Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Saigal dedicates as much time as is necessary to understand each patient’s story, explain the underlying physiology of their symptoms and disease states, and collaborate on treatment plans. Visit times are generous; initial patient appointments average 2 to 4 hours or longer, and follow-up appointments average 1 to 2 hours or longer.
After the initial appointment, follow-up visits occur every three (3) to six (6) months, allowing time for patients to implement new recommendations and determine effectiveness. Requests for earlier visits can be accommodated.
Patients can message Dr. Saigal through their patient portal and receive personalized responses within 1 to 2 business days. For emergencies, patents should call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.
No, appointments are fully virtual, enabling patients to see Dr. Saigal from the convenience of their home or other preferred location. Patients generally report that virtual visits are relaxing, allow for strong patient-physician relationships, prevent exposure to diseases in medical facilities, and facilitate discussions about food and supplements in the home that can be shown to the physician.
Patients who have not previously received care from Dr. Saigal at Life Transformation Integrative Medicine PLLC qualify for initial patient appointments.
Yes, interpreter services for foreign languages and American Sign Language are available. Patients or their representatives should contact the office in advance to discuss needs so that appropriate accommodations may be arranged prior to the patient’s scheduled virtual visit.
Integrative medicine aims to find the most ideal combination of complementary therapies and allopathic (Western) medicine, tailored to individual health, genetics, lifestyle, and beliefs. As an integrative medicine physician, Dr. Saigal is well-versed in both complementary and allopathic medical approaches and the studies of safety and effectiveness in support of such approaches. Her integrative medicine treatment plans account for and can be safely combined with therapies from the patient’s primary care physician and other medical sub-specialists. Dr. Saigal’s specific and practical recommendations support long-term patient wellness.
Yes, patients may contact the office for a complimentary 10-15 minute virtual "meet and greet" with Dr. Saigal to determine if her services align with their needs before scheduling an initial appointment.
No, Dr. Saigal makes referrals as necessary to specially selected mindfulness therapists, life coaches, nutritionists, physical therapists, manual therapy providers (massage, chiropractic, osteopathic manipulation), acupuncture practitioners, energy medicine practitioners, and subspecialist physicians in the Chicago area who she trusts for their thorough and knowledgeable care, and their compassionate and collaborative approach.
Dr. Saigal may order pertinent lab testing to diagnose and treat medical conditions and imbalances. Patients can visit a lab or opt for convenient in-home collections via GetLabs for an additional fee.
A list of conditions treated can be found here. Patients may contact the office with further specific inquiries.
A description of areas covered in a holistic manner can be found here. Patients may contact the office with further specific inquiries.
Yes, Dr. Saigal offers integrative medicine consultations for adults and children, with over a decade of experience in providing comprehensive care for both age groups.
Yes, Dr. Saigal certifies eligible patients for medical cannabis in the State of Illinois after discussing the risks, benefits, alternatives, and providing detailed education on cannabis product usage.
Yes, Dr. Saigal addresses weight within a holistic health approach, considering its impact on inflammation, metabolic disorders, disease risk, and self-image. She prescribes weight loss medications for eligible patients who opt for this therapy, combining the medications with dietary changes, exercise, supplements, and integrative therapies to support long-term weight loss. Compounded weight loss medications may be utilized when there are specific indications for use instead of FDA-approved branded medications; prices for compounded medications can be found in the “PRICING AND INSURANCE” section in “Frequently Asked Questions.”
Dr. Saigal offers individualized, practical, long-term advice on nutrition, including but not limited to the anti-inflammatory diet, Mediterranean diet, ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, elimination diet, and sports nutrition. For patients who are unable to cook due to time, interest, or cooking skills, she provides guidance on easy-to-make or store-bought meals; she also recommends online meal replacement and delivery brands backed by research on effectiveness and clean ingredients.
Dr. Saigal recommends personalized supplement regimens, considering safety and effectiveness for each patient's medical conditions and medications. She suggests specific brands backed by research on effectiveness and clean ingredients.
No, although Dr. Saigal previously served as a primary care physician for adults and children, she now only serves as an integrative medicine consultant in order to help meet the need for this specialized care. Patients must have their own primary care physician prior to establishing care with Dr. Saigal.
Yes, Dr. Saigal provides referrals to medical and surgical subspecialist physicians when necessary. She can recommend subspecialist physicians in the Chicago area who she trusts for their thorough and knowledgeable care, and their compassionate and collaborative approach.
The initial patient appointment cost is $1,000. The follow-up patient appointment cost is $650. Fees are automatically charged to the patient's preferred payment method on file; deposits are collected at the time of appointment scheduling, and any remaining fees for services rendered are collected on the service date after visit completion. The practice submits paid superbills for out-of-network insurance reimbursement on behalf of patients at no charge. Patients have the option to split the initial visit into two shorter $500 visits on back-to-back days (rather than one longer $1,000 visit) to improve insurance reimbursement, as insurances limit how many hours of physician services they will reimburse per day.
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required upon appointment scheduling; this will be applied toward and deducted from the total visit cost. Patients with urgent rescheduling needs due to extenuating circumstances should contact the office to discuss accommodations.
HSA and FSA cards ARE accepted. Private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid are NOT accepted by Life Transformation Integrative Medicine PLLC. HOWEVER, the practice submits paid superbills for out-of-network insurance reimbursement on behalf of patients at no charge.
After the visit, once encounter payment is received in full, a superbill is sent electronically to the patient. For patients that opt in, Life Transformation Integrative Medicine PLLC can submit the superbill alongside necessary documentation for out-of-network insurance reimbursement on behalf of the patient; this service is free of charge. Alternatively, the patient may submit the superbill themselves using out-of-network claim forms provided by their insurance provider online or by mail. Specific instructions for each insurance are available online or by contacting the customer service number on the insurance card. More information about out-of-network reimbursement can be found here.
Yes, most insurances cover at least a portion of integrative medicine visits, but reimbursement varies per plan and is not guaranteed by Life Transformation Integrative Medicine PLLC. Medicare and Medicaid do not reimburse services provided by Life Transformation Integrative Medicine PLLC. Deductibles and co-pays apply, similar to other medical services. Medicare and Medicaid do not reimburse services provided by Life Transformation Integrative Medicine PLLC. Individuals may contact the office about billing codes used for visits prior to inquiring with their insurance.
Yes, most HSA or FSA funds may be used to reimburse integrative medicine visits, but reimbursement varies per plan and isn't guaranteed.
Yes, insurances cover most diagnostic tests depending upon indications and diagnoses. Deductibles and co-pays apply, similar to other medical services. Payments for diagnostic services are handled directly by laboratory and imaging centers. Reimbursement for diagnostic tests by insurance companies is not guaranteed by Life Transformation Integrative Medicine PLLC.
Compounded weight loss medications may be utilized when there are specific indications for use instead of FDA-approved branded medications. Prices for compounded weight loss medications are listed below; these include compounded product and delivery costs as well as payment processing technology and prescription administrative fees. Prices are subject to change with cost fluctuations and will be updated periodically.
COMPOUNDED SEMAGLUTIDE PATIENT PRICING:
PRESCRIPTION #1 (weeks 1-10): $225 (average $90 per 4 weeks)
PRESCRIPTION #2 (weeks 11-20): $405 (average $162 per 4 weeks)
PRESCRIPTION #3 ONWARDS (for every 8 weeks): $405 (average $203 per 4 weeks)
Prices vary (within the aforementioned range) if intermediate doses are used for a longer duration than the routine dose escalation regimen.
COMPOUNDED TIRZEPATIDE PATIENT PRICING:
PRESCRIPTION #1 (weeks 1-9): $385 (average $171 per 4 weeks)
PRESCRIPTION #2 (weeks 10-19): $770 (average $308 per 4 weeks)
PRESCRIPTION #3 (weeks 20-28): $885 (average $393 per 4 weeks)
PRESCRIPTION #4 ONWARDS (for every 8 weeks): $885 (average $442 per 4 weeks)
Prices vary (within the aforementioned range) if intermediate doses are used for a longer duration than the routine dose escalation regimen.
All active patients may regularly contact Dr. Saigal through their portal as questions or concerns arise. However, patients may contact the office for membership inquiries.
Yes, gift certificates for integrative medicine physician consultations are available and make the perfect gift to celebrate birthdays and holidays or simply to show appreciation and care. Individuals may contact the office for gift certificate inquiries.