Red Mountain Natural Medicine
frequently asked questions.
Answers to the questions we hear most often: about first visits, costs, insurance, labs, supplements, telehealth, and how we work. If you don't see your question here, get in touch.
How long is the first appointment?
The first appointment is typically a full hour with the doctor. For less complex issues, straightforward structural care, or some pediatric cases, the first visit may be shorter.
If your paperwork is complete, please plan to arrive 5–10 minutes before your scheduled appointment. If you still need to finish paperwork, please arrive at least 20 minutes early. After your visit, plan on an additional 10–20 minutes to review the doctor's recommendations with our front desk staff.
Follow-up visits are scheduled for a minimum of 15 minutes and may run longer depending on the nature of the visit.
What other costs should I consider?
At the first visit, you'll pay for the appointment and receive pricing for any additional recommendations from the doctor. Laboratory testing and supplements are priced individually and can vary based on the specific test or nutritional protocol. Both labs and supplements are common starting points for new patients, which is why the first visit is almost always the most expensive.
Do I have to sign up for a plan?
No. All follow-up care is based on what you actually need. We don't use contracts or high-pressure sales plans. While reaching your goals may take multiple visits, everything is priced individually so you can decide what works for you. We understand that every patient has a different budget, and we're happy to provide pricing up front. Our approach is flexible and fully customizable.
How many visits are required?
This varies from person to person. At the start of care, most patients come in more frequently. Reversing chronic issues that have been building for years takes time. Functional medicine is a front-loaded process, with the most work and the highest costs typically occurring early on.
Follow-up visits are shorter and less expensive. Once your initial goals are met, some patients choose regular maintenance visits, while others prefer to call only when something new comes up. It depends entirely on your preferences and needs.
Do you take insurance?
No, we are a direct-pay clinic. Payment is due at the time of service, and we do not bill third parties. That said, some patients successfully submit their bills to insurance or cost-sharing programs for reimbursement, or pay using an HSA card. Because every plan is different, we recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to understand your coverage.
Do you use labs, and are they expensive?
Yes. Dr. Rostenberg frequently orders labs for his patients. However, labs are just one of several assessment tools used in our functional medicine approach, and they're combined with other methods to ensure we order only the most relevant and informative tests.
Why does this matter? Labs provide valuable insights, but they can be expensive and take weeks to process. We don't recommend unnecessary testing. That said, we believe patients should have access to information about their health and are happy to work with those who would like to request specific lab tests.
The most common labs we order are the OAT (Organic Acids Test), the DUTCH hormone test, and blood work. These are considered industry gold standards. Other tests are available as needed, but these are the ones we order most often. See our laboratory testing page for more.
Do you sell supplements?
Yes, we do. We've seen remarkable transformations driven by targeted, high-quality nutrition. It's one of our core tools because it consistently delivers results, and every decision in our clinic is guided by what produces the best outcomes for our patients.
With so many supplements on the market, choosing the right ones can be overwhelming. Working with Dr. Rostenberg offers a very different experience than picking something off a shelf. He creates a personalized plan and uses targeted nutritional strategies to drive meaningful change.
Our retail supplements are available to everyone. You don't need to be a patient to purchase our exclusive, doctor-approved brands.
What if I have questions?
Our staff is always here to help. You're welcome to message, text, or call any time with questions about treatment, scheduling, or billing. We know questions come up, and we're here to answer them.
How is Red Mountain different from other Boise functional medicine clinics?
Dr. Rostenberg has served Boise and the Treasure Valley since 2011. He teaches and trains other doctors and is a sought-after speaker and author — his book Your Genius Body and his YouTube channel, Beyond MTHFR, are used by patients and practitioners worldwide.
Most Boise functional medicine clinics don't combine that depth of training with the time, attention, and continuity of a one-doctor practice. That's the difference.
How does Dr. Rostenberg actually diagnose what's going on?
Dr. Rostenberg uses advanced diagnostic techniques to assess your body in real time, combining structural care with a functional medicine assessment. This lets him evaluate symptoms from both a mechanical and metabolic perspective.
Is your pain coming from an injury, a strain, internal inflammation, or an environmental cause? Applied kinesiology, hands-on examination, and targeted lab testing work together to pinpoint the source rather than chase the symptom.
How quickly will I get a plan?
Our goal is to help you feel better as soon as possible. Dr. Rostenberg can typically build a plan for you during your first visit.
We keep a nutritional pharmacy stocked on site, so you don't have to wait for shipping or turn to questionable online retailers. Our team works behind the scenes to make sure you have what you need without delay.
Can you tell me more about AK or muscle testing?
Applied Kinesiology (AK) can be tricky to understand, so here are the key things to know:
- AK is a diagnostic technique, not a treatment. It helps locate the source of symptoms but does not treat them directly. Because it's only used for diagnosis, there is virtually no risk involved.
- Lab testing confirms what muscle testing finds. When possible, Dr. Rostenberg uses laboratory tests to confirm AK findings. This lets him be more selective and targeted with the tests he orders, saving patients both time and money.
- Real-time information. AK allows the doctor to interact with your body in real time, providing immediate insight into what's happening right now.
Bottom line: Dr. Rostenberg uses AK because, over his career working with thousands of patients, he has seen it consistently lead to better outcomes. The results speak for themselves, which is why it remains a core part of his functional medicine practice, even if it's admittedly hard to explain. Learn more on our Applied Kinesiology page.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Dr. Rostenberg and Dr. Shana McQueen, ND offer telehealth consultations, available to both new and established patients with an internet connection or phone line.
Telehealth visits at Red Mountain are private consultations focused on functional and naturopathic wellness. Red Mountain is a direct-pay practice, and telehealth consultations are paid at the time of service.
We can order functional lab work to a draw site near you in most U.S. states, and we've provided consultations to patients across the United States and internationally. Specifics around supplements and lab testing vary by location — we'll coordinate the details during your consultation.
Limited Spanish translation is available.
Other things to know
- We are not an emergency clinic and do not provide after-hours care or calls. If you need a provider with emergency support, we may not be the right fit.
- We do not process third-party payments. If this is essential for your budget, we may be able to recommend other providers.
- We do not manage or prescribe pharmaceutical drugs.
- We have limited experience with injury claims and workers' compensation claims. Many chiropractic clinics specialize in these areas and may be a better option for claim-specific care.

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