We Bring Care to Those Who Seek It
At Lower Gwynedd Functional Medicine, we are dedicated to understanding each patient as a whole person. Functional and integrative medicine is comprehensive and complex, requiring both time and commitment — from our team and from our patients.
Our practice combines the highest standards of conventional medicine with integrative approaches to identify root causes of health concerns and design personalized, evidence-based treatment plans.
We continually invest in our expertise through:
- Board certifications and continuing medical education in conventional and functional medicine
- Collaboration with leading peers in integrative healthcare
- Hands-on clinical experience to ensure familiarity and safety with the therapies we recommend
All care we provide is grounded in scientific evidence, clinical experience, and professional expertise. Every treatment plan is tailored to the individual patient, ensuring safe, effective, and measurable results.
How Our Office Operates
Initial Appointments
New patient visits are scheduled for 90-minute appointments. This is much more than a conversation — it is a comprehensive physician-led evaluation. During this visit, Dr. Carchedi:
- Reviews your complete medical history, medications, and past labs
- Explores your entire health history, including sleep, nutrition, stress, and lifestyle factors
- Completes a thorough intake via a detailed medical questionnaire submitted before your visit
- Discusses your health goals and priorities
- Provides recommendations for laboratory testing tailored to your individual needs
- Begins creating a personalized, evidence-based treatment plan
- This consultation forms the foundation of your care, providing the time and expertise needed to create a personalized treatment plan.
Please note: Our practice is specialist-focused. We do not provide primary care, acute care, or annual physicals. Patients are encouraged to maintain a primary care physician for these services. Our office does not have an answering service or an on-call doctor.
Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up visits are typically 60 minutes, adjusted based on patient needs. During these visits, Dr. Carchedi will:
- Review lab results and monitor progress
- Adjust medications, supplements, and lifestyle recommendations
- Continue refining your personalized treatment plan
Shorter follow-up visits (30 or 15 minutes) may be scheduled as needed for focused check-ins, dose adjustments, or progress updates.
Insurance & Payment
We are a fee-for-service practice and do not accept health insurance. We do not file claims, conduct prior authorizations or pre-certifications, or submit paperwork on your behalf. Patients are encouraged to check with their insurance company regarding potential out-of-network coverage for lab testing or other services. To make your visit seamless, payment for services is due at the time of your appointment.
Payment options include:
- Visa and Mastercard
- Cash or Checks
- HSA and FSA cards
Itemized receipts are available upon request. For patients using HSA or FSA cards, we recommend bringing a secondary form of payment as a precaution, since these cards may have limited available funds.
Appointment Scheduling & Cancellation Policy
Because our initial visits are 90 minutes long and conducted directly with Dr. Carchedi, we reserve significant, dedicated time exclusively for each patient. This allows for a thorough evaluation and ensures a personalized, high-quality care experience. We kindly ask for at least 2 business days’ notice for any cancellations or rescheduling. This advance notice allows us to offer the reserved appointment time to another patient waiting to be seen.
To secure your appointment, we require a valid credit card on file at the time of scheduling. This is a standard policy for high-demand specialty practices and allows us to:
- Reserve extended appointment times exclusively for you
- Prepare thoroughly for your visit in advance
- Maintain availability for other patients seeking care
Your credit card is not charged at the time of scheduling. Charges only apply if an appointment is cancelled or rescheduled with less than 2 business days’ notice, in accordance with our cancellation policy.
Due to the extended length and physician preparation required for new patient visits, new patient appointments may be charged the full visit fee if proper notice is not provided. Late cancellations or missed appointments for established patients are subject to a $100 no-show fee.
Because our appointments are lengthy and personalized, late cancellations or no-shows prevent us from offering that time to other patients waiting to be seen. This policy ensures fairness, respect for the physician’s time, and continued access to care for all patients.