Since you seem like a very well informed person on the health venue. I'll assume you have checked the functional medicine doctor's list and would have to travel 90 miles like me. You are probably looking for someone close to home. Although I may try a co-op with my local doctor and one of the functional docs. I actually found someone who is a nurse practitioner and works under a doctor. But she is open to suggestions and I saw her at the health food store. How cool is that, I even got free advise that day.

Anyway, print your list of doctors on your plan that are close to you and start dialing. I asked to speak to the nurse and asked a variety of questions. If they didn't know or were not helpful, I moved on. Try to focus on the DO's first, since many of them have a little more holistic approach to medicine. I did find a good one, but I wanted to focus on bio-identical hormones and he was not informed. If you can go out of network you maybe able to use one of the functional physicians, but pay a larger fee. I think the real savings, from my medical care last year, is in the testing discounts you receive through your insurance company. Certainly if your office co-pay is 30 instead of 160 that is a good savings. However, one group of blood work would have cost over 500 and after the reduction was less that 30. BIG SAVINGS$$$ My insurance company said I can go out of network and they will cover the cost of "medically necessary test", and most doctors know how to play that game.

One really good question to ask is how long is your first appointment. If they do not give you at least 30-40 minutes, say no thank you. I also let the schedulers know when I schedule return visits if I think I need extra time. This works surprisingly well. Another time trick, they will give you more if you have a notebook with a list of questions. You can almost feel them groan, but they will sit still (kind of) until you are finished. If you just can not complete your consultation in the allotted time, ask for another consultation visit you should be able to get one. One other question for your insurance company is how many "second opinions" are you allowed. I consulted with at least 7 doctors last year, of course some were specialist for my gallbladder, but I took advantage of my deductable being met. I also saw two different chiropractors, so 9. 

One last tip, get copies of everything especially the lab work. I even have a copy of the gallbladder before and after, yuck! I joke that it looks like an x-rated picture that I wouldn't let my Mom see. However, the picture does give a clear external look at my liver which was helpful since I have a non-alcoholic fatty liver. The copies of blood work has been helpful when having other consultations and to avoiding multiples of the same test, which the insurance will not cover. One of my mottos recently is "Know thy self". Learn the lingo and understand your lab results. You will get better care. It is surprising how often I have heard, I don't know, because they know if they don't I will find out. That was a lot but I realize this is often the most frustrating part. I am hoping that the USA's health and wellness care will change with the new president. It is a jumbled mess so lets keep our fingers crossed.

One day at a time to a healthier and happier life.