{"id":116,"date":"2023-11-22T23:21:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T23:21:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drtaniadempsey.com\/?page_id=116"},"modified":"2025-10-02T18:12:58","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T18:12:58","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/drtaniadempsey.com\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”4″ bottom_padding=”4″ back_color=”color-153429″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”793447″ back_color_type=”uncode-palette”][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ align_horizontal=”align_center” gutter_size=”3″ style=”dark” overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”256339″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h1″ text_size=”h1″ text_transform=”uppercase” css_animation=”single-curtain” uncode_shortcode_id=”947138″]Frequently Asked Questions[\/vc_custom_heading][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”5″ bottom_padding=”5″ back_color=”color-125020″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”111256″ back_color_type=”uncode-palette”][vc_column width=”1\/1″][vc_accordion typography=”advanced” sign=”plus” gutter_simple=”1″ active_bg_color=”color-xsdn” shadow=”xs” titles_font=”font-116300″ titles_size=”h4″ titles_weight=”400″ titles_transform=”uppercase” uncode_shortcode_id=”129004″ active_tab=”0″ active_bg_color_type=”uncode-palette”][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Are you currently accepting new patients?” tab_id=”1700695089-1-100″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”991054″]Dr. Tania Dempsey is not currently accepting new patients. However, we do have other experienced providers here at The AIM Center who are accepting new patients who work very closely with Dr. Dempsey.<\/p>\n

Our team offers the same thoughtful, integrative approach that our practice is known for, and we\u2019d love to support you on your health journey.\u00a0Please contact our office<\/a>\u00a0to learn more or get started.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Is there currently a waiting list to become a patient?” tab_id=”1700695251869-9-2″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”127194″]The AIM Center is fortunate to serve so many patients. We do currently have a wait list depending on the practitioner. We are doing our best to continue to serve as many patients as possible without sacrificing level of care and attention. Please contact our office<\/a> to inquire more about how you may be seen.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Do you accept insurance?” tab_id=”1700695089-2-84″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”194368″]Healthcare is rapidly evolving. We are unable to accept insurance at this time but are hopeful that insurance models continue to adapt with functional medicine over time.<\/p>\n

We are not able to bill insurance, but some patients may be able to gain partial reimbursement by submitting their claims to their insurance companies if they have out-of-network benefits and have met their deductible.<\/p>\n

We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Are the cost of labs included?” tab_id=”1700695168383-2-6″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”109895″]Laboratory testing is a separate expense.<\/p>\n

Some tests ordered are covered by insurance and are billed to the patient’s insurer by the lab. Testing for mast cell disease is challenging for a number of reasons, therefore, it is possible that an initial round of testing may yield negative results. This is why we usually recommend an additional 1-2 rounds of testing. Most patients who truly have mast cell disease obtain diagnostic laboratory test results within 1-3 rounds of testing. Some insurers may not cover all of the tests we recommend, and some insurers may require co-payments from the patient.<\/p>\n

Some of the multisystem diseases that the AIM Center Team diagnoses and treats require additional testing through outside labs that do not accept insurance. If these tests are recommended, the cost will be reviewed with you by the staff and the payment will be due at the time of the testing. It is sometimes possible to submit the invoices from these labs to your insurance company for reimbursement, but there is no guarantee[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”I am visiting from out of town. Where should I stay if I make an appointment with you? Do you have a center I can stay at?” tab_id=”1700695184246-3-7″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”153620″]We are located at 3010 Westchester Ave. Purchase, NY 10577. There are ample accommodations locally. We do not recommend specific hotels due to the unknown requirements of individual patients who come to see us.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Will you work with my existing primary physician?” tab_id=”1700695196307-4-8″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”607312″]The care provided at the AIM Center is collaborative in many ways. We want to ensure patients are receiving the most optimal care here, and outside of the AIM Center.<\/p>\n

We will provide your doctor with a comprehensive report of our findings and recommendations. They are able to reach out directly to our team with any questions or requests for guidance.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”What do initial appointments look like for out of town first time patients?” tab_id=”1700695208630-5-4″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”132185″]Our approach to care is thorough and comprehensive. If diagnostic laboratory testing for mast cell activation disease is needed and the patient chooses to pursue that testing while here, three days are needed.<\/p>\n

Patients submit specimens for some of the tests on the first day. On the morning of the second day, the patient begins a 24-hour urine collection. On the morning of the third day, the patient completes the 24-hour urine collection and submits it to the lab, after which the patient is free to return home. It typically takes about a month to receive the results from all of the tests.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Do you work with patients overseas?” tab_id=”1700695220187-6-8″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”996028″]Absolutely. The AIM Center practitioners have been seeing patients from other countries for many years and will continue to do so.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Do you accept pediatric patients?” tab_id=”1700695231168-7-3″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”156177″]The youngest patients we currently treat are 16 years-old and up.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”I am not able to fly due to my illness. Do you work remotely and offer Skype consultations?” tab_id=”1700695241196-8-7″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”200970″]We hope to provide telemedicine services in the future for patients who cannot travel at all. For patients who can travel to the AIM Center for their Initial Consultation, examination and laboratory testing, some follow-up visits can be done via telemedicine.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”Do you have a list of other MCAS specialists you recommend?” tab_id=”1700695262729-10-1″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”213617″]As MCAS is a relatively newly-recognized disease state, there is still much that needs to be done as far as reaching a consensus on its diagnosis and treatment. We take our recommendations and care seriously and cannot safely recommend any other practitioners without full knowledge on their background and approach to care.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][vc_accordion_tab gutter_size=”2″ column_padding=”2″ title=”I want to interview Dr. Dempsey for a media request. How do I reach her?” tab_id=”1700695275923-11-4″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”110264″]For media requests and interviews, please contact us here<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_accordion_tab][\/vc_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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