Holistic Dr.

KHoekstra

I would love to switch to a holistic PCP, but I don't know where to find one.  I rarely go to the dr b/c I don't want them to just prescribe me an antibiotic and move on so I use my own mix of vitamins and herbs.  I do try to be smart about it and go to the dr when necessary (I just had to go with a staph infection so I recognize more serious issues)  Anyway, I would love a holistic dr with the same approach to my care as I have.  I live in a suburban/ slightly rural area so I wouldn't be surprised if we don't have any, but is there a database where I can look it up?

And does anyone go to one?  I'd love to here your experience, whether it's good or bad.  I'm just looking for info now.

dieselmonkey

i go to an integrative medicine office. it is affiliated with a large teaching hospital.  she is a wonderful MD. she won't just throw pills at you. it is a great mix of eastern and western medicines. 

i would recommend looking up integrative medicine in your area. or maybe try a DO instead of an MD. or have you tried an NP.  their philosophy on care is a "holistic approach".

MauiWedding08

I see a naturopathic doctor for primary care.  I'm not entirely sure she can do referrals like a MD can for insurance purposes - because my insurance doesn't require that.

I had a recommendation from a friend for the ND I see.  She also was listed under ND medicine on my insurance (bonus).  There is a naturopathic provider website

I just did a quick search for my area and didn't really like how things were listed (first listed ND is over an hour away when I know here are many great local ones. hmmmm), so I'm not sure how reliable it is. 

MauiWedding08

oh and I should say - my ND usually tells me all the different courses of action we could take - herbs, homepathy, acupuncture, etc but she can also prescribe medications.  I think there are some limits as to what she can prescribe but I haven't run into any issues. 

I really like that.  Because of this "whole person" approach she is always really open and I know she has pretty much read my whole file and knows what is going on with me.  I was so tired of going to a dr. and only seeing the actual dr. for about 5 mins.  and usually using that 5 mins to tell the dr. things that were in my file because I had told the receptionist when making an appointment and just told the nurse during intake.

KHoekstra

Thanks for that link.  I found a dr about 30 min from me.  I wish it said something about them but I'll see if I can find anything out on my local board.

Thanks for the thoughts on insurance too.  I hadn't even thought about whether insurance would cover it or not.  Does your insurance cover you seeing them?  You'd think it would be cheaper for them so they would be all for it but I know it rarely works that way! (kind of like home births costing you more even though they're less expensive!)

MauiWedding08

my insurance covers my visits there - just like they would if I went to a normal MD. One minor downside is that an ND will probably want to see you a lot more regularly than an MD depending on your health concerns.  Therefore I pay the co-pay a lot more regularly. I don't mind though because I definitely feel like I'm getting my $ worth. 

Oh and usually the herbs and supplements are not covered under my prescription plan (unless it's stuff that actually gets filled at the pharm.).  I would love to have a flex spending account (tax free) for that purpose.

The few times I have tried the homeopathy therapy it was billed under an office visit charge. I guess maybe because I took the remedy in office.

Good luck, I hope you can get a good recommendation.  If not, call them to see if they do any sort of initial consultation.  I know when I made my first appointment they asked me if I wanted to come in to get to know the practice first and I assume that might have been a free tour/meet and greet.