Practice Policies

Appointment Policy

Scheduling

All visits are by appointment only. New and returning patients may book online through the patient portal or by calling (510) 770-6274. A complimentary 15-minute phone or Zoom consultation is available for prospective patients – no obligation and no clinical advice given.

New Patient Preparation

Complete health history and consent forms online at least five hours before your first appointment
A credit card is required on file to hold all appointments
Initial appointments must be prepaid in full at the time of booking. If payment is not received 24 hours before the appointment, it will be released

Arriving for Your Appointment

Please arrive on time – appointments begin and end at their scheduled times out of respect for all patients
If you arrive late, we will do our best to provide treatment within the remaining time at the full scheduled fee
Please silence your cell phone before entering the treatment room
Children must always be supervised in the office
Free private parking available. ADA-accessible parking near the entrance

Contacting the Practice

Non-urgent matters: phone (510) 770-6274 or email mari@numinousacupunctureandalchemy.com. Mari Kubota endeavors to read and respond to email within 72 hours on business days but cannot guarantee a response within any specific time
We do not provide medical advice by text message or social media
For medical emergencies: call 911 immediately

Cancellation Policy

Notice given	Policy
24+ hours notice	Cancel or reschedule at no charge
First late cancellation (under 24 hrs)	Half the session fee held as a credit for your next visit. Half applied as a cancellation fee. No expiration on credits.
Two or more consecutive late cancellations	Entire session fee applied as a cancellation fee. Credits cannot be accrued for multiple late cancellations.
No-show	Full session fee charged except in cases of emergency.
Illness	Cancel without penalty if you are feeling unwell. Please contact us as soon as possible.

True emergencies – medical emergencies, family crises, severe weather – will be considered individually with understanding and compassion. Patients with a pattern of missed appointments may be required to prepay for future appointments.

How to Cancel or Reschedule

Online through the patient portal at any time
Phone: (510) 770-6274 during business hours
Email: mari@numinousacupunctureandalchemy.com for non-urgent cancellations

Payment Policy

Cash, Venmo, and Zelle are accepted with no processing fee. Credit cards, debit cards, and HSA/FSA cards are accepted and processed securely through Stripe – a processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction applies for card payments. Patients preferring to avoid this fee are welcome to pay by cash, Venmo, or Zelle.

HSA & FSA

Acupuncture is eligible under most HSA and FSA plans. Confirm eligibility with your plan administrator.

Insurance

We are out-of-network and do not bill insurance directly. Payment is due at time of service. We provide superbills for potential reimbursement – decisions are between you and your insurer.

No Surprises Act – Good Faith Estimate

If you are uninsured or paying out of pocket, you have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs before scheduled services. Request one at the time of booking at no charge.

Packages & Memberships

Packages expire one year from purchase and are non-refundable
Memberships are month-to-month with a 3-month minimum. Cancel before next renewal date. Unused sessions from cancelled memberships may be credited toward other services
California law: Gift certificates do not expire and retain their full value indefinitely. No fees may be assessed against their value

Scope of Practice

Treatment plans are individualized based on your specific health history, constitution, and goals. Progress is evaluated regularly and approaches modified accordingly. If expected progress is not occurring, Mari will discuss alternatives or refer you to a more appropriate provider – referral is a sign of professional responsibility, not failure.

Mari Kubota, LAc., Dipl.Ac., MSAOM practices within the California Acupuncture Practice Act (BPC §4927). She provides acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal medicine, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and energy medicine. She does not diagnose Western medical conditions, prescribe pharmaceuticals, or perform surgery. TCM assessment reflects Traditional Chinese Medicine principles and is distinct from Western medical diagnosis.

For health and safety standards, needle safety protocols, infection control procedures, and emergency contact information, please see our Safety & Quality Standards page.

Contact Us

Mari Kubota, LAc., Dipl.Ac., MSAOM
2381 Mariner Square Drive, Suite 175, Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 770-6274
mari@numinousacupunctureandalchemy.com

Effective date: April 2026 | Last updated: May 2026