Basics of Medical Care
20 Jan 2024
As we enter a new year with new insurance plans, it’s critical to make sure you understand your medical insurance benefits, costs, and programs available to you. Many insurances now offer DPP (Diabetes Prevention Program) Lifestyle Change Programs. Major healthcare organizations offer other classes and programs or even research programs, often at no or very reduced-cost. If a structure like this interests you I encourage you to seek it out.
You may also be needing to find a new PCP (Primary Care Provider). Depending on insurance this may be one of many professionals including the following traditional Allopathic (aka western) Medicine Primary Care designations:
MD = Medical Doctor who is usually a generalist in family medicine and/or pediatric medicine
DO = Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine who specialize in internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics
ARNP = Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner who have a masters degree and more training than a RN (Registered Nurse) but less than a DO or MD, and often work directly with a supervising MD..
PA = Physician's Assistant who have a masters degree and different training than an ARNP but less than a DO or MD, and often work directly with a supervising MD.
Naturopathic Medicine Primary Care is limited based on state of residence, for instance ND’s, Naturopathic Doctors, can be PCP under some insurances in Washington State.
Secondary Care is considered any specialist to whom you may be referred by your PCP including: Dietitians, Sports Medicine, Gastroenterology, Physical Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, etc.
When choosing a PCP it is critical that you feel heard. They are there to support you. While it’s important to remain respectful, you can kindly ask for a shift in their type of care, or change PCP’s to find someone who fits your unique needs better. PCP’s are generally people of enormous heart and caring, they became care providers because of their desire to help. But that doesn’t mean that everyone is a good fit - and that’s OK. There are lots of options, so please find someone who helps you feel heard, seen, valued, and can be a partner in your care. Because in the end, it’s your body, your health, and you are ultimately in charge. That is why I created the HSN Wellness Managers and upcoming course offerings, which puts you at the center of your care.
Heart Spirit Nutrition Path Tip: Hydration
There is no longer a one-size-fits all hydration standard. For most adults*, hydration comes from drinks (ex. soda, water, coffee, tea, etc), food (ex. watermelon, cucumber, apples) and is lost in metabolic activities like breathing, digestion, sweat, in feces and urine. Institute of Medicine set Adequate Intake levels as
Men 19 years old or older = 3.0 L (~13 cups**) from all beverages
Women 19 years old or older = 2.2 L (~9 cups**) from all beverages
As I identify as Non-Binary, I tend to encourage people to think more of it being Men and people who are taller and/or larger with higher metabolic rate of activity need ~13 cups/day, and Women and people who are smaller and/or leaner with lower metabolic rate of activity need ~9 cups/day. In the end, it’s the amount that you are comfortable with. Often the recommendation is to have pale yellow urine (unless taking a B vitamin or medication that alters urine color). In general it is recommended for adults to not have less than about 60 fluid ounces per day unless they are on fluid restriction from their doctor, need less fluid due to medications or medical issues, are much older, or are very short in stature. Additionally, people need more fluid if they are an athlete or exercise regularly, have higher fluid needs due to medications or medical conditions, or are very tall in stature.
*Hydration for infants and children is different than for adults, so please work with your child's pediatrician for specifics.
** 1 cup = 8 fl oz therefore 13 cups = 104 fl oz and 9 cups = 72 fl oz
