What should we bring with us?
This is a frequently asked question from patients with a fairly simple answer. “Bring anything you put in your mouth.” Any medications, any supplements, and anything else you take to feel better. If it is prescribed by a doctor or over the counter it doesn’t matter. In order to understand what ails you we have to have a complete understanding of what you're taking.
Should we bring anything other than medication?
Please also bring any lab work, scans, or blood work that has been done over the past 6 months. When we have the necessary information it means that we don’t have to run it again. While it may seem difficult to get this just remember that it is your information and your doctor should be able to retrieve it for you rather easily. This info can also be faxed to our office, if that is more convenient.
How much time will I spend with my doctor?
Have you ever been to a medical appointment that has provided a few seconds with the doctor after over an hour of waiting? That will never happen at Great Lakes Health Institute. Our practitioners schedule more time with you than a typical visit to the doctor so they can listen to you thoroughly and truly understand your condition. An average New Patient visit takes approximately 60-90 minutes with 20-30 of those spent with the doctor. This degree of attentiveness is absolutely necessary to be able to dig deep and get to the root of the issue so that we can work with you in correcting those which underlying your condition.
Please understand that our practice is grounded in a holistic construct. We believe that the body’s systems need to exist in a state of balance with one another and with the surrounding natural world in order to achieve optimal wellness. We strive to help you achieve that harmony both within and outwardly. This way, we can assist you with true physical, emotional and spiritual healing that begins with going way beyond the standard superficial symptomatic level to which most are accustomed. We seek to treat you as a whole human being, not just a bunch of outward symptoms, sometimes this might leave you feeling as if your core complaints are not addressed specifically when in fact they are being dealt with on a much deeper level. We do listen and we do care. Our recommendations are to complement your own learning/journey at attaining optimal health. We will provide you with a plethora of information at your new patient consultation and follow-ups. It is your responsibility to review and study these materials and follow-up with questions, concerns and/or comments. We have a number of helping professionals at your disposal in these regards. Do give us a call!
What payment options are available?
Great Lakes Health Institute is a fee for service practice.
Once you are an established patient, fees are due at the time of service. Prior to being an established patient, we require prepayment for a New Patient consultation. Your prepayment is due at the scheduling of your New Patient appointment. We accept cash, check and credit. Additionally, for your convenience, we have a payment option available through CareCredit.
Insurance coverage varies, but due to the nature of preventive, integrative holistic medicine, many insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, will not reimburse for any part of these services. However, we will provide you with a detailed receipt at your request should you want to seek reimbursement from your insurance provider.
While our practice does not take insurance, ancillary services to our care may be covered by insurance. For example, bloodwork/labs and prescriptions for bioidentical hormones are usually covered.
We realize that times are tough and cash practices might seem unavailable to many. However, we have gone through great lengths to provide reasonably priced services for your utilization.
We work very hard at meeting you where you need to be met in terms of logistic and financial commitments with your long-term wellness plan. Having said that, do not be off put by the fact that you will be expected to pay for goods and services procured at our facility.
Any other questions?
Finally remember to write down any questions that you may have prior to meeting with the doctors at the Great Lakes Health Institute. Asking questions is the best way to stay informed. Please feel free to ask us anything and everything.
