Frequently Asked Questions

Many of your questions can be answered here.

What are the different services you offer?

1. Integrative & Functional Medicine Consultations: Our new patient intake process is fully comprehensive to cover such aspects as family history, social & environmental history, health concerns and preventive care. Your health journey will begin with an Initial Consultation with Dr. McCann or her PA-C, Matthew McGarvey. Each new patient experience is personalized with your health goals in mind. During your initial consult, together with the practitioner, we will create your treatment plan which will include innovative lab testing, dietary adjustments, body movement /exercise, supplementation and other lifestyle changes. We offer physical exams and other therapies.

As part of your initial assessment at the Spring Center you will also schedule a comprehensive physical assessment with our PA-C, Matthew McGarvey, along with a Functional Nutrition Consult with Sarah Choszczyk. There will be a total of 3 appointments to begin your health journey. We work as a medical team. Patients will see both Dr. McCann, her Physician Assistant, Matthew McGarvey and our Functional Nutritionist, Sarah Choszczyk.

2. Integrative & Functional Nutrition Consultations: After your initial nutrition consult, single-visits or packages are available to assist you in your health journey. All nutrition consults are done remotely.

3. IV Therapy: We offer a variety of intravenous therapies and injections, addressing issues ranging from general health and wellbeing support to focused treatment. Available IV therapies include nutrients, antioxidants, and targeted therapeutics. As with anything, IV therapy is part of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan developed between you and our providers, and thus not all patients receive IV treatments, while others may require regular infusions.

4. Targeted Allergy and Immunotherapy: For allergy conditions we utilize both sublingual immunotherapy treatments or low-dose allergy  therapy or LDA. These therapies can be helpful at reducing food reactions, environmental allergies and chemical sensitivities.

Is The Spring Center accepting new patients?

Our limited enrollment is currently on hold. We are not accepting new patients at this time. Please check back in the future. Please sign up for our email newsletter to be notified when enrollment reopens.

How long is the wait for an initial appointment?

Subsequent appointments with Dr. McCann, Matthew McGarvey, PA-C Sarah will be scheduled based on the initial treatment plans. The timing of these follow-up appointments can vary based on individual requirements. More complex chronic conditions require frequent appointments.

Dr. McCann typically books out 3-4 months in advance. Matthew McGarvey, PA-C typically books out 2-4 weeks in advance. The wait time for initial appointments depends on how quickly the new patient process is completed, which provider is being seen, and how full the schedule is at any given time.

Dr. McCann and Matt work as a medical team and consult on every patient on their health journey. You may be able to conduct your first visit with our PA-C, Matthew McGarvey to establish as a patient, then complete a follow up with Dr. McCann, depending on your health goals.

Please note: we do not make urgent new patient appointments.

What is the wait time to book follow-up appointments?

Dr. McCann typically books out 3-4 months in advance. Matthew McGarvey, PA-C typically books out 2-4 weeks in advance. We strongly encourage all of our patients to schedule their follow-up appointments well in advance to maintain consistent care.

Do I need to see the Physician Assistant and the Functional Nutritionist?

Yes, part of the new patient experience is to see Dr. McCann and her PA-C, Matthew McGarvey. You will also see our Functional Nutritionist, Sarah Choszczyk. Our office team provides crucial services to support patients. Dr. McCann oversees the care for all patients and may have them see Matthew McGarvey for physical exams, lab review and treatment plan modification. Sarah Choszczyk helps with dietary needs.

Do you offer urgent visits?

We are not set up to see patients urgently. If you have an urgent concern, we recommend you see your primary care physician or go to the local emergency room. We prioritize patients with COVID symptoms and make sure they get the care they need.

How do I become a patient?

Our limited enrollment is currently on hold. We are not accepting new patients at this time. Please check back in the future. Please sign up for our email newsletter to be notified when enrollment reopens.

How do I submit my previous medical records?

Once you are accepted as a patient, you will have access to a secure patient portal.

What conditions do you treat?

  • Acne
  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Allergies – Environment and food
  • Anxiety
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Cancer prevention and adjunctive cancer care
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Eczema/Psoriasis
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Fatigue
  • Female Disorders (PMS, PCOS, fertility)
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Food sensitivities
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • GERD
  • Headaches
  • Healthy Aging
  • Heart Health
  • Hormone Balance
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Hypertension
  • Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Insomnia
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Men’s Health Issues
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Migraines
  • Mood Disorders
  • Neurological conditions
  • Obesity
  • Osteoporosis
  • Restless legs Syndrome
  • Sleep Disorders
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Women’s Health issues

Complex Chronic Illness Conditions Treated

  • Brain Fog
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Complications from COVID19
  • Dementia
  • Detoxification Protocols
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)
  • Environmental Toxin exposures
  • Epstein Barr Virus
  • Genetic Disorders
  • Lyme Disease and chronic infections
  • Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
  • Metal Toxicity
  • Methylation
  • Mold Exposure/ Mold Toxicity
  • Mystery Illnesses
  • Neurological disorders
  • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
  • SIBO/SIFO – Small intestinal bacterial/fungal overgrowth
  • Yeast overgrowth

What modalities do you use for treatment?

Modalties Utilized

  • Acupuncture
  • Allopathic Medicine
  • CNS Vital Signs
  • Diet/Nutrition Support
  • Functional Genomic Nutrition - Methylation
  • Group Visits
  • Integrative Medicine
  • IV therapies – Chelation, PK protocol, Nutrients
  • Functional Medicine
  • LDA – Low Dose Allergy Therapy
  • LDI – Low Dose Immunotherapy
  • Meditation Classes
  • Nutritional Counseling (Please visit this page)
  • Orthostatic Vital Signs
  • VCS testing
  • Yoga Classes

Do you treat autoimmune disease and / or chronic infections?

Yes, we treat both autoimmune conditions and chronic infections from both a functional and integrative approach. Please see previous question for full list of conditions we treat.

Do you treat children?

Yes, we do work with children. Dr. McCann is a certified pediatrician. However, we do require that you have your own primary care physician for your child.

Do you treat men?

Yes! We treat all genders! Health is not just the absence of disease, but a state of overall wellness and vitality that anyone can—and should—experience!

Can I use you as my primary care physician?

We recommend you have a primary care physician who is available for urgent visits, after hours and beyond. We are a specialty practice offering additional consultative services.

What is the treatment protocol for Lyme / mold / autoimmune / etc?

As each individual is unique, so is each treatment unique. Two people with the same diagnosis can have vastly different treatment plans based on their background, medical history, nutritional profile, genetic makeup, etc. We take into account all of these factors, along with each person’s capacity, budget, and preferences while creating a treatment plan to promote healing.

What is your experience with Lyme?

Dr. McCann is a leading expert on living with and treating Lyme and co-infections. She has been studying the effects for well over a decade, is a member of ILADS, attends educational conferences regularly, continuously updates her arsenal of tools and has helped many patients learn to manage their Lyme and recover from their on-going symptoms. Dr. McCann is also on 2 professional medical boards committed to educating other practitioners about Lyme Disease, mold exposure and environmental toxin exposures and their impact on health.

What is your experience with mold and mycotoxin illness?

Dr. McCann is an expert in helping people who have been exposed to mold and mycotoxins. She understands how difficult it can be to manage the symptoms of these exposures, which can include mast cell activation, SIBO, POTS and dysautonomia, chronic fatigue, and neurological problems. She takes a personalized approach with each patient, incorporating treatment methods from experts like Ritchie Shoemaker, Neil Nathan, Joe Brewer, and herself. This approach includes gentle detoxification methods.

She currently serves on 2 professional medical boards that aim to educate professionals and the public about environmental exposures. These boards are The American Academy of Environmental Medicine and the International Society of Environmentally Acquired Illness. She also regularly lectures to medical professionals on Mold and Mycotoxins, and has been interviewed on the Toxic Mold Summit.

What is your success rate?

This is a partnership and like anything, the work you put into it, is what you will get out of it. In Integrative and Functional medicine, there is no “quick-fix” or “easy remedy”. Success typically is realized when patients have an openness to lifestyle changes, diet adjustments to fuel your body, exercise, nutritional supplementation, and a positive attitude. We firmly believe in the Mind, Body, Spirit connection, as our system is all intertwined. When you focus positive attention on all 3, you can begin to heal and live your fullest life.

What are the costs?

At The Spring Center, we have a hybrid model. We accept insurance as partial payment for services, and we also have additional fees. This is because our medical practice is specialized and we offer a lot of services that other practices don't. Functional & Integrative medicine requires more time and training, which is why our fees are not typical of conventional practices.

What does the enrollment fee cost and cover?

When you come to our office for the first time, we will have already looked at your medical history. This way, we can start to help you before we even meet you.

The Enrollment Fee will be announced when Enrollment reopens in early 2023

What are some additional costs I may encounter? Lab fees, supplements, nutritional counseling?

In addition to non-billable services, patients may also pay for IV nutrients and materials, supplements, lab kits, lab fees, and other miscellaneous items. Some of the labs we work with can bill insurance for tests, but we ask that patients first verify coverage for their ordered tests prior to having the labs done. For the labs that don’t accept insurance, fees will be provided. We strongly encourage our patients to become familiar with their insurance coverage, as with the thousands of plans, it is impossible for us to check each one for every patient.

The Enrollment Fee will be announced when Enrollment reopens in early 2023.

*this fee is charged upon scheduling and is separate from the cost of the initial visit

How often would I need to come in for visits?

This varies from individual to individual. Most new patients can expect 2-3 appointments within the first couple of months, with follow-up appointments as individually directed. Those with complex medical issues are encouraged to make regular appointments.

Do you offer telehealth visits?

Yes! We offer telemedicine. Patients can choose to be seen in-person or via our secure telehealth platform. As of now, telehealth appointments are billable to insurance. *Please note, this may change in the future. Visits with our functional nutritionist are exclusively virtual.

What insurance do you accept?

As a courtesy, we bill most PPO insurances and Medicare for a portion of the office visits. We do not perform benefit verification, therefore, we ask that prospective patients become familiar with their insurance plan(s) and check with the plan to determine if we are in- or out-of-network.

For a list of current accepted insurances and some we DO NOT accept, scroll down below. Please note, these are subject to change and we strongly encourage patients to confirm first with their plan that we are in-network.

We accept the following insurance carriers/plans for payment of medical services at in-network rates:

  • AARP
  • Aetna PPO, POS and EPO (managed care, Premier POS 2 & open access select, APCN POS 2 & open access select, Savings +, Coventry)
  • Aetna Medicare PPO (must have us listed as PCP)
  • Anthem Blue Cross PPO (Prudent Buyer PPO and Senior PPO networks, may be able to bill out of network for others)
  • APWU Health Plans
  • Assurant PPO
  • Blue Shield PPO (most plans in-network, some may be billed out of network such as Tandem)
  • BEGIN
  • Cigna Open Access Plus PPO
  • EBA&M
  • First Health Network
  • Great West
  • Health Net PPO, EPO and HSP
  • Humana PPO
  • KIPC (Kaiser) POS and PPO through MultiPlan
  • Medicare
  • MultiPlan/ PHCS (some exclusions)
  • National Association of Letter Carriers
  • Orange County Foundation
  • OC Preferred Provider Organization
  • Oxford Health
  • PCIP
  • Physicians Care of Orange County
  • UMR
  • United Healthcare PPO
  • Various Trusts

We accept the following Covered California plans (Affordable Care Act):

  • Health Net PPO, EPO and HSP – in network
  • Blue Shield PPO – in network

We do NOT accept the following:

  • All HMO plans
  • Aetna MemorialCare plans (or any insurance company plan through MemorialCare)
  • MediCal
  • Optum (includes plans through companies like Anthem, such as Blue Open Access POS)
  • CalOptima
  • Tricare (as primary insurance, exception may apply, contact Tricare)
  • Cigna Local Plus PPO plan
  • Anthem EPO and Anthem Select network (including PPOs)
  • Any Healthshare plans (Liberty Healthshare, Christian Care Network, etc.)
  • Oscar
  • O’NA Healthcare

**This information is current to our knowledge but could change at any time. It is the responsibility of the patient to be familiar with their insurance plan benefits, and to confirm whether we are in-network with their plan.

*** We bill insurance as a courtesy and there are additional fees above and beyond.

What is your cancellation policy?

We reserve that time specifically for you and do not overbook. For initial appointment cancellations received less than ONE WEEK in advance will result in a $250 cancellation fee. If you decide after booking your initial appointments that you do not want to become a patient, there is an administrative fee starting at $195.

For follow-up appointments cancellations received less than 48 business hours in advance will incur a $95 cancellation fee.

How do you collect co-insurance and deductibles (patient responsibility)?

Once your insurance has processed your visit claim, if there is a patient responsibility we will set up an auto payment on your credit card on file.

You will be notified in your patient portal  7 days before this charge occurs. * We do not mail paper bills.

Can I schedule my spouse / sibling / parent / adult child / other adult?

We believe that patients with a strong, supportive community can have excellent health outcome. We also believe that taking personal responsibility for one’s health is crucial. We want to develop a relationship with each patient, therefore we ask that able adults contact us to begin their personal journey. Of course, parents are encouraged to facilitate the new patient process for their minor children, although even children greatly benefit from having some responsibility in their healthcare.

Will you order labs prior to my initial visit?

Labs are almost always ordered at the initial visit, but not prior. In order to understand what testing is necessary, our providers will need to thoroughly review your new patient paperwork & records and have a conversation with you about your health needs and goals.

Can you refill prescriptions prior to my initial visit?

Before we can manage your health needs, including prescriptions, we must establish you as a patient. At your initial visit our providers can discuss any medication needs you have and refill prescriptions, if warranted.

How do you take care of getting my previous records?

Once accepted as a patient, it is vital that we receive previous records PRIOR to the initial visit.

What does your FRAGRANCE FREE office policy mean?

We encourage you to avoid using any fragrance products every day. Fragrances and the chemicals they contain can be harmful to your health. Thank you for understanding and complying with this request for a toxin-free environment. This includes fragrance of any kind: body lotion, body wash, perfume, hair products (shampoo, conditioner, hair spray), fabric softener, laundry detergent.