Our Patients

Integrative Headache Medicine of New York does not participate with insurance plans. An itemized statement and receipt of payment will be provided at the time of the encounter that you may submit to your insurance plan for reimbursement, depending on your out-of-network benefits.

Today there are hundreds of healthcare insurance companies, each with dozens of plans. Each plan has its restrictions and its own rules, and payment policies for physicians, both of which are constantly changing. In addition, employer and individual plans may vary depending upon the benefits package purchased, so there is even variation between insured members that may even be on the same plan. Trends in insurance reimbursement are dramatically reducing the payment for all types of medical care. Doctors who participate in insurance plans are forced to accept far less than traditional fees and the level of reimbursement is continuing to decrease, while the costs of maintaining a practice are increasing. As a result, the level of care may be compromised.

Integrative Headache Medicine of New York practices an integrated approach to headache medicine, and commercial insurance plans do not recognize or pay for all that is involved in providing comprehensive traditional and complementary medicine. Quality care takes time and expertise. As such, we are unable to provide the level of care that we do if we participate with insurance plans.

If you have out-of-network benefits, you can submit our charges to your plan for adjudication and reimbursement for your out-of-pocket expense. Factors like deductibles and cost-sharing may apply. For information on your specific benefits – such as what is covered, what is not, and why – please refer to the benefits guide provided by your employer or your plan at the time of enrollment or call the member number located on your insurance card.

Many plans require that you meet a deductible amount (whether in-network or out-of-network). This means that a certain amount of the claim payment will be withheld in order to meet the deductible amount within a given time period. For example, you may have a $2,000 deductible, in which case your insurer will only start paying claims once you have reached $2,000 in services paid out of your own pocket.

Some plans also have a coinsurance provision, which means that the member/patient shares in a portion of the total payment for services rendered – in addition to a deductible – by paying a percentage of the total allowable (fee) due to the practice. Your insurer will process your claim, determine if there is a cost-share amount, and reimburse you for any amount due to you from there.

For the most part, you can expect that whether you have in-network benefits or out-of-network benefits, you will need to satisfy your deductible before any benefits or reimbursement from your insurance company is extended. Patients with out-of-network benefits can expect to be reimbursed for some or most of your out of pocket expenses once their deductible is met.

We are not currently accepting new Medicare patients at this practice. We are happy to provide referrals to providers who are in-network or opted out of Medicare.

Yes. All outside testing gets billed through your insurance. For labs, we typically utilize either Labcorp or Quest, but it is your responsibility to check which one is the preferred lab provider for your insurance. For imaging, we work with several leading radiology offices in New York – please also verify which one accepts your insurance if you desire to stay in-network.

Make sure to complete all paperwork and intake forms at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. Please email, fax, or bring the following documents with you:

• Medical records from other treating physicians
• Any diagnostic testing results (lab results, MRI, CT scans, etc) done within the last year. If you have a disc with images, please bring it to your appointment.
• A list of all medications, including dosages and directions (supplements, herbs, and OTC medications included)

Email: [email protected]
Fax: 646-933-4822

Medical licensing laws allow physicians to see patients via telemedicine in any state where they hold a medical license. The patient must be physically present in that state at the time of the visit. Dr. Natbony holds medical licenses in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Thus, in order to be seen via telemedicine, you must be in one of these states at the time of your visit.