Frequently Asked Questions
Please review the frequently asked questions below. If you don’t find the answer to your question, feel free to contact our new patient coordinator via email, or review “Are We a Good Fit?”
Getting Started
How do I become a new patient?
To get started, please complete our short online course, Are We a Good Fit? It takes less than 10 minutes and explains how our practice works, our approach to care, and helps you decide if we’re the right fit. At the end, you’ll be directed to a brief appointment request form. Once submitted, our team will contact you within 48 hours to schedule your first visit.
Do you treat patients outside of North Carolina?
At this time, we can only see patients physically located in North Carolina—including virtual visits—due to state licensing laws. If you live out of state, you may travel to North Carolina for your first in-person appointment with Dr. Watson. After that, follow-up visits with Dr. Watson can be conducted by phone if out of state (not video). Kate Willis, NP does not offer out-of-state phone calls.
Which provider is right for me?
That depends on your needs and preferences. Both Kate Willis, NP and Dr. Polly Watson are certified through the Institute for Functional Medicine and the Menopause Society, and both specialize in women’s midlife and menopause care. To ensure continuity of care, the provider you see for your first visit will remain your primary provider going forward.
Kate Willis, NP
- Provides virtual visits only via secure video or phone for convenient, ongoing support.
- Is accepting new patients immediately.
- Has over 16 years of experience in women’s wellness, including gynecologic oncology and dermatology.
- Works with women in their 20s–60s for hormone balance and functional medicine care.
- You’ll need your primary care provider or gynecologist to perform your annual pelvic and breast exams and share documentation with us.
Dr. Polly Watson
- Has over 20 years of experience as an OB-GYN, specializing in midlife and menopause.
- Not accepting new patients under 35 years old and new patient appointments are currently being schedule 6+ months out.
- The first appointment must be in person, but follow-up visits can be virtual.
- Performs breast exams, pelvic exams, and Pap smears
- Does not perform in-office procedures; will refer for biopsies or specialized care
- Ideal for patients with vulvar or urogynecologic concerns.
Can Hormone Wellness MD be my primary care?
No. Hormone Wellness MD provides specialized consultative care that complements your regular primary care, but does not replace it. We are note available for emergent concerns, evenings, weekends or holidays. All patients must maintain a relationship with an external primary care provider for annual exams, urgent concerns, and routine services such as breast or pelvic exams, EKGs, or treatment for common illnesses.
If you are having a medical emergency, you need to contact your PCP, the ER or an urgent care center.
What conditions do you treat?
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Menopause & Perimenopause
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Hormone imbalance (PMS/PMDD, PCOS, thyroid disorders, low libido/sexual dysfunction, fatigue, estrogen metabolism, fibroids)
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Metabolic issues (weight changes, insulin resistance, adrenal dysfunction)
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Gut health (GI imbalances, mold-related concerns)
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Stress, anxiety, sleep concerns, insomnia, and brain fog
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Hormone or stress-related hair loss
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Vulvar and urogynecological concerns (Dr. Watson only)
Are there conditions you don’t treat?
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Lyme disease
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Fertility or pregnancy
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Serious mental health or neurological conditions
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ADHD medication management
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Men’s health
Scheduling & Appointments
What happens during the first appointment?
Before your visit, you’ll complete detailed questionnaires about your health history and goals. This will allow your provider to get a full picture before you meet. During the appointment, your provider will review this information with you, discuss your symptoms, and create a personalized care plan. This may include nutrition, lifestyle, and stress support, as well as advanced functional medicine testing like DUTCH hormone panels or GI-MAP gut testing if appropriate. Every plan is tailored to your unique needs — our goal is to find the root cause of your symptoms and help you feel your best.
Can your office perform my annual exams?
Dr. Watson can perform pelvic exams, Pap smears, and breast exams. Kate Willis NP provides virtual care only, so you’ll need a gynecologist or PCP for those exams.
Note: Many patients choose to maintain a regular gynecologist to use their insurance benefits for annual exams, which makes virtual care with Kate Willis a convenient addition to your current health team. If you receive exams from an external provider, we kindly ask that documentation of those visits be shared with us.
What are the restrictions on virtual appointments?
If scheduling with Dr. Watson, the initial visit must be in person. After the first visit, most follow up visits can be conducted by phone or via secure video conferencing. This can be a significant time saver and give you more time for self care. If Dr. Watson feels that an exam is needed, you will be asked to schedule an in-person visit. All appointments with Kate Willis NP are scheduled either virtually or over the phone as she is not available for in-person care.
How often do I need to meet with my provider?
In order to continue as an active patient, receive medication refills, lab interpretations and medical advice, you must meet with your provider at least once every 12 months.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
What type of HRT is offered?
We prescribe bioidentical hormones (BHRT), which can be obtained from a regular pharmacy or a compounding pharmacy. Our practice primarily uses FDA-approved bioidenticals, such as transdermal estradiol gels or patches and oral micronized progesterone. Since testosterone is not FDA-approved for women, it is provided through accredited compounding pharmacies.
We do not offer hormone pellets in our practice as they often result in overdosing and do not deliver a steady drug concentration. Additionally, if unwanted side effects occur with pellets, there is no way to reverse the medication’s effects—you must wait 3–4 months for it to leave your system. We do not offer hormone injections.
What is the cost of HRT?
If you have insurance and choose to use it for your hormone prescriptions, coverage and costs will be determined by your insurance company. It’s a good idea to check GoodRx, as their prices are sometimes more affordable than insurance copays.
Most generic estrogens and progesterone medications cost around $45 for a 90-day supply, but this may vary depending on your insurance. You can review your drug formulary for coverage details on transdermal estradiol and micronized progesterone.
Compounded testosterone and other compounded medications typically cost around $100 for a 2–3 month supply. Since we do not offer compounding directly, we cannot guarantee the prices other compounding pharmacies may charge.
Are there age limits or health restrictions for HRT?
Candidacy depends on your overall health. We would need to review your history to provide a definitive answer, but typically, if you are in good cardiovascular health, HRT may still be an option even if you are 60+. Before prescribing, we would recommend conducting lab work and possibly obtaining a coronary artery calcium score to assess your cardiovascular health.
How often do I need to meet with my provider?
In order to continue as an active patient, receive medication refills, lab interpretations and medical advice, you must meet with your provider at least once every 12 months.
What pre-existing conditions are contraindicated for HRT?
If you have had estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cancer, you are generally not a candidate for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, there are non-hormonal options available to help manage symptoms. Vaginal hormones may be considered safe for breast cancer survivors.
If your oncologist is open to collaboration, we are happy to work with them on the possibility of adding testosterone. For patients with a history of precancer who have been successfully treated, HRT may still be an option.
Do I need a mammogram for HRT?
As is the standard of care, all patients receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy from our clinic need to have biannual/ annual breast cancer screening such as mammogram or abbreviated MRI. If you have had a bilateral mastectomy and are no longer a candidate for breast screening, we would appreciate medical documentation. Thermograms are not accepted as a replacement for breast screenings as it is not supported as a standalone screening method by major medical societies, including the American College of Radiology and the American Cancer Society.
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Billing & Insurance
Do you accept insurance?
Our office is out of network with all insurance providers. This is common among functional medicine practices, as the time-intensive, personalized care we provide often falls outside the limitations of standard insurance models. Being out of network allows our providers the flexibility to take a more comprehensive and individualized approach to your health, without the constraints of insurance-imposed time limits or treatment restrictions.
We will provide you with a detailed billing summary that you can submit to your insurance for potential reimbursement. However, we do not submit medical claims on your behalf and cannot assist with claim resolution. Additionally, we do not participate with Medicare.
How do patients benefit from not taking insurance?
Our pricing is simple, transparent, and patient-centered. You’ll always know the cost of your care upfront—no surprise bills or extra charges if you discuss additional concerns during a visit.
By working outside the insurance system, we’re able to focus entirely on your health—not billing codes. Instead of spending hours on paperwork, our providers that time to researching the latest medical data and applying cutting-edge science to your care.
Do you accept HSA/FSA as payment?
Yes, we accept HSA and FSA as forms of payment. It is the patient’s responsibility to research and verify their own benefits.
Do you offer payment plans?
We strive to make our pricing clear and upfront before your first appointment. Payment is due at the time of your visit, and while we don’t offer payment plans, we’re happy to help answer any questions you may have about costs.
Are appointment prices the same for both providers?
Our pricing is the same for both providers, including virtual and in-person visits as this reflects the value of the provider’s time and expertise, which includes not only the appointment itself but also time spent reviewing your case, documenting, and following up after the visit. Both Kate and Dr. Watson have completed the same functional medicine and menopause training and work closely together to make sure patients get the best care possible.
Communication
Messaging Policy
Patients may contact our team by email or portal message during weekday business hours for non-urgent matters. Allow 48 business hours for us to respond to all inquiries. Do not use email for urgent or emergency requests. If a question is too complex to handle by email, our staff may ask you to schedule a phone, telemedicine, or in-person visit instead.
Cancellation Policy
We require at least 48 business hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Cancellations made within 48 business hours will incur a $100 fee, charged to the card on file. A second late cancellation will be charged the full cost of the appointment. Missing your appointment without notifying your provider via email or through the patient portal will incur a charge.
Labs and Testing
Can you access my medical records?
With patient consent, we can access historical lab data from Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics. However, we do not have access to records from other systems, including MyChart, UNC, Duke, or similar platforms. Additionally, we can access imaging records from Wake Radiology, Raleigh Radiology and Cardinal Points Imaging. Patients will be asked for their consent to obtain these records and to share any relevant test results or medical records before their appointment. If needed, we can provide a release of information form upon request.
How are labs handled for virtual appointments? Do you offer in-office lab draws?
No, we do not perform lab draws in-office. All patients are referred to Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics, for testing, allowing them to choose a location and time that works best for them.
How much does lab work cost?
Bloodwork can be billed to your insurance. If you don’t have insurance, we offer cash-pay discounts through Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics. Pricing varies based on the tests required, and estimates are not available before the appointment. We will work with you on recommended testing within your budget.
What is the cost of functional medicine testing? (Dutch, GIMAP, OATs, etc.)
The average cost for functional medicine testing ranges from $300 to $500, depending on the tests. We do not mark up these tests or accept payment for functional medicine testing. If you choose to have a test done, you’ll pay the testing company directly and may submit the bill to your insurance for potential reimbursement. These tests are optional and it is up to the patient to research their own insurance benefits for reimbursement.
Misc. Questions
What are the symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause?
While the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can vary from person to person, common symptoms often include hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, fatigue, insomnia, muscle pain, brain fog, low libido, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, increased blood pressure, higher cholesterol levels, and a rapid heart rate.
Are there non-hormonal options that can help with menopause symptoms?
Non-hormonal treatments can include herbal therapies, non-hormonal prescription medications, and targeted lifestyle interventions. While herbal remedies don’t provide the brain and heart protection benefits of HRT, they can help relieve up to 85% of menopause symptoms for many women. We frequently use tools like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to address insulin resistance, which can worsen menopause symptoms. Sleep support is another important focus, especially for those managing without systemic hormones.
I’m not in peri-menopause or menopause yet but am interested in hormone balance and functional medicine. Am I in the right place?
Yes! We work with women of a variety ages to help them achieve wellness. Patients under the age of 35 years old will be scheduled with Kate Willis, NP.