Frequently Asked Questions
Your answers about IV therapy are here…

Payments: Insurance, HSA and FSA

Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Insurance Billing and Reimbursements

IV for Life always strives to keep your “out of pocket” costs down. For this reason we have the following options:

HSA and FSA accounts:

For the most part, most FSA and HSA plans qualify as a form of payment for your IV Treatments (not applicable for “cosmetic” treatments).  If you have a debit card for your FSA or HSA plan, we can usually charge it directly. We also provide you with an itemized Superbill which is a specialized receipt which includes the medical diagnosis and procedure codes applicable for your treatment in case you need to be reimbursed indirectly by your plan. The advantage is that you will be paying with pre-tax money which is already designated for medical spending.

Superbill Receipt:

We charge the amount for your treatment upfront and we can generate a Superbill for you upon request. This  is a specialized receipt which includes the medical diagnosis and procedure codes your insurance will need from you to reimburse you for what you paid us at the time of your service. Use the Superbill to fill out the 1 page reimbursement form your insurance has available on their website.

Here are some links for certain insurance’s reimbursement forms:

Insurance Billing:

Starting in Mid-2016 we will offer a new service in which we will be able to directly bill certain PPO insurances and Medicare / Medicare PPO plans in qualified cases with valid symptoms and medical conditions such as fatigue, insomnia, malabsorption, etc.. When we receive payment from your PPO insurance company or Medicare (4-6 weeks), we will refund you the money you paid upfront at the time of your IV treatment.

Questions?

Call us at 714-951-1910 and we will be happy to answer any inquiries.

Bogdan Popa, MD

I’m scared of needles...Will it HURT?

Most people barely feel the IV placement, and many don’t feel it at all. A specialized nurse will place a small 22 gauge IV after pre-treating the skin with a very cold  “freeze” spray called “Pain Ease” to minimize discomfort.

What are the typical nutrients used in the IV infusions?

Depending on your nutritional status and medical condition one or several of the following nutrients may be prescribed for IV infusion by Dr. Popa:

  • Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B-9, B12, B-complex
  • Vitamin C
  • Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Molybdenum, Selenium, Chromium
  • Glutathione
  • Amino Acids, L-Arginine, L-Glutamine, Taurine, L-Lysine, L-Carnitine
  • Tyrosine, Germanium
  • Phosphatidylcholine
  • GPC
  • Inositol
  • Glycyrrhiza, Mistletoe, Milk Thissle, Ukrain
  • And many others…

How can I know what my exact nutritional status is?

We offer sophisticated lab tests to determine specific vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and other micronutrient deficiencies.

Why is the nutritional status so important?

All of our cells use vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants continuously as they utilize glucose to create energy for all cellular processes. A deficiency at the basic cellular level sets the stage for the development of disease. Many diseases are the result of prolonged and advanced nutritional imbalance, so the key is to address the problem at the root by replenishing these vitamins and minerals. Early preventative treatment is even better.

If you have been dealing with a chronic illness, your immune, endocrine (hormonal), and hepatic systems (elimination of toxins) are likely severely depleted of nutrients and overtaxed. Taking oral supplements will likely not be enough to get you caught up on your accumulated deficit (or it may take too long). IV nutritional therapy delivers high doses of vitamins, minerals and other essential elements directly into the bloodstream and into the very cells that most need help, thus giving a quick boost and closing the existing nutritional deficit.

What can I expect during my treatment?

Most of the IV drips take anywhere between 15-90 minutes during which time a patient can recline, watch TV or a movie, sleep, read, listen to music, or just relax. Some high dose drips can take 2-3 hours but we will let you know ahead of time if you require one.

Once the IV has been started, you will be reclined in a comfortable chair as the drip is administered. You may experience a warm sensation in your chest or abdomen and you may have a sensation of “tasting” the vitamins.

Note: Please be sure to eat and/or bring snacks so that you are not coming in on an empty stomach. Vitamin C and other infusions require continuous oral hydration as well, so you may bring liquids.

How often will I have to have the treatment?

Many conditions often require an intense period of treatment (1-2 months) during which you may need several treatments per week if necessary. This is typically followed by maintenance therapy 1-4 times/month.

Preventative and anti-aging treatments are typically recommended 2-4 times a month typically.

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