Why Clarity About Cost, Insurance, and Expectations Matters in Healthcare
Healthcare conversations often avoid one important topic: expectations.
Expectations around cost.
Expectations around insurance.
Expectations around what “good care” actually looks like.
I want to talk about this openly—not to defend myself or justify my work—but because clarity creates better care.
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The Broken Expectation Many of Us Were Taught
Many people were raised to believe that healthcare—especially when described as holistic, compassionate, or preventive—should be either free or very low cost.
At the same time, we live in a culture where it is completely normal to spend money on:
Daily coffee
Dining out
Convenience foods
Lifestyle choices that quietly undermine long-term health
When health finally demands attention, the expectation often becomes:
deep, personalized, high-quality medical care… at the lowest possible cost.
That disconnect is not sustainable.
More importantly, it does not lead to good outcomes.
What Root-Cause, Integrative Care Actually Requires
As a naturopathic and integrative doctor, I do not practice quick-visit, symptom-only medicine.
I practice root-cause care.
That means:
Time to listen deeply
Time to review your history and lab work
Time to think clinically
Time to educate you so you understand your body
Time to create a plan that fits your real life
Time to follow up, adjust, and support implementation
This level of care requires effort from me—and active participation from you.
Healthcare works best as a partnership.
Compassion Does Not Mean Self-Sacrifice
One assumption I hear often is:
“If care is compassionate, it should be cheap or free.”
I don’t agree with that.
Compassion does not mean self-sacrifice.
Compassion means showing up fully, consistently, and with integrity.
To do that, I must structure my practice in a way that allows:
Clear thinking
Adequate time
Clinical depth
Sustainable energy
That is how I protect the quality of care I provide.
Why Insurance Doesn’t Cover Everything
Insurance plays an important role in healthcare.
But it does not cover everything—especially not the most important parts of integrative, preventive care.
Insurance typically reimburses for:
Brief visits
Symptom-focused encounters
Standardized protocols
It does not reimburse for:
Clinical thinking outside the visit
Reviewing labs and records in depth
Treatment planning
Care coordination
Follow-up communication
These are often referred to as “non-billable services.”
They are not extra.
They are the care.
I structure my practice this way so I can practice medicine with depth—not shortcuts.
“My Insurance Covers Everything”—Does It?
Many people have experienced the insurance-based model:
10–15 minute visits
Limited questions
A prescription and out the door
If that model meets your needs, insurance-based care may be exactly right for you.
But insurance does not cover comprehensive, preventive, root-cause medicine.
I choose not to let insurance dictate the quality or depth of how I care for my patients.
That choice is intentional—and it’s what allows better outcomes.
Why My Practice May Cost More Than Others
There are many ways to access healthcare.
My practice is designed for people who want:
Personalized care
Education and understanding
Long-term prevention
Accountability and follow-through
If you are looking for the lowest-cost option or a quick fix, this may not be the right fit—and that is okay.
Different models serve different needs.
Health Is a Partnership
The people who do best in my practice understand that health is not passive.
It requires:
Time
Effort
Accountability
Financial investment
When those align, the results can be powerful:
Improved energy
Clearer thinking
Symptom relief
Confidence in the future of your health
When they don’t, even the best plan won’t work.
Discomfort Isn’t the Enemy
Some people say, “This feels unfair.”
I understand that investing in health can feel uncomfortable—especially in today’s world.
But discomfort doesn’t mean something is wrong.
Often, it means something matters.
I don’t believe in lowering standards to make care feel easier.
I believe in calling people up to take their health seriously—because their future depends on it.
Who This Practice Is For
My practice is for people who are ready to:
Actively participate in their health
Understand their bodies
Prevent disease rather than react to it
Value depth, clarity, and long-term thinking
If that’s you, I would be honored to work with you.
A Final Thought on Compassion
I believe deeply in compassion.
And I believe the highest form of compassion is empowering people to value their health enough to engage fully in it.
This conversation isn’t about judgment.
It’s about transparency.
Because better expectations create better care.
