What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine plays a key role in the effort to solve the modern epidemic of chronic disease that is creating a health crisis both nationally and globally. Because chronic disease is a food & lifestyle-driven, environment & genetics-influenced phenomenon, we must have an approach to care that integrates all these elements in the context of the patient’s complete story.
Functional Medicine does just that and provides an original and creative approach to the collection and analysis of this broad array of information. Using a variety of tools, Functional Medicine practitioners contribute vital skills for treating and reversing complex, chronic disease.
Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a partnership. It is an evolution in the practice of medicine that better addresses the healthcare needs of the 21st century. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, Functional Medicine addresses the whole person, not just an isolated set of symptoms. Functional Medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease. In this way, Functional Medicine supports the unique expression of health and vitality for everyone.
What to Expect from Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine requires lifestyle commitments in order to be successful. It takes a holistic approach to healing by focusing on diet, exercise, supplements, and stress relief. Sometimes additional services are needed such as working with a nutritionist or health coach. While we do have people we work closely with in these areas, these are out of pocket expenses that should be taken into consideration before committing to a functional approach. These referrals are available upon request. Dr. Solano has specific areas of focus and because of this, you must be approved by the doctor to be accepted as a functional patient. If you are interested in this model, please contact our office for the Functional Medicine Assessment form to determine your eligibility.
Once approved, we will send you a 3-part medical intake form to be completed online through a HIPAA certified website. This form must be returned at least 2 business days Prior to your appointment to avoid cancellation. The initial membership fee is due at the time of the first visit, and it is the patient’s responsibility to cancel this membership if you no longer want to continue functional medicine.
Note: Supplement Orders must be placed at least 1 week before you run out. We place orders on a weekly basis and ship supplements out on Wednesdays. To avoid interruption of your program, please make sure you email or call in your orders a week in advance.
Specialties Dr. Solano treats with Functional Medicine Include:
Functional Medicine Membership Model:
It is important to understand that Functional Medicine requires an extensive amount of time and research. If you are looking for a quick fix to healing, Functional Medicine may not be the right model for you. Functional Medicine requires both a financial commitment and a commitment to lifestyle changes. It is very common for the doctor to work several hours outside normal business hours to research and study patient’s history. For this reason, we require a monthly membership fee to help compensate the doctor for this extra time. This fee still applies even if you do not see the doctor in person. Benefits include a discount on all supplements we sell in our office or through our online dispensary (Wellevate); and educational resources that are available upon request.
Functional Medicine Membership Costs:
The first 3 months of the membership are due at the time of your first visit and is non-refundable. Membership prices are $375 per quarter and paid in advance. We require a credit card on file or ACH information. After 3 months, if you no longer want to continue Functional Medicine, it is the patient’s responsibility to contact our office to cancel the membership. Invoices billed due to a lack of communication are still the responsibility of the patient.
We do not want to charge you for something you are not using. Please make sure you contact us to cancel any time during your membership.
Please Note: Just because you may not be communicating with the doctor on a weekly or monthly basis does not mean we are not working behind the scenes. Membership fees still apply even if you do not have an appointment with the doctor. However, we work extremely hard to follow up with patients in a timely manner.
Functional Medicine Labs we work with include: