yes. PMOS stands for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, the updated name for what was previously known as PCOS. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine endorsed the name change in May 2026 following a global effort involving 56 patient organizations and a survey of 22,000 respondents, with women who have the condition helping drive the change. The new name reflects that it is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder rather than a condition defined by ovarian cysts.
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Early signs of perimenopause can include disrupted sleep, waking at 3 a.m., increased anxiety or irritability, weight gain around the midsection, brain fog, heavier or more painful periods, and shorter cycles. Perimenopause often begins in your late thirties or early forties, and cycles can remain regular for years. Because of this, early symptoms are frequently attributed to stress instead.
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Perimenopause is the transition when hormones fluctuate and symptoms begin. Menopause is a single point in time — 12 months after your final period — and everything after that is postmenopause. Although “menopause” is commonly used to describe all three stages, the distinction matters clinically because treatment differs by stage.
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Yes. Kristin works with men experiencing fatigue, low libido, loss of strength, weight gain around the midsection, poor sleep, or mood changes. Hormonal decline in men is frequently attributed to age or stress rather than investigated. We test testosterone, thyroid, cortisol, and metabolic markers to better understand what's driving the change.
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We are not a fertility clinic. We support fertility by optimizing hormones, correcting nutrient deficiencies, and regulating cycles — foundational work that supports conception. We do not provide IUI, IVF, or other assisted reproductive technology. If you need those services, we can work alongside your fertility specialist.
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We treat physiological drivers that can underlie anxiety and depression, including cortisol dysregulation, thyroid dysfunction, hormonal shifts, and nutrient deficiencies. This care is designed to work alongside therapy and psychiatric treatment, not replace it. If you're in crisis or need psychiatric care, we'll help you find appropriate support.
Conditions & Health Concerns
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No. You can work with us visit by visit. Programs are available for people who want more structure, including weekly educational content, more frequent visits, and ongoing nervous system and lifestyle support between labs.
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Programs include medical care, while the 90-day challenges are self-guided educational courses. Programs include lab testing, diagnosis, prescribing, and one-on-one visits with Kristin. The 90-day challenges include video lessons and worksheets, are available to anyone, and do not include medical care.
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Start with an initial consultation. We'll review your history and labs together and determine whether you need a focused three-month plan or longer-term support.