What will I experience with MellowmindedMD?

We prioritize your goals and protect your safety at every step:

• Personalized treatment plans by Dr. Torres

• A range of treatments tailored to deliver your best results. This includes Testosterone, peptides, sexual wellness, and more.

• Regular (convenient) virtual follow up visits following our in person initial visit

• Regularly scheduled labs to support optimal treatment and ensure safe, effective care.

• Access to your clinician throughout care, for timely support, questions, and ongoing feedback.

 What states do you practice in?

We are currently licensed in NJ only.

How do I schedule an appointment?

New patients can schedule an initial consultation session with Dr. Torres through our online booking system. We’ll send the necessary paperwork to complete before your first visit. Once you become a patient you will have access to our HIPAA-compliant patient portal where you have the ability to schedule your follow-up consultation visits.

How much is the initial consultation with Dr. Torres?

Yes. The initial consultation fee is $250. A $50 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of scheduling.

What should I expect on the Insight Call?

On this free 20-minute call, you will be given the opportunity to discuss your health concerns and we will share with you how we can help and the next best step.

What can I expect during the initial consultation?

A: Your initial consultation (60 min) includes a comprehensive review of your health history, current concerns, goals, and the development of your personalized treatment plan.

How do I prepare for my initial consultation?

A: Complete the intake questionnaire at least 48 hours before your visit. This allows us adequate time to review the information provided to prepare appropriately for our visit.

Will my appointments be in person or virtual?

The first initial appointment will be in person at the office located in Verona, NJ. Follow-up visits will be either in person or virtual.

Are lab tests required and will they be covered by my insurance?

Yes, lab work is required prior to starting treatment.

Costs for blood work are NOT included. All labs must be ordered through our practice- we only review outside lab results on a case by case basis. Ordered lab testing will not be billed through insurance but can be paid via credit cards or FSA/HAS.

The functional labs that are ordered in our practice are more comprehensive than labs you may have had before and are not covered by insurance.

Some insurance companies may reimburse you. We can provide you with itemized bills/receipts for your records which you may submit to your PPO/HMO insurance plan for potential reimbursement. We cannot guarantee reimbursement, nor do we communicate directly with your insurance company.  

Any insurance reimbursement process must be handled directly by you.

I have labs from another clinician, can I use them?

Labs within 90 days can be used in some instances. We cannot guarantee that you won’t need new labs based on your lab values and the biomarkers that were done previously.

You are welcome to schedule a consultation to see whether this is needed while uploading your previous labs.

We will review these labs during our initial consultation visit and determine whether new labs are needed for further evaluation and treatment.

How long until my labs are ready?

Lab processing times vary, however, most results are available within 7 to 14 days.

Your comprehensive lab review will occur during your first visit as a new patient where we will guide you through your results and next steps.

What is the best way to prepare for my lab test?

To ensure the most accurate results, follow these preparation guidelines:

• Fast for 12 hours before your test (water is ok, but avoid food, coffee, and any other beverages)

• Avoid intense exercise the night before, as it can temporarily affect certain biomarkers

• ·Schedule your test in the morning, as hormone levels are typically most stable at this time.

Should I stop supplements or medications before my lab draw?

We recommend holding off on supplements the morning of your blood draw unless otherwise instructed.

Prescription medications should be taken as directed by your provider.

If you’re on HRT or thyroid medication, it’s best to complete your blood draw right before your next scheduled dose to get the most accurate baseline levels.

Do you accept insurance?

Our care is holistic and prevention-focused, which often includes advanced therapies and specialty lab testing that insurance doesn’t usually cover. For this reason, MellowMindedMD does NOT accept insurance, participates in no PPO/HMO plans, and has opted out of Medicare. We operate as a self-pay practice and do not submit claims to insurers. However, many of our services qualify for HSA/FSA reimbursement.

We’re out of network so your care is guided by your goals, not an insurer’s rulebook. Our comprehensive model blends lifestyle medicine, holistic and complementary treatments, and advanced labs. Since these services are frequently considered non-covered by insurance, we operate on a direct-pay basis with you.

Payment is due at the time of service. If you’re a member, your monthly fee covers most visit costs; medications and lab testing are billed separately.

We do not submit claims or contact insurance companies on your behalf. Payment is made directly to our practice. After payment, we can provide an itemized receipt/superbill to you. If you choose, you may submit to your PPO/HMO for potential out-of-network reimbursement per your plan. Please note: all insurance claims and reimbursements must be handled by you; our office cannot assist with filing or follow-up.

We do not participate with Medicare, nor de we bill Medicare for any services rendered.

Medicare patients are also required to pay at time of service. A patient can NOT submit superbills to Medicare for possible reimbursement, as they will NOT be eligible for Medicare reimbursements.

Medicare patients are required to sign the Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) upon registering as a new MellowmindedMD patient. 

What about payments and insurance?

We are a cash-based practice and do not accept insurance.

However:

All medical services are tax- deductible as healthcare expenses

All Major credit cards and FSA/HAS cards are accepted

Most medications will be specialty compounds requiring direct payment

Some basic prescriptions may be covered by your insurance when sent to local pharmacies

Note: Given our functional/integrative medicine approach, most labs and prescriptions will require direct cash payment with major credit cards or HAS/FSA cards.

 Why don’t you accept insurance?

We don’t accept insurance because our care model is preventive, integrative, and highly personalized—often involving longer visits, comprehensive lifestyle support, and advanced or specialty lab testing that insurers typically do not cover. Participating in insurance networks can limit the time we spend with you and restrict which services we can provide based on billing codes and formularies. By staying out of network, we can focus on what you need, not what a plan allows. We keep pricing transparent, provide itemized receipts you can submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement, and many services may be eligible for HSA/FSA funds. Investing in proactive care today will ultimately save you money and reduce reliance on costly acute care in the future.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

We also accept HAS/FSA cards. Payment is required at the time of service as you can use your HSA or FSA funds to cover eligible purchases.

We are happy to provide a detailed receipt and a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) Invoice and/or Superbill from your provider. You can then submit these documents to your HSA/FSA account for potential reimbursement. We recommend checking with your HSA/FSA provider to confirm eligibility, as coverage varies by plan. 

Do you offer financing services?

At MellowMindedMD, we believe in making healthcare affordable, accessible, and convenient for everyone, which is why we offer financing options through Affirm. 

Do you prescribe medications?

Yes. However, we tend to use prescription medications rarely and only as a last resort or as a bridge. When appropriate and necessary for your treatment plan we prescribe compound medications from our partnered accredited 503A compounding pharmacies.

We also frequently recommend and prescribe supplements when needed.

We do not change medications prescribed by other doctors.

Are compounding pharmacies safe?

Yes.

Compounding pharmacies are safe options for patient for customized medication regimens when they adhere to stringent quality and safety standards. At MellowMindedMD Dr. Torres is highly selective in choosing compounding pharmacies, ensuring they are both highly regulated and adhere to strict safety and efficacy standards. These pharmacies are chosen for their commitment to quality and precision, providing safe and effective customized BHRT medications tailored to meet the unique needs of our patients.

All of MellowMindedMD compounding pharmacy parternships are with compounding pharmacies that are accredited by organizations such as the Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board (PCAB) and follows guidelines set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

These pharmacies customize medications to meet individual patient needs, and when properly regulated, they provide a valuable service. Specifically, MellowMindedMD compounding pharmacies  are safe and regulated 503A pharmacies - which are licensed by state boards of pharmacy and 503b pharmacies - which are registered by the FDA.

Both types of pharmacies are regulated by the FDA.

 Do I still need a Primary Care Physician?

Yes. All patients are required to maintain a relationship with a local primary care provider. You must have a primary care physician for yearly physicals, wellness visits, and for after hours or urgent care purposes.

Consider us a specialty service, working alongside your primary care provider.

We do not respond to acute or urgent requests of any kind, including messages or phone calls.

All emergencies should be directed to your primary care physician, 911, or your nearest emergency room.

 I’m ready to get started, what are the next steps?

You can give us a call at 862 904 8404, or schedule your insight call here?