Frequently Asked
Questions.

Functional medicine is an evidence-based, root-cause approach to health. Rather than managing symptoms, we investigate what's actually driving them, using advanced lab testing, a thorough health history, and personalized protocols built around your unique biology.

Not at all. We work with women on both sides of the door - those managing specific concerns (hormones, thyroid, gut, energy) and those who feel fine and want to stay that way. Optimization and longevity work (advanced labs, hormone optimization, metabolic health, preventive care) is a core part of what we do.

Stratos Functional Wellness is a cash-pay practice. Many patients find that the depth, time, and personalization of care far exceeds what is possible through insurance-based medicine. Lab testing may be billable through your insurance if you have out-of-network coverage. We'll help you navigate this.

Medical care is available to patients in the 11 states where we are licensed: California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, South Carolina, New Mexico, Missouri, and Florida. Outside those states, health consulting is available nationwide - education-focused sessions to review your health story and help you build a plan, without prescribing or medical diagnosis. All appointments are conducted virtually.

Initial bloodwork is recommended prior to your first visit - it allows for a more thorough, efficient, and personalized evaluation. If you have recent comprehensive labs, we'll review and use those whenever appropriate. No need to repeat testing unnecessarily.

We use a range of advanced functional labs including DUTCH hormone panels, GI-MAP, SIBO breath testing, organic acids, autoimmunity markers, cardiometabolic panels, and more. All testing options are reviewed with you in advance - nothing is ordered without your knowledge and approval.

Lab testing is not included in membership fees. We offer flexible, fully transparent options including insurance billing (if you have out-of-network coverage) and discounted cash-pay options through Quest, Labcorp, and Vibrant. Your initial comprehensive blood panel can often be completed for approximately $250 cash-pay - significantly less than standard retail lab costs.

The Vitality Plan ($225/month, or $2,500/year) is the ongoing path: quarterly visits, your baseline Optimization Panel, a 3-month recheck, messaging, coaching, and community. Reclaim ($5,997/year) is a 12-month deep dive that includes the two advanced functional tests your case needs - chosen from DUTCH, GI-MAP, SIBO, and OAT - plus 10 visits a year - six 60-minute clinician visits and four health-coaching sessions. Your discovery call matches you to the right one.

A free 20-minute call to discuss your symptoms, history, and goals. It's a real conversation, not a sales call. By the end, you'll have a clear sense of whether Stratos Functional Wellness is the right fit and which program makes the most sense for you.

If we're a fit, you'll choose the program that matches your goals and book your first visit. Before that appointment you'll complete your intake and initial labs, so your first session starts with real data - and you leave it with a plan already taking shape. And if Stratos Functional Wellness isn't the right fit, Mary will point you toward what is. No pressure at any step.

Yes. As a board-certified physician associate, Mary prescribes hormone replacement therapy (HRT), peptide therapy, and other medications when clinically indicated, with proper testing and monitoring. Prescription medications themselves are not included in membership fees - they are filled through your pharmacy like any other prescription.

Yes - Mary has treated men for the past decade and continues to. Stratos Functional Wellness is built around women's health, and men (often partners of current patients) are welcome for the same root-cause care: advanced testing, hormone and metabolic work, and a plan built around their biology.

All appointments are conducted virtually via a secure telehealth platform. No waiting rooms, no rushed visits. Sessions are long enough to actually matter - 45 to 60 minutes depending on your visit type.