Use Your Health Benefits Before Year-End: Naturopathic Testing & Clinic Services
Written by Dr. Melanie Hudson, ND
Edited for Hudson Integrative Healthcare
As the end of the year approaches, many people start checking how much remains in their extended health benefits or Health Spending Account (HSA).
If your plan resets at the end of December, unused benefits may not carry forward into the new year.
That makes the fall and early winter a good time to think about healthcare appointments, concerns you have been meaning to address, or testing that may be appropriate based on your health history.
At Hudson Integrative Healthcare, patients often use this time of year to book naturopathic appointments, complete laboratory testing, return for chiropractic or osteopathic care, or make use of other eligible healthcare services before their benefits renew.
Coverage varies significantly between insurance plans. Always confirm with your insurer whether a particular appointment, laboratory test or service is covered under your individual policy or Health Spending Account.
Using Your Naturopathic Benefits Before They Reset
If you have naturopathic coverage remaining, you do not necessarily need to wait until you have a major new health concern to use it.
A follow-up appointment can be an opportunity to review things such as:
- Current symptoms or health concerns
- Recent blood work
- Medications and supplements
- Nutrition
- Sleep
- Stress
- Digestive health
- Menstrual or hormonal concerns
- Cardiovascular or metabolic health
- Preventive health goals
Your naturopathic doctor can also help determine whether additional blood work or specialized laboratory testing would provide useful information.
For patients who have not been seen recently, year-end can be a good opportunity to check in before another busy year begins.
Can You Use Health Benefits for Lab Testing?
This depends entirely on your insurance plan.
Private laboratory testing ordered through a naturopathic doctor is generally not covered by OHIP, and the cost of the laboratory itself is separate from the naturopathic appointment.
However, some patients are able to claim certain laboratory expenses through a Health Spending Account or extended benefits plan.
Before purchasing a test, we recommend confirming reimbursement requirements directly with your insurer.
Our naturopathic doctors can help determine whether testing is clinically appropriate and which option best matches the question being investigated.
Routine LifeLabs Blood Work
Routine blood testing can be useful when assessing general health or investigating specific symptoms.
Depending on your individual situation, blood work may include markers related to:
- Iron and ferritin
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
- Thyroid function
- Blood sugar
- Insulin
- Cholesterol and triglycerides
- Liver function
- Kidney function
- Inflammation
- Nutrient status
- Hormones
Our naturopathic doctors can provide private LifeLabs requisitions when appropriate.
Patients can then visit a LifeLabs location for collection, and the results are returned to the ordering naturopathic doctor for review.
Typical private laboratory cost: approximately $50–$250+, depending on the markers ordered.
DUTCH Hormone Testing
The DUTCH test — Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones — provides a detailed assessment of hormone production and metabolism.
Depending on the specific panel, testing may include information related to:
- Estrogen and estrogen metabolites
- Progesterone
- Testosterone and androgens
- Cortisol patterns
- Cortisol metabolites
- Other hormone-related markers
It may be considered when investigating concerns related to menstrual cycles, perimenopause, menopause or other hormone-related symptoms.
For patients considering or already using hormone therapy, laboratory testing may sometimes form part of a broader clinical assessment. The appropriate type of testing depends on the individual situation.
Typical cost: approximately $300–$450+, depending on the panel selected.
SIBO Breath Testing
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO, can contribute to digestive symptoms in some people.
A breath test measures gases produced after drinking a specific testing solution.
SIBO testing may be considered in patients experiencing concerns such as:
- Persistent bloating
- Abdominal distension
- Excess gas
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- IBS-type symptoms
Typical cost: approximately $275.
Testing is not appropriate for every person with digestive symptoms, so your naturopathic doctor can help determine whether it makes sense in your particular case.
GI-MAP Stool Testing
The GI-MAP is a comprehensive stool test used to assess a variety of gastrointestinal markers.
Depending on the panel, testing may provide information related to:
- Certain gastrointestinal microorganisms
- Digestive function
- Intestinal inflammation
- Pancreatic function
- Other markers related to gastrointestinal health
It may be considered when investigating persistent or complex digestive symptoms.
Typical cost: approximately $575+.
Food Sensitivity Testing
Some patients are interested in laboratory testing when trying to understand whether particular foods may be associated with ongoing symptoms.
Hudson Integrative Healthcare offers RMA food sensitivity testing when appropriate.
These tests should be interpreted within the context of symptoms, diet and medical history rather than being used as a stand-alone diagnosis.
Typical cost: approximately $275–$350+, depending on the panel.
Your naturopathic doctor can discuss the strengths and limitations of food sensitivity testing before deciding whether it is a useful option for you.
Other Specialized Testing Is Available
The tests above are some of the more commonly requested options, but they are not the only laboratory services available through our naturopathic doctors.
Depending on your health concerns, additional testing options may be discussed.
The goal is not simply to order more tests.
The goal is to choose testing when the result is likely to change the assessment, treatment plan or next step in care.
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
Some established naturopathic patients also choose to use remaining eligible benefits for Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture (FRA).
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is an appearance-focused acupuncture treatment that may also provide the relaxation benefits many people associate with acupuncture sessions.
Current appointment price: approximately $120 per session, subject to change.
Insurance coverage varies. Patients should confirm with their insurer whether acupuncture performed by their naturopathic doctor is eligible under their particular plan.
Existing naturopathic patients may be able to book Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture directly.
New patients require an initial naturopathic assessment before or as part of beginning acupuncture care.
Other Ways to Use Remaining Health Benefits
Depending on your insurance plan, other services available at Hudson Integrative Healthcare may also qualify for reimbursement.
These include:
- Naturopathic Medicine & Acupuncture
- Chiropractic Care
- Osteopathic Manual Therapy
- Registered Psychotherapy
This can be a good time to address concerns that may have been put off during a busy year, including pain, mobility concerns, stress, mental health, digestive concerns, hormonal symptoms or general health goals.
Coverage limits and eligible provider types vary between insurance policies, so confirm the details of your individual plan.
Direct Billing Is Available
Our reception team can direct bill many extended health insurance plans for eligible services.
Direct billing can make appointments more convenient, but insurance companies ultimately determine what is covered and how much they reimburse.
Patients remain responsible for confirming:
- Annual coverage limits
- Remaining benefit balances
- Deductibles
- Referral requirements
- Eligible provider types
- Whether laboratory testing is reimbursable
- Whether a Health Spending Account can be used
Our reception team is happy to assist with the billing process wherever possible.
Don’t Wait Until the Final Week of December
December appointments can fill quickly.
Some laboratory testing also requires a naturopathic appointment before a requisition or test kit can be provided.
If you know you still have unused health benefits, checking your balance earlier in the fall gives you more time to decide whether there is care or testing you genuinely want to complete before your plan resets.
Remember that not every insurance plan renews on December 31, so check your own policy dates.
Existing Naturopathic Patients
If you are already a patient at Hudson Integrative Healthcare, book a follow-up with your naturopathic doctor to discuss your current health concerns, review testing options or determine whether any laboratory work would be useful before year-end.
Your ND can prepare appropriate LifeLabs requisitions or specialized test kits when clinically indicated.
Book an appointment:
Existing Naturopathic Patients
New to Hudson Integrative Healthcare?
If you are not currently a naturopathic patient, begin with an Initial Naturopathic Consultation.
Your naturopathic doctor will review your health history, symptoms, medications, supplements, previous testing and current goals before recommending next steps.
Testing can then be selected based on your individual situation rather than ordering broad panels without clinical context.
Book an appointment:
New Naturopathic Patients
Make the Most of Your Benefits — Thoughtfully
Unused health benefits can be an opportunity to address something you have been meaning to investigate, return to a treatment plan that has been helpful, or complete testing that has already been recommended.
But more testing and more appointments are not automatically better.
A healthcare provider can help you determine what is actually useful for you rather than spending benefits simply because the end of the year is approaching.
At Hudson Integrative Healthcare, our goal is to help patients make informed decisions about their healthcare while making the most of the coverage available to them.
Book an Appointment at Hudson Integrative Healthcare
Hudson Integrative Healthcare
Stoney Creek, Ontario
Our multidisciplinary team offers naturopathic medicine, chiropractic care, osteopathic manual therapy, registered psychotherapy and other integrative healthcare services.
Naturopathic appointments are available in person at our Stoney Creek clinic and by telemedicine throughout Ontario.
Laboratory and appointment pricing shown is approximate as of Fall 2026 and may change. Insurance coverage varies by provider and individual policy. Patients should confirm eligibility and reimbursement directly with their insurer.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace individualized medical assessment or insurance advice.
Book An Appointment
