Dr. Shay Herndon
Naturopathic Doctor (ND)
Frequently Asked Questions
Licensure
Why is it important?
Licensure is of utmost importance when considering alternative treatments and natural options. Many people think that if a person calls themselves a "naturopath" that they have graduated with a doctorate in naturopathic medicine and are certified by licensing exams, but that is NOT the case! A licensed naturopathic doctor is a primary care physician who is trained to diagnose, treat, prescribe. A "traditional naturopath" is not able to diagnose, treat, or prescribe! A “traditional naturopath” is not eligible to sit for board licensing exams because they do not attend an accredited medical school. Make sure to always check to see if your healthcare provider has graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school, passed a board exam, and is licensed for your safety! Dr. Shay Herndon is a licensed naturopathic doctor, attended a 4 year accredited naturopathic medical school, took and passed her licensing board exams, and holds a medical license to practice naturopathic medicine.
Insurance
What is covered?
Dr. Shay Herndon operates under a cash based practice and does not accept insurance. This is how she is able to spend more time with her patients and give individualized treatment options. In addition, she offers cash pay pricing for labs. This means that labs can be ran and paid for by the patient out of pocket. Naturopathic doctors may or may not be covered under health insurance. Many insurance companies may reimburse patients for labs and/or visits for out of network providers. Depending on individual insurance models, Dr. Shay Herndon may or may not be considered an "out of network provider." The only way to know if insurance will cover naturopathic care is to contact your insurance company. We can assist you by providing a detailed receipt upon your payment with information required by the insurance company for partial or total reimbursement, such as procedure codes, diagnostic codes, etc. You are responsible for obtaining a claim form from your insurance company and submitting it yourself. Patients may or may not receive partial or total reimbursement from their insurance company based on "out-of network" benefits.
Homeopathy
How can it help?
Homeopathic medicine takes a whole person approach to disease by focusing on physical, mental, and emotional issues. Acute and chronic illnesses manifest as symptoms in the body, and these symptoms are individualized depending on the person with the disease. Homeopathy takes this individualized information and uses that to select the best matched remedy. Homeopathic medicines are derived from natural substances of plants, minerals, and animals. It is safe, effective, non-toxic, and does not interact with other medications. Here are the theories that homeopathy is based upon:
Law of Similars or “Like Cures Like“
The approach that a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy people.
Law of the Infinitesimal Dose
Asserts that the more diluted a remedy is, the greater its effectiveness.
The Law of the Individual
Illness is specific to the individual, and so too is homeopathic treatment. Treatments are extremely individualized and chosen by the patient’s total symptom profile. It is common for different people with the same illness to receive different treatments based on this concept. Even you may need different treatments for the same illness you had last year! Think about all the times you have had a common cold. Were you tired and did your body feel heavy? Or did you have a cough and a sore throat? Did you feel irritable, or sad and weepy? This is how homeopathic medicine works!