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Integrative medicine doctor near me: how to choose one

To find an integrative medicine doctor near you, look for an MD or DO with a current state license and, ideally, board certification in integrative medicine, then ask how they coordinate with your other doctors. Hospital and academic integrative programs are a good place to start.

Many clinicians call themselves integrative, so check training instead of relying on the label. Ask about costs early, since complementary care is often only partly covered.

Updated · Facts checked against the sources listed below

How to find one

  1. Start with programs you trust. Many hospitals and academic health centers run integrative medicine programs.
  2. Ask your primary care doctor for a referral, and check your insurer's directory.
  3. Check the license on your state medical board's site.
  4. Check board certification if they say they have it (below).
  5. Call with questions before you book.

What board certification means

The American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM), hosted by the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS), certifies physicians. To qualify, a doctor must:

  • Have an MD or DO and a valid, unrestricted medical license.
  • Have finished an accredited residency and hold board certification in another specialty.
  • Complete an ABOIM-approved integrative medicine fellowship or another approved training route.
  • Pass a written exam. Certificates last eight years.

You can check status through the ABPS board certification lookup or by calling ABPS. Board certification shows training; it doesn't make any single therapy proven.

Other integrative practitioners

Integrative care often involves a team. Each member has their own license to check:

Questions to ask before you book

  • What do first and follow-up visits cost, and is there a sliding scale?
  • How many visits will I likely need?
  • Are there other costs, such as tests, equipment or supplements?
  • Do you accept my health plan, and who files claims?
  • How will you share notes with my primary care doctor?

Be cautious with anyone who tells you to stop a prescribed medicine without talking to the prescriber, or who offers a complementary therapy in place of care for a serious condition. For an emergency, call 911.

How Gabriel helps

Gabriel finds and books root-cause and holistic practitioners, including naturopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, functional medicine doctors and massage therapists, and files superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. New to the field? Start with what integrative medicine is.

Common questions

How do I find an integrative medicine doctor near me?

Look at hospital or academic integrative programs, ask your primary care doctor, and verify the doctor's license and any board certification before you book.

What does board certified in integrative medicine mean?

An MD or DO with a residency and another board certification completed approved integrative training and passed the American Board of Integrative Medicine exam.

Is a holistic doctor the same as an integrative doctor?

Not necessarily. "Holistic" isn't a credential, so check the person's license and training.

Can a naturopath be an integrative doctor?

NDs take a whole-person approach and often work in integrative settings, but ABOIM board certification is for MDs and DOs.

Does insurance cover an integrative medicine doctor?

Visits with a licensed physician are often covered like other doctor visits; complementary therapies are covered unevenly. Call your insurer to check.

Sources

  1. American Board of Integrative Medicine American Board of Physician Specialties
  2. Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health: What's In a Name? National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH
  3. Integrative Medicine Cleveland Clinic
  4. Paying for Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NIH

This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a visit with a licensed clinician. Gabriel membership is not health insurance.