drappelmann.nd@gmail.com 905.827.7696
Are your services covered by OHIP?
No. However, if you have extended health benefits/insurance you may have coverage for Naturopathic Medicine, in which case you will be reimbursed through your provider for some or all of the fees paid for Naturopathic Visits. Contact your insurance provider to find out how much coverage you are entitled to per year.
Do I have to pay for my visit if I have insurance or do you bill my health insurance directly?
Insurance companies are not billed directly from the Canadian Naturopathic Cancer Clinic in Oakville Ontario, so payment is due by patients on the day of the visit. Payment can be made in the form of cash or credit card. Upon payment, a receipt is issued with all of the particulars your insurance company will need, and this receipt can be submitted by you for reimbursement.
Can I continue to take my prescribed medications as I work with natural therapies?
Have more questions? Please feel free to contact us!
Yes. Naturopathic medicine and complementary therapies are able to work with conventional medicine. In the first naturopathic assessment visit I will learn about any medications or natural supplements that you are taking and work to ensure that any of my recommendations do not have negative interactions with your current medical regime (including medical treatments for cancer care such as chemotherapy and radiation). I will also spend time to explain the risks/benefits of your current or suggested treatments and work to help you reach your personal health goals in a safe and effective manner. Ensuring patient safety is at the forefront of my mind.
Can I work with Naturopathic Medicine if I'm taking chemotherapy, doing radiation therapy or working with other medical oncology treatments?
Yes. As mentioned above, ensuring patient safety is at the forefront of all recommendations. Naturopathic medicine and complementary therapies are able to work well with oncology treatments if done properly. Some things can help, but some things can interfere, depending on the type of cancer and depending on the types of treatments you are receiving. Your specific case will always be researched and recommendations tailored to your particular needs according to what cancer you have, and according to what other treatments you are undergoing.
Do I need a referral to see you?
No. A referral is not necessary to book an appointment. Appointments can be made through email or over the phone. See the 'contact page' for all contact information for the Canadian Naturopathic Cancer Clinic in Oakvile Ontario, or click here.
How many visits do I need to have?
The number and frequency of visits depends on each individual case. At minimum, two visits are required (the first assessment visit, and a follow up visit to go through an initial plan of care and recommendations). Beyond this it depends on how the patient would like to follow up. If a patient wishes to only pursue nutritional and supplement recommendations, in general, follow up visits can range anywhere between every four to eight weeks depending on the patient’s case/needs. If a patient wishes to utilize adjunctive therapies such as acupuncture, hydrotherapy or counseling, visits can be as frequent as every one to two weeks.
What age group do you work with?
I work with every age group, from infants to senior populations, for both general health care and for cancer care.
Can I still come for an appointment to see a naturopathic doctor if I don't have cancer?
Yes, definitely. Dr. Appelmann also runs his general private practice out of this location and works with all health concerns. And many patients without cancer also visit in order to have a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs for helping to prevent cancer as well. For more information on Dr. Appelmann and naturopathic medicine in general, please visit drappelmann.com.
Do you work with patients that do not want to use chemotherapy or other medical oncology treatments?
This is a very common question and one that is a lot more complex than it appears on the surface. Yes I will work with patients who do not wish to use other medical oncology treatments. However, a very frank discussion needs to take place as to why someone does not want to use some or any of these therapies. Questions such as 'what are your reasons for not wanting to use these therapies?', 'were the benefits and the risks of using these therapies explained to you?', 'were the risks of not using these therapies explained to you?', 'were potential side effects explained to you and were options on how these side effects can be managed explained?', 'what are your expectations in utilizing only naturopathic therapies?'. Ultimately the direction of treatment is always the patient's decision to make, but it is imperative that the patient be well informed in order to be able to make an educated decision.
Will you still work with me if I want advice on how to manage side effects or other health concerns if I don't want to use naturopathic medicine for my cancer during chemotherapy or other oncology treatments?
Yes. The direction of treatment is up to the patient, always. Managing other concurrent health concerns or managing the side effects of medications/oncology treatments while you are going through medical oncology treatments is something that naturopatic medicine can help with. Care will still be taken to ensure these recommendations/treatments will not interfere with your medical treatments.