The doctors we talk with want to operate a health-based practice. They entered medicine and dentistry to help people. But much to the frustration of these doctors, insurance providers and non-medical third parties dictate today’s contemporary practices. The standard of care recognized by third-party payers provides for only a minimum level of service. Payment for practices that exceed the standard are most often refused.
You’re probably aware of news stories about insurance companies offering to reward doctors if they deny certain procedures to patients. Or worse yet, Medicare can prosecute doctors for fraud if they order tests "too frequently" or they order tests considered unnecessary.
Add to this that insurance companies can penalize physicians when patients take "too much" time for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment, or visit the doctor "too many" times. When was the last time that an insurance-based healthcare professional was able to take more than a few minutes to evaluate your health?
The end result is that insurance companies and government regulations tie doctors’ hands. Doctors are barred from providing you with the health care that you really want and need. This trend means that it’s more difficult than ever to get comprehensive health care. And it’s time for a change.
At the Institute for Health Realities, the level of health we provide is above that of most insurance standards. Clients receive an average of ninety minutes of focused attention during the evaluation, review and consultation process, which helps to explain why we don't accept insurance. Our clients tell us, however, that for the first time in their lives they are getting the attention to their issues and the answers they need. This kind of attention is not possible under an insurance system.