FAQ
Concord Longevity Medicine is considered a direct pay medical practice. This allows for a more personalized approach with each patient resulting in longer visits, increased access to your physician, and a clear distinction of fees and services provided.
Due to the increasing supervision from third party payers and government regulations on healthcare, the doctor-patient relationship has become virtually unrecognizable and unvalued. In a direct pay model, patients receive the best medical care with longer and more frequent visits, personalized treatment plans, and the lowest cost for their care.
All insurance companies vary on what they will or will not reimburse. Membership medicine is NOT covered by insurance companies. CLM does not work with third party payers, and does not submit claims on your behalf. While we do not submit claims to your insurer, we will be happy to provide detailed paperwork if you want to file with your insurance company under an “out-of-network” provider.
CLM is happy to see Medicare insured patients, howeverMedicare will not pay or reimburse for this type of care. In order to offer the most cost effective treatment to all patients, Dr. Blankenship has “opted out” of Medicare. This allows Medicare patients to receive individualized care without the restrictions and regulations that Medicare enforces on physicians and their patients.
CLM’s goal is to use the most natural means possible to improve your health. That being said, every patient is different and from time to time, medications may be used as an aid (temporarily) while lifestyle changes are being made. Ultimately, our goal is to get you off of medications and allow your body to heal itself through good nutrition and healthy lifestyle living.
Yes, all patients are encouraged to have a primary care physician. The medical management that CLM offers is considered an adjunct to your primary care and does not include acute care for issues such as colds, injuries, infections, etc. Dr. Blankenship will work in consultation with your primary physician and stay in regular communication with him/her to ensure a smooth journey to better health.
There are very few local weight loss programs that are supervised and operated by an internal medicine physician and registered nurse. Often times, weight loss clinics focus solely on weight loss and nothing else. In essence, weight loss is only one of the benefits that CLM looks to achieve in patients. By treating the entire person, including chronic diseases and lifestyle management, patients gain a myriad of benefits that will increase their longevity and improve their health for life. For more details of those benefits, visit the testimonials page to see what patients are saying.
No! Nutrition and lifestyle medicine are tools that can improve everyone’s health, no matter the situation. In fact, a walk into Sarah’s kitchen or Dr. Blankenship’s office will find both of them living by this lifestyle every day. The latest research and science is confirming that food is medicine. Mild cognitive impairment, poor athletic performance, difficulty with attention span, low energy levels, and chronic joint pain are just a few of the ailments that can improve when you become a patient at CLM.