4 Questions to Ask Your Functional Medicine Doctor

Visiting a functional medicine doctor for all of your healthcare needs comes with many different benefits, the first being that functional doctors will focus on patient-centered care and treatment to treat conditions at the cause while also ameliorating symptoms. The physician will take all components of the patient’s health into account, including their lifestyle, diet, work life, activity levels, relevant life stressors, and even their hobbies as all of these components of life can play a role both in health and the best course of treatment for each patient. The medical history and genetics of the patient will also be considered as influential factors when functional medicine doctors are providing care. Functional medical doctors will also take each patient’s environment into account, with many environmental factors such as potential allergens or exposure to toxins playing a significant role in health.

Functional medicine also provides each patient with a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, with the physicians having a range of other types of healthcare providers to whom they can refer patients for more comprehensive treatment to make the entire treatment much more holistic. Other specialists that are commonly recommended to provide comprehensive care for various health conditions include other specialists (such as with chronic conditions), psychologists, physical therapists, dieticians, and much more. Functional medicine physicians are also typically best suited for providing care for chronic conditions as they will offer life-long treatment plans that can include care from specialists but will act as coordinators when multiple specialists or healthcare providers are involved in the treatment plan.

Functional medicine has been shown to provide some of the best results for patients and is vital in helping the average patient maintain good health long-term. Since it focuses on the causes of the health conditions rather than only looking to treat the symptoms using evidence-based treatments. By considering the lifestyle factors of the patients, such as their sleeping habits, exercise levels, stress levels, nutrition, relationships, and genetics, functional medicine is one of the best options when treating chronic conditions and maintaining general health in patients throughout their lifetime. All of these factors contribute to long-term health and can influence how a patient experiences chronic conditions or how difficult these conditions are to manage. As functional medicine continues to become a more commonly used approach to treatment, studies, and results are proving to decrease the threat of chronic conditions within our population, providing patients with better outcomes and saving on medical costs for both patients and the healthcare system.

The amount of coverage you can receive for functional medical care will vary quite a bit depending on your insurance provider and what your policy covers. While it is not very common to have entire treatments covered, it is possible to have certain components and services to your treatment plan covered, such as lab tests, medication, and procedures, but again this is entirely dependent on your insurance. However, it is common for clinics and offices that provide functional medical care to not directly accept insurance coverage, making the only way to receive reimbursement for the provided medical services through filing claims to your insurance provider directly. It is always encouraged that patients reach out to their insurance provider to determine what their policy can cover and to what degree their policy extends.

Patients who are considering exploring functional medicine for their healthcare needs will find the team at COEM to be incredibly experienced and knowledgeable, providing high-quality care to treat a wide range of health conditions. Our physicians and fantastic staff members ensure that each patient receives the care that they deserve and that is personalized to best suit the needs and lifestyle of the patient. Whether you are looking to improve your overall health, manage chronic conditions, or just ensure that your health and lifestyle are in good standing for a long and comfortable life, COEM is a fantastic option to provide you with lifelong, comprehensive medical care. Our team is ready and eager to assist. Contact us today or conveniently book an appointment online to discuss your health concerns and learn more about how we can help. Patients routinely fly in to be evaluated by COEM, as we serve patients internationally. Find out if you have been exposed, extensive lab testing is available. We serve patients from North Charleston SC, Ladson SC, Hanahan SC, Goose Creek SC, Sangaree SC, Wildwood SC, and BEYOND!