Frequently Asked Questions

A: No. Ascend Functional Health operates as a cash-based, self-pay practice, and we don't bill insurance for our services. We made this choice deliberately: when insurance companies dictate your care, coverage decisions come down to what's billable, not what actually gets you well. In our experience, insurance is built to be a safety net for acute, catastrophic events, not a pathway to full, lasting health. It typically approves the minimum treatment needed to keep a condition managed, not the full course of care needed to resolve it. That's not the outcome we're here to deliver.

A: Because insurance-driven care and root-cause care don't line up. Insurers reimburse based on standardized codes and short visit windows, which pushes clinics toward quick symptom management instead of the longer consultations, advanced diagnostics, and personalized protocols that functional and physical medicine actually require. Practices that stay outside the insurance system keep full clinical freedom to build your plan around your body, not around what a claims adjuster will approve. We've found that patients who invest directly in their health, rather than outsourcing that decision to an insurance company, get the best outcomes.

A: Yes. We intentionally built a range of pricing and payment options so cost isn't the barrier between you and getting well. Our team will walk you through affordable options during your consult, including our Ascend Total Care membership, so you can find a path that fits your budget and still gets you real results.

A: In most cases, yes. Functional medicine visits, advanced lab work, DEXA scans, chiropractic care, and many of our other services typically qualify as eligible expenses under Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. We recommend confirming your specific plan's eligible expense list with your HSA/FSA administrator, and our team is happy to provide documentation for your records.

A: Some patients with out-of-network benefits choose to submit their own claims. If that's something you'd like to pursue, ask our front desk about documentation for your visit. We'd just encourage you to call the member services number on the back of your insurance card first and ask directly what your out-of-network reimbursement looks like, since it varies widely by plan.

A: Functional medicine is a holistic, root-cause approach to health. Instead of treating isolated symptoms, we use advanced bloodwork, DEXA scans, and other diagnostics to identify the underlying shortfalls, often ones you can't feel yet, that are keeping you from feeling optimal as you age. From there, we build a plan around what your body actually needs.

A: We start by understanding your body's current dynamics through advanced bloodwork, stool examination, and DEXA scanning. This gives our physicians real data on inflammation, hormone levels, body composition, gut health, and nutrient status, not guesswork. From there, Dr. Alessi advises which anti-inflammatory protocol best fits you, customized to your specific labs and goals.

A: It depends on your body. Depending on the level of inflammation we identify, protocols typically range from 6 weeks to 6 months. Your provider will walk you through what to expect for your specific case before you start.

A: Yes. As partners in the practice, both Dr. Alessi and Matt actively use our functional medicine protocols themselves to enhance their own health as they age. We built Ascend around care we believe in and use personally, not just care we sell.

A: Our corrective care model is our Physical Medicine approach to chiropractic care. It combines spinal decompression therapy, SoftWave therapy (which uses acoustic sound waves to improve the body's natural healing process), chiropractic adjustments, trigger point massage therapy, and functional movement therapy to build core strength and stability around the spine and the entire body. Rather than treating one symptom in isolation, we correct the underlying mechanics causing it.

A: We've treated thousands of patients dealing with sciatica, lower back herniations, chronic stiffness, migraines, and neck issues, including what we call "tech neck" from too much time hunched over a phone or computer. If it involves your spine, joints, or the way your body moves, we can likely help.

A: It varies by condition and severity, and your provider will map out a specific plan at your first visit rather than give you a generic number. Many patients begin noticing improvement within the first several sessions of decompression and SoftWave therapy, while a full corrective care plan for chronic or long-standing issues is typically structured over several weeks to a few months.

A: Most patients describe SoftWave therapy as a pulsing or tapping sensation, and spinal decompression as a gentle, controlled stretch. Both are non-invasive, drug-free, and require no downtime. Some mild soreness over an already-inflamed area is normal and typically fades quickly.

A: Longevity medicine is our third pillar of care, focused on optimizing how you feel and function as you age. It includes hormone replacement therapy (HRT), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), medically supervised weight loss with GLP-1 and GLP-3 medications, peptide therapy, and other concierge medicine services tailored to your goals.

A: Candidacy is determined individually, based on your bloodwork, health history, and goals, not a one-size-fits-all cutoff. During your consult, our physicians review your labs and history together with you to confirm whether these therapies are appropriate and to build a protocol specific to your body.

A: These are physician-supervised medical treatments, and safety comes from proper diagnostics, dosing, and ongoing monitoring, not from doing it alone. Our providers use baseline labs and follow-up bloodwork to track your response and adjust your protocol accordingly. As with any medical treatment, your provider will walk you through expected benefits, potential side effects, and what to watch for before you begin.

A: Click "Book Now" on our website to see current availability. You'll fill out a short form with some basic information, and you'll then receive a few text messages from our team confirming your appointment time. We ask that you only book if you're ready and serious about moving your health journey forward, since appointment slots are limited and we want to reserve them for patients ready to take the next step.

A: Your first visit includes a full consultation, a physical exam or review of your health history and goals, and a clear explanation of findings and next steps. Depending on which pillar of care brought you in, this may include starting diagnostics like bloodwork, a DEXA scan, or a hands-on evaluation. You'll leave with a personalized plan, not a generic recommendation.

A: We require a $49 deposit to book, which is credited toward your appointment. Your time matters, and so does our doctors'. The deposit protects both, and helps make sure appointment slots go to patients who are ready to show up and move forward.

A: We ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to reschedule, so we can offer that time to another patient. You can reschedule by replying to your confirmation text or calling our office directly.

A: Yes. New patients are welcome across all three of our pillars, physical medicine, functional medicine, and longevity medicine. Book your consult through the "Book Now" button above to get started.