Q: What is integrative medicine?
A: Integrative medicine is the specialty in medicine that combines conventional (allopathic) along with traditional (Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, etc) and complimentary and alternative medicine. It starts with dietary and lifestyle changes along with natural therapies using the least invasive most cost effect approach. The focus is to find the underlying triggering mechanisms of imbalance, dysfunction or disease and resolve the conditions versus just manage the symptoms. Integrative Medicine also uses an Evidence Based Medicine approach at its core which combines the patient values and desires along with the scientific data and clinician expertise.
Q: What should I look for in an integrative medicine provider?
A: First you should make sure that they are formally trained in Integrative Medicine by checking if they have completed a Fellowship training program in Integrative Medicine. Also one should see if they are board certified in Holistic Integrative Medicine as well. If not, then the provider is using the term to describe their approach of practice but do not have the appropriate training, education and knowledge to be an expert in the field. Furthermore, additional training in Functional Medicine, Plant Based Nutrition, Acupuncture, Physiological Regulating Medicine, Ayurveda, Yoga etc would be added benefits to how you receive the most effective and natural approach. See Dr. Pai to learn more about his specialized training.
Q: Why don’t you accept insurance?
A: Insurance companies dictate the amount of time (usually 7-15 minutes) per patient. They also dictate the course of treatment based on algorithms and accounting measures that save them money, but not always in your best interest of improving your health. They also limit which tests or treatments should be offered based on their financial relationship with those companies that provide those products and services. At Sanjevani we believe that the doctor-patient relationship and decisions should be made between each other based on the scientific evidence and patient desire along with the clinician’s experience rather than from a bureaucrat from the insurance company that has no knowledge of how to achieve your best healthcare delivery. With this personalized approach, initial consultations for routine Integrative evaluation is 2 hours and for cancer support 3 hours. Follow up appointments are usually 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on the complexity of the visit. Sanjevani is a fee for service healthcare facility so payment is due at time of visit. However, we can provide you with a superbill to submit to insurance to see if you quality for out of network reimbursement.
Q: How Are Ayurvedic consultations different at Sanjevani?
A: First education and training. Maureen Sutton LMT RYU AyuD has completed the most formal training in Ayurvedic Medicine offered in the U.S. through Ayurved Sadhana to obtain her advanced certification degree. Most practitioners who use Ayurveda have just taken weekend courses or studied introductory approaches. She also has extensive trainings from Dr. Frawley from the Vedic Institute in Santa Fe as well as intensive training at renowned Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda in Udupi, India. Furthermore, Maureen was the Spa Director and Lead Therapist at The Chopra Center for 6 years with Dr. Deepak Chopra. Under her guidance she helped the center rank at the top of Conde Nast Top Medical Spas in the U.S. for many years. The detoxification treatments called Panchakarma at Sanjevani is unique and highly specialized. Each person’s herbal medicines, oils and treatments are customized and prepared specifically for the patient’s condition of body and mind. Dosha specific plant based meals as well as yoga, meditation and education is provided during the program. Click here to read more about Maureen and to learn how you can utilize the benefits of Ayurvedic Medicine.
Q: Do you charge extra for functional medicine testing?
A: No. Unlike most holistic, integrative and functional medicine practices, at Sanjevani we do not charge any more than the test price. We also will provide guidance on how you can see what is covered by your insurance company and what is not. For those tests or portions of testing that is not covered, the price in cash will be offered and you pay the laboratories directly since we are not involved with a surcharge fee for providing the tests. This makes the tests more affordable so you can use the saving for other services and products that maybe recommended for your health care plan.