Top Questions
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What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
The Direct Primary Care (DPC) model is a practice and payment model where patients/consumers pay their provider directly in the form of periodic payments for a defined set of primary care services. When you choose Intentionally Well as your DPC home, that primary care will be delivered with a focus on prevention, wellness promotion and addressing the root cause of your health concerns. Treatment choices will include nutritional interventions, supplements and botanical remedies. Membership in our community is designed to support your health choices to live Intentionally Well.
Do you treat patients with severe health problems and chronic illness?
My practice is in Primary Care. This means I can help you manage complex health conditions, keep you on track for recommended health screenings and address your concerns about acute illnesses and minor injuries. I have been in practice on the Treasure Coast for 4 decades and have some great contacts for specialist care. With your permission, I will keep your specialists informed of our shared efforts to move you closer to your best health.
Does Intentionally Well provide emergency medical services?
If you need emergency medical treatment, you must call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. Once your condition has stabilized, however, be sure to follow up with us so we can access your medical records and make sure you are on the road to full recovery, including reviewing what's needed in the way of nutritional support to help your body heal more quickly!
What do I have to do to work with you?
The premise of my practice is that your choices impact your health. If you are not well, I feel strongly that there are likely some lifestyle choices you have not been mindful about which are contributing to your unintentional unwellness. To be Intentionally Well, you must actively participate in planning for your well-being, acting everyday in accordance with your personalized health plan, and bringing mindful awareness to your body's responses to your choices.
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This approach is not for the person seeking a quick fix. We are about long term changes, sustained through community. If that sounds like something you are ready to commit to, then I know that we will create some profound changes!
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What will my first session be like?
Intentionally Well is a "direct primary care practice", meaning, my practice is based on a personalized relationship with each one of my patients. You have probably not experienced anything like the care you will get from me, and that is why you are looking at my website in the first place. You and I both know that there is little we can accomplish with out making a meaningful connection, and that takes time. So the first difference you will notice is that you have all the time you need. Many patients are surprised that I touch them and perform a physical exam. We also get extensive biometric data: body composition, grip strength, range of motion, peripheral nerve sensation, and many other measures of function, that you may have never had measured before.
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A key aspect to the care you will receive at Intentionally Well is my advanced training: As an integrative health coach and as a Functional Medicine Practitioner. These are more a philosophy of care than a specific set of protocols. And so whether you elect for the Ultimate Wellness Plan, where we will dive deeply into the root causes of your chronic disease and functional decline, or the more affordable Foundational Plan, every encounter you have with me will be from a functional medicine point of view- it's simply not a perspective a practitioner can turn off.
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Functional Medicine is different than most medical experiences you have had before. Because we seek to understand the root cause of your illness, your health history is very important to me. We will spend a good bit of time mapping out your health story. As your story informs my assessment, we will formulate a list of priorities for your well-being. You will have a thorough physical examination. Together we will identify the initial steps you will focus on in your personal journey to be Intentionally Well. Please plan for 120 minutes together.
Will I be able to get started immediately after my first appointment?
Yes, you will be able to start your program immediately. However, there is a lot to learn. As you learn more, you will become more comfortable with your program.
Consider signing up for classes, workshops and social events to support your learning and growth.
How long will it take for me to start feeling better?
You may notice a difference within a few days or it may take weeks or months. Each person heals differently depending on your particular symptoms and causes and how closely you adhere to your treatment plan.
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Know that there is no quick fix for treating systemic illnesses. The goal is to achieve permanent resolution, not just to minimize your symptoms until they return again. Excellent health is a way of life and a reflection of lifestyle which is comprised of the choices we make every day.
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Schedule an appointment today and start your journey back to wellness and vitality.
When does the program end and I am healed?
Once your body chemistry is balanced, the symptoms that once bothered you will start to disappear. The amount of time this takes varies from person to person because we all have different genetics and differing degrees of imbalance in our body chemistry. Once your body chemistry is balanced, you will transition to a maintenance program that will keep your body chemistry balanced and keep you feeling energetic.
Can I use my health insurance, health savings account or flexible spending account to pay Intentionally Well?
I am NOT an enrolled provider in Medicare but I can write orders for lab and imaging as well as pharmacy which will be covered according to Medicare policies. Unfortunately, Functional Medicine approaches, being aimed at improving health, are often considered not medically necessary. You will be required to sign an advanced beneficiary notice for such services and will be personally responsible for payment. If you are enrolled in any federally funded health care plan, you will be required to sign an additional document.
I am not a contracted provider for any other insurance companies, and I do not provide any bills for submission to your carrier for my services. Membership fees are not considered medically necessary by the IRS, either, so your monthly fees may not be permitted to be paid from your HSA or MSA. Please consult your accountant or tax adviser.
Of course I also accept direct payment for a variety of services designed for you to find a plan that works for you. You are responsible for payment for services rendered at the time of your visit. We do offer payment plans and membership programs in an effort to keep our services affordable for you.