ZUMA WELLNESS

The first visit will last up to 90 minutes. It includes a full discussion of your health concerns and health history, any pertinent physical exams, an explanation of the naturopathic medicine paradigm as needed, and your initial acupuncture session or IV therapy if applicable.

This is followed by a 30-60 minute follow-up visit the following week for a review of the doctor’s assessment and starting treatment plan, along with the ordering of any pertinent lab tests.

Subsequent follow-up visits are, on average, 60 minutes and will be conducted at a frequency that is appropriate for the severity of your health condition and as necessary for the efficacy of the treatment modalities being used.

Follow-ups include discussion of treatment progress, treatment modifications and additions, and continuing acupuncture and/or IV therapy sessions (if applicable).

If you do not have time to complete the new patient forms via the online link, we recommend that you please arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than before your appointment so that you may complete these forms in the office.

An online link to fill out your new patient forms will be emailed to you after you schedule your initial visit. These forms are extremely thorough in their questioning, so please allow ample time to complete them prior to your visit.

Please thoroughly list any supplements or medications you are taking along with the brand names and dosages.

Before your first appointment, please fax or email any recent lab work or lab/reports regarding your current health condition ahead of time to the office.


Fax 310. 564. 0149

Individuals all react differently depending on the severity of your health condition, how long it has been going on for, the aggressiveness of our chosen treatment approach, your compliance, etc. In some cases, patients will feel a difference right away; depending on your condition, though, it can take longer before you begin to see sustained improvement.

It is always satisfying for both doctor and patient to have immediate, drastic improvement and results, but please understand that naturopathic medicine is not based on the pop-a-pill for a quick-fix method.

Your health concern may have been developing for some time and there may be multiple underlying factors that need to be addressed to bring the body back into full balance and normal function.

One visit will, in most cases, not be enough for us to complete our job together. Please be ready and committed to embark on the journey towards health with me.

Fees are due and payable at the time of the visit. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, personal checks or cash.

We require a 24-hour advance notice for appointment cancellation and rescheduling.

Patients who do not cancel or reschedule appointments 24 hours in advance will be charged the full price of the missed visit.

Please contact your insurance company to confirm if your plan will cover naturopathic doctors and/or acupuncturists.

Dr. Murphy does not subscribe to any insurance plans, however you will receive a superbill receipt that you can mail to your insurance company for reimbursement.

If IV nutrient therapy is administered, this is not covered by any insurance companies in California and cannot be billed. In addition, some of the more non-conventional lab testing may not be covered and natural medicines and supplements are often not covered.

My staff and I are dedicated to providing you the support that you may need in your healthcare. My practice manager is available to help you with your questions. Please speak with her and be specific with your questions. If you have an urgent problem and need an appointment on the same day, please let her know. We will find a time for you to come in, or refer you to the appropriate specialist if necessary.

Please understand that we often have a very heavy patient load. Remember that if you have an urgent problem, you must make that known to my practice manager so that we can facilitate getting you an answer or an appointment as soon as possible.

If you are having a true medical emergency, then please contact 911 or go to your nearest hospital.

If it is not an urgent problem and can wait, she will relay the message to me and I will get back to you as soon as I am able. Let her know when you will be available to receive a call back and perhaps give her an evening telephone number.

Please email the office at contact@drsarahmurphy.com for appointment scheduling or general questions.

You may contact the doctor’s email directly for questions, concerns, or clarification on your recent treatment plan or a change in your current symptoms that requires guidance. Dr. Murphy will respond as soon as possible. If you have a new health concern since your last visit, then in order to provide you with appropriate care an in-person visit is required.

Emails will be answered as soon as Dr. Murphy is able. If your question is more urgent, please call the office.

If you are having a true medical emergency, then please contact 911 or go to your nearest hospital.

NO text messaging will be accepted. Please email or call us. Thank you!

For optimal communication and treatment, I ask that you make follow up appointments to discuss test results. It is possible to go over the results over the phone if you are unable to come to the office. If you would like a phone consultation, please make an appointment with the front desk.

Please take note of how much of your prescription medication remains and contact your pharmacy at least two weeks in advance to avoid running out of your prescription. If you need a refill authorization from the doctor, then depending upon the type of medication, you may be asked to make an appointment if you haven't been seen in the office for some time.

Supplements are available for purchase in the office or on our website’s Shopping page. Please email or call us if there is something you need that you can’t find via our Shopping page links.