“Invest in yourself. It pays the best interest.”
~ Unknown Brilliant Person
When you hear or think about the word investment, what comes to mind? Investing money in the financial markets, investing in real estate, investing in your or your children’s education, investing in your business or career growth, investing in personal development courses/programs, maybe investing in your garden or your land and many other possibilities that potentially lead to a better future.
What about investing in your health, upgrading, nourishing and strengthening your body? Our human body is the most precious, sacred temple we own. It withstands SO much turmoil, stress, mistreatment, abuse, over-indulgence, under-indulgence, neglect, indifference and disregard over a lifetime. We often take our good health and our ‘good enough for now’ health for granted more than we’d like to admit, which eventually leads to mediocre or poor health.
It often takes a health crisis, an upsetting or devastating diagnosis, an accident, a catastrophe, an upheaval for us to finally wake up and attempt to “turn the ship around.” Many health conditions are completely reversible with the right direction, course of action and mindset. In some cases, that may not always be possible.
One of the most common questions I get asked by prospective clients is “Do you accept or bill insurance?”
Health insurance policies can hold a significant and crucial place in our society. It is excellent for acute and immediate care like emergency accidents, traumas and other life threatening incidents. In some cases, surgeries and pharmaceutical medications can be life saving as well as support an enhanced quality of life.
Diagnostic Imaging can provide cutting edge and incredibly valuable insights into the anatomy and health of the various organ systems within the body. And health insurance plans can also provide routine appointments and screening conventional lab testing that’s within the standard of care model.
And yet, you might consider asking yourself these important, reflective questions:
Is my health insurance plan fully allowing me to get all of my concerns, questions and symptoms addressed at each appointment or throughout the year?
Since I’m paying [this much money] in monthly premiums, if I need more guidance and personalized care, does it make financial sense to pay for extra appointments (via my deductible) – above and beyond what I’m already paying?
Are there focused action steps being taken by my medical provider to get to the underlying, root causes of my symptoms?
Shouldn’t I be given more specific and personalized recommendations for my body and my preferences instead of standardized doses for everyone?
Is my health being taken seriously instead of being downplayed, undermined and told “you’re fine – come back in 6-12 months or “just eat healthier and lose weight.”
Is my doctor or health care provider receptive and open minded to alternative types of therapies to further support my healing? Are they empowering me in an encouraging way or are they misusing their sense of power and control?
A common grievance that I hear from my patients nearly every single day is that they are not getting their medical needs met and they are not being completely heard and validated, despite that they are paying several thousands of dollars each year. I hear and empathize with their (your) frustration and honestly, it upsets me as well.
Another statement I often hear (that is actually rooted in scarcity thinking) is: “If it’s not covered by insurance, I can’t afford it.” Or can you?
People pay for what they value. And people give meaning to everything they pay for in their lives.
We spend more on our cars, boats, home furnishings, electronic devices, clothing, beauty products, Amazon.com, vacations, dining out, alcohol and other splurge items far greater than we do towards our health, prevention and longevity.
I’m certainly not implying to abandon your health insurance plan. It serves a purpose and it can be helpful in dire times of need. But when you expect to receive a certain level and depth of services (i.e. Personalized Functional Medicine) from an organization or institution that is not fully trained, financially sustai