Naturopathic Family Medicine

Each year at NFM we choose a local charity for which we can all join together to donate during the holiday season. This year, we have decided to go as local as possible by contributing donations to one of our own, the Warwick family.

Krystal is a mother of 3 young children and was initially diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor earlier this year, when her youngest baby was just 6 weeks old, and her boys were 2 and 4. After rounds of radiation and a difficult surgery, she is doing quite well and trying to live her life enjoying her family and friends each and every day.

Happily, our NFM family has already donated $639.50 to the Warwick's medical bills in addition to organic formula and supplements. We are now asking for additional help for one last Holiday Giving push! Please consider the following as donations to the Warwicks this Holiday Season: DIAPERS (size 4 in seventh generation, size 3 in any other brand), TOYS (especially for little girls), GROCERIES (as gift cards for QFC, PCC, Whole Foods, etc.), and GAS (gift cards) or COSTCO GIFT CARDS. We have a collection box ready for you at NFM, you can drop off your donation at anytime we are open.

If a monetary donation is more your style, then donations can be made at any CHASE BANK branch, Account #2976735882 or mailed directly to the Warwicks at 12907 4th Dr SE, Everett, WA. 98208.

Please read more about Krystal's amazing life journey at www.titusandfam.blogspot.com. Happy Holidays everyone!

Join us to say goodbye to Dr. Bridge and hello to Dr. Deegan on Friday October 28th from 5pm - 8pm. We will have wine and hors d'oeuvres for adults as well as halloween treats for the kids. Kids in costumes welcome!

As we wrote about in our blog last October, Aetna Healthcare made several changes that have been very unfavorable towards naturopathic physicians. Aetna decreased our reimbursement rates beginning 12/1/10, and is now the worst payer towards ND's. Their reimbursement is at least half of many other companies. Despite writing letters, Aetna has held firm to their belief that we as ND's are being "more than adequately compensated for our services". We have been discussing what to do regarding our "in-network" status with Aetna since this time, and have finally decided that we will be terminating our contract with them, effective 06-07-2011. This has been a very difficult decision for us as we so deeply value the established relationship we have with you and your family! We are on your team, and yet we also need to keep our doors open so that we may continue to provide you with the level of care you deserve.

So, what does this mean for those of you with Aetna? We will be "out of network" providers for Aetna as of September 7, and will continue to be able to provide care for you utilizing your out of network benefits. Although you will be required to pay in full at the time of service, we will provide all necessary paperwork for you in a postage paid, addressed envelope to send directly to Aetna. Depending on your benefits, you will be reimbursed a portion of your out of pocket expense. This is often 60%, although you will need to call the customer service number on the back of your card to clarify what your individual "out of network" benefits are.

For example, if your visit is for a chronic or complicated issue, and lasts 20-35 minutes; your visit will likely cost $152.00. If your out of network reimbursement is 60%, Aetna will send you a check for $91.20. Therefore, your total out of pocket expense is $60.80.

If you are coming in for an acute, uncomplicated issue (sore throat, earache, bladder infection, etc), and your visit lasts 10-20 minutes, your visit will likely cost $105. If your out of network reimbursement is 60%, Aetna will send you a check for $63.00, and your total out of pocket expense is $42.

If you have the ability to change insurance companies, we will continue to be preferred providers for Regence, Premera, Uniform, First Choice, and Lifewise.

Please do not switch to Cigna, Greatwest, or United, as their reimbursement is almost as poor and we may be terminating our in network contracts with them in the near future.

As always, we are here for your questions and concerns. We truly thank you for your support in this. We want to continue to provide you with the very best care possible and also feel like we can support the continuation of our business.

Join us each third Thursday of the month at 6 pm for lectures on health topics by the physicians at Naturopathic Family Medicine.

Each class costs $20 per person, or $30 per couple. For the sake of others, please leave the children at home.

To attend, please register by phone (206) 683-4495 or email.

As a proud supporter of the Karen Stevens Dance Company, Naturopathic Family Medicine kindly extends its student discount program to all company members. See below for full details.

At Naturopathic Family Medicine, we remember what it was like to be a college student with a limited budget and limited access to holistic, quality health care. To better serve the health care needs of this population, Dr. Carly Bridge is currently accepting new patients who are enrolled in any local college or university full time for a reduced fee. Initial appointments last for 1 hr and are $60. Follow up appointments last 30 minutes and are $35. As always, appointments can be scheduled by calling 206-683-4495. Valid student ID required for participation.

Did you know that babies as young as 7 months old can eat foods like Tarragon Carrots from France or Beef Satay from Thailand? Yep, it's true!

Believe it or not, making baby or toddler food can be fun and easy!

Dr. Cullen has co–authored "The Baby Cuisine Cookbook," which is available for sale, along with DVDs, at Alinas Cucina.

We are pleased to announce the opening of Dr. Cullen's own clinic, Naturopathic Family Medicine, with providers focused entirely on family medicine.

Our bigger space, located blocks away from Woodland Park Zoo, has easy parking and greater accessibility.

As of January 1, 2009, you can find Dr. Cullen at:

Naturopathic Family Medicine
4411 Fremont Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone 206 / 683–4495
Fax 206 / 547–2207

August 2008. Dr. Cullen was named one of 2008’s Top Doctors by her peers and given the Golden Stethoscope Award for outstanding medical practitioner by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine.