Frequently Asked Questions

Functional medicine is a science-based, personalized healthcare approach that assesses and treats underlying causes of illness. Treatment is individually tailored to restore health and improve function. It works to prevent and reverse chronic disease and is often referred to as Root Cause Analysis Medicine.

Functional medicine doctors look at health differently. We look at biological imbalances that cause symptoms. We focus on WHY a symptom or problem is happening. We prioritize lifestyle interventions as the most important initial intervention followed by integrative/alternative approaches and conventional pharmaceuticals only if needed. It is very personalized care. When the focus is on WHY, the treatment plan needs to be tailored to the contributing factors specific to the patient.

We believe everyone can benefit from functional medicine. Some patients seek this kind of care to optimize their health with aging. Sometimes patients come for signs and symptoms inadequately treated with conventional medicine. Some patients share our philosophy and prefer to optimize integrative and lifestyle interventions first and use pharmaceuticals as a last resort.

• Thyroid conditions including Hashimoto’s Disease, thyroid imbalance and Hypothyroidism
• Hormonal imbalances
• Immune system disorders
• Adrenal dysfunction
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic fatigue
• Cognitive decline and other neurodegenerative conditions
• Diabetes
• Elevated cholesterol
• General health and wellness
• Gastrointestinal disorders such as GERD, IBS, IBD
• Hair loss
• High toxic burden and detoxification
• Menopausal symptoms
• Menstrual disorders
• Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression
• Musculoskeletal pain
• Skin disorders
• Weight management

For additional information, see our treatments or schedule a 15 minute consultation to find out if Sparkle Health is right for you.

Unfortunately, no. Sparkle Health does not provide full conventional primary care services. We are not contracted with insurance companies and do not provide urgent care or 24/7 evening and weekend coverage. You must have a primary care doctor with whom you can consult in the event of an emergency or urgent health concern. At your request and upon completion of an Authorization to Release Medical Records, we can communicate with your PCP about your care at Sparkle Health.

If you have a serious health problem that requires immediate attention, call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room. If you notice an adverse effect from one of the components of your Sparkle Health treatment plan, discontinue its use and send a portal message to Dr. Mercuro.

Dr. Mercuro requires an in-person visit for the initial examination and at least once per year. She is licensed in both MA and NH and can see you via Zoom or telemedicine (phone) if you are a resident of MA or NH for all other visits.

No. Dr. Mercuro requires a minimum of one in-person visit per 12-month period in order to prescribe medication for you.

No, we do not accept insurance. All fees are settled directly between you and Sparkle Health according to the plan you select. Our goal is to help you reach your personal health goals. We are your advocate and partner in health and work directly for you, not your health insurance company, to deliver exceptional care.

An itemized receipt including diagnostic and treatment codes is available to all non-Medicare patients upon request. Please note that our office has opted-out of the Medicare program. Medicare patients may not submit claims to Medicare for services rendered at Sparkle Health. This includes standard Medicare and all Medicare Advantage plans.

Our fee for a new patient consultation is $499. New patient consults consist of two one-hour appointments. The first is with Dr. Mercuro and the second is with our functional nutritionist, Kate Swords. These visits will occur on separate dates to allow time for the doctor and nutritionist to discuss your medical history, current medical status and overall plan going forward. A $100 deposit is collected when you schedule your first appointment and the remaining $399 is due at the first appointment. You may reschedule this visit if you give us a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. If you fail to show up to your first visit or cancel/reschedule within the minimum timeframe, the deposit is non-refundable. Additional costs will depend on which plan you select.

You select the plan that works best for you and your health goals! Our plans are for a 12-month period. New patients typically begin with the Enhanced or Premium plan in order to have the most access to all Sparkle Health has to offer while beginning their health and wellness journey. The Standard plan is ideal for maintenance care. All of our plans have the ability to add extra visits if needed. Please see detailed plan descriptions and costs.

Functional medicine is best delivered longitudinally over an extended period of time. One visit can help you to see your body and your health in a different way but change and improvements happen over time and with commitment. For that reason, cost-effective 12-month package options are available to optimize your interactions with Sparkle Health. In the conventional business model, doctors are reimbursed when patients visit the office. In this model, we can do what makes the most sense. If there is something that can be resolved by portal message or phone, that option is available to you. Additionally, conventional medical models encourage doctors to have unlimited numbers of patients while Sparkle Health limits the number of patients to allow for adequate time and attention to your personalized care.

Plan selection is required at your initial consultation. After speaking with Dr. Mercuro, you will have a good idea as to how many visits you can expect to have in the next 12-month period. Your plan selection will begin on the day of your initial nutrition visit and will repeat monthly for 12 months on the credit card we have on file for you.

Plan fees are often paid by HSA/FSA accounts. We recommend you contact your insurance administrator directly to confirm coverage prior to purchasing a plan. Itemized receipts including diagnostic and treatment codes are available for all visits with Dr. Mercuro.

No, Sparkle Health plans do not satisfy HCA requirements for healthcare insurance. You still need to carry health insurance.

After-hours emergency and urgent care, lab testing, medications, supplements, specialty care, and imaging are not covered services at Sparkle Health. IV therapies are available at an additional cost. Depending on which plan you select, massage, sauna and PEMF sessions may be included or available at a discounted rate.

Sparkle Health provides access to advanced lab testing to get to the bottom of pesky symptoms and identify potential health risks. Testing is personalized to you based on your goals and the findings from your initial evaluation. Insurance coverage varies by policy and is specific to your particular contract. We suggest you call the Member Services number on the back of your insurance card for confirmation of your laboratory services benefits. Most insurance plans cover labs done by major national laboratories. If your insurance contract requires you use a particular facility (i.e. Quest, LabCorp), you must inform us in advance. Sometimes there is partial coverage for specialty labs and other times those labs are not covered at all. In these cases you will be charged a fee directly from the lab. Some labs offer discounted testing if you elect to self-pay. We make every effort to advise you of the additional lab fees and give you the opportunity to choose which tests you feel comfortable paying for. You are under no obligation to purchase any specialty testing. Should lab results indicate a need for additional testing, you will be directed to continue care with your primary care physician, relevant specialist or continue to work with Sparkle Health.

Yes, lab results are posted to the patient portal immediately upon receipt at Sparkle Health. Lab reviews can often be done via the patient portal. If more discussion is needed, Dr. Mercuro may require an appointment to review them and discuss next steps.

If you are an active patient, Dr. Mercuro will refill prescriptions that have originated in our office. Please use the Medication section of the patient portal to request prescription refills. You may also send a portal message or call the office if you prefer. Keep in mind that prescriptions that are custom made by compounding pharmacies and mail order prescriptions that are shipped to you require additional time. Please plan ahead and allow ample time for the refill process.

The patient portal provides secure, encrypted communications directly between patients and Sparkle Health team members. It is an invaluable tool that should be used for general communications and quick follow-up questions. It can be used to schedule appointments and obtain visit summaries, lab orders and lab results. Personal information updates such as address, phone, credit card and pharmacy preferences can be completed directly by you. 

IMPORTANT: Please keep in mind that the portal is reserved for straightforward, non-urgent concerns and should not be used as a substitute for an appointment.

Physician appointments:

New Patient Appointments – 48 hours
Existing Patient Appointments – 24 hours

When you schedule an appointment at Sparkle Health, that time is reserved exclusively for you. We meticulously prepare for each appointment and create individually tailored programs prior to your arrival. If you cannot keep your scheduled appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we may offer that time to another patient in need of care.

Existing Patients: A $100 fee for no-shows and cancellations made within 24-hours of your appointment time will apply. This fee will automatically process on the credit card we have on file.

New Patients: If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment time or do not arrive at your appointment, your $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel before the 48-hour deadline, your $100 deposit may be applied to a future appointment.

Other Services including Massage Therapy, Nutrition Visits, Health Coaching and IV Therapy:

New and Existing Patient Appointments – 24 hours

Existing Patients: A $50 fee for no-shows and cancellations made within 24-hours of your appointment time will apply. This fee will automatically process on the credit card we have on file.

New Patients: A $50 fee for no-shows and cancellations made within 24-hours of your appointment time will apply. This fee will automatically process on the credit card we have on file.

Call the office at (603) 328-8101 to determine availability. If offered an appointment time, a HOLD will be placed for you for 48-hours. A credit card will be collected for a $100 deposit which will be processed upon completion of your forms. Initial appointments are not confirmed until all online forms are completed, and your deposit is processed. If the forms remain incomplete 48-hours after scheduling your appointment or a credit card has not been put on file for the deposit, we will assume you have changed your mind and your appointment will be removed from the schedule.

– Comfortable clothing for an easy exam.
– Supplements or medications you are currently taking. Please bring the actual bottles.
– Pertinent lab work and other tests done during the past year and years, if relevant. You may bring physical copies to your appointment or upload them electronically to the Labs & Documents section of your patient portal for review before your appointment.
– Health insurance card(s) for lab work.
– For Nutrition Appointment: Electronically completed 3-Day Food Diary to help us understand your diet. Don’t forget the details: For example, instead of “coffee”, try “one cup of caffeinated coffee with one teaspoon of sugar.”

Every individual has an ideal diet based on the way their body functions. While a vegan diet can be successful for one individual, it can be a disaster for another. The same can be said for low-fat, low-carb, vegetarian, Paleo, Mediterranean, etc. Functional nutrition acknowledges a vast array of food plans and tailors a dietary approach to the specific physiological needs and personal preferences of the individual. The emphasis is on choosing high quality foods with a diversity of phytonutrients and eating them in a manner that supports metabolic balance and optimal nutrition status. Our customized approach addresses the underlying imbalances in your core clinical functions while creating a healthy relationship with food. The ultimate goal is to help you become aware of how food may be impacting your health and contributing to the development and persistence of chronic disease.

No. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to be part of a community seeking optimal health. Even if you are not a member, you are welcome to attend any of our educational offerings for a fee unless otherwise specified.

No. Dr. Mercuro prescribes and oversees all IV infusions that take place at Sparkle Health. Her prescription is based on her assessment of your health over the course of your treatment.

Yes, massage services are available by appointment to non-members. Please call the office to schedule an appointment and discuss pricing.