A functional health office visit for a new patient is a first-time visit to a chronic or new condition with a doctor specializing in functional medicine. Functional medicine is a systems biology based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. Each symptom or differential diagnosis may be one of many contributing to an individual’s illness. Functional medicine can be helpful in addressing gastrointestinal, hormonal, sleep, or skin issues, and support optimal health. A new patient office visit is needed if you have never seen this doctor and would be new to the practice, or it has been over 3 years since you last saw this doctor.