Could a Holistic Healthcare Plan Be the Answer to America’s Problems?

by Michael E. Greer, MD

This seminar, which was presented at the 2014 Integrative Healthcare Symposium, offered attendees the opportunity to gain insight into Female Hormone Management from a different perspective. Hormones and diseases respond to a multifactorial input system that includes genetics, nutrition, cortisol regulation and detoxification, all of which will determine the final formulation of each specific hormone.

During his presentation, Dr. Michael Greer explained the interactions of the Female Endocrine System and  show how they must delicately respond to all input, both positive and negative that will  "DETERMINE THE DANCE OF THE HORMONES"  resulting  in either a positive or negative experience. Learn more >>
 

by Nick Meyer, AltHealthWorks.com

While modern medicine is capable of performing miracles when it comes to saving people in emergencies, it’s hard to say objectively that it has its patients’ best interests at heart when it comes to preventing disease and helping them find a long-lasting state of well being. 

Health insurance, with its exorbitant premiums and focus on “What would happen if…” or symptom and disease management rather than actual health, is one of the many weak points of the current system. 

But what if there was a healthcare plan that actually helped patients to achieve wellness in a holistic way through organic, healthy food, wellness practices like yoga and massage, and much more?

That’s what ‘Integrity: The Holistic Community Health Plan’ aims to provide. Started in 2009 by Theresa Callard-Moore, the company is currently working to register and connect holistic healthcare practices across the country while working to promote their practices. 

Recently, the company’s founder Theresa Callard-Moore joined AltHealthWORKS for an interview on her vision for the company, holistic health care in general and what the plan entails at www.MyHolisticApproach.com. For the full interview go to: http://althealthworks.com/1900/could-a-holistic-health-insurance-plan-be-the-answer-to-americas-problems-theresa-callard-moore-of-integrity-the-holistic-community-health-plan-explains/  

AHW: Talk about how your holistic health plan would differ from “mainstream health insurance.” Also, what would the relationship be between these two different approaches? 

TCM: We believe that it is your money, your health, and your choice how you do health and wellness.  We also want to create a system where a thermography (breast) exam will be recognized along with a mammogram. Well, Integrity’s membership card could be offered as a rider to complement the traditional insurance coverage, and bridge the wellness and prevention gap. It is designed to make it a little easier for those people who want to take charge of their health and help them save money while doing it! 

Integrity is currently in Phase I, which is a national online holistic directory. We have made it very affordable for all levels of Holistic Providers to sign up on the our website, www.MyHolisticApproach.com. The cost is only $199 a year.  It is free for customers to find providers in their area and leave star ratings and testimonials about the providers. But we have NEVER wanted to be just a directory. Our goal is to raise some capital to build Phase II, which is the membership discount directory.

AHW: What are some of the examples of holistic health service providers and disciplines that have signed up with you? And can you give us a basic example of what people would get out of a membership each month? 

TCM: We currently have 30 different types of Holistic Providers or services on the directory, from Floatation Therapy to Integrative Medicine.  There is no limit to the types of holistic services that can be placed on the directory. The Holistic Providers will decide what types of cash discounts they will offer to the customer. For example, I am a Holistic Psychotherapist and I would normally charge $70 a session. If you were an Integrity member, I would charge you $50. Thus, you would save your $20 membership back in one visit. 

AHW: Why do you think that there is currently no major company that provides holistic health insurance or healthcare services yet, and what are the current challenges to making this venture take off? 

TCM: I
am not a researcher, however, I know there are many Holistic Organizations and Educational Institutions that have proven that holistic methods are cost effective and beneficial. So, why are we still explaining to our doctor the benefits of seeing the Chiropractor? The amount of money that Big Pharma has available for research can not compare to the little money that is set for Integrative Medicine. Integrity wants to change that. The membership money that we collect from the members is going to go towards three things: community health education and mass media promotion to educate the public that holistic health methods are available and effective; to pay for the research needed; and to lobby and educate the medical and government agencies about the Integrative Movement. I am reaching out to those Holistic Organizations to join with me in making that happen. If we join together, we can make all of the difference. 

AHW: You’re located in Michigan right now. Do you have roots in other states yet? 

TCM: Many of our providers are located in Michigan where we have launched.  We had two in Florida sign up last year.  However, we have designed it for any provider in the United States to sign up today. It is designed to interact with the providers’ current patients and build his or her word of mouth and networking referrals. We are looking to hire Integrators in other states to help start the community health plan grass movement. Integrators would be natural networkers that currently use holistic providers. They would earn commission on the listings and organize the community events. We will eventually be hiring Health Coaches in every state also. 

AHW: What is the next step you need to take to get to the next level? 

TCM: Our goal is to raise awareness about what Integrity is all about and how it will benefit Providers, Consumers and Holistic Organizations. Everyone who participates will make money or save money. We need to raise $50,000 to finish building Phase II. It will take about 6 months to complete once we obtain the funds. Then we will start marketing and hiring staff. As I said, advertising is very expensive. We are planning to use things like Facebook and newsletters to keep the grass roots movement going. This article is a big step in that direction. Thank you, Nick!

AHW: How can people help, and is the company developed enough for them to start signing up as members just yet? If so, in what areas? Right now members can look to the website to find holistic providers. 

TCM: The membership discount will not be available until we build Phase II. We are currently asking for the community to help us by:

1. Going to and sharing our website www.myholisticapproach.com 
2. Liking us and sharing our content on our Facebook page (we are currently doing a likes campaign and giving away an Apple TV and an iPad Mini).
3. Signing up for our newsletter on our website 
4. If you’re a provider, sign up to get a listing and start networking in your area
5. If you’re a natural networker, go to the employment opportunities and become an Integrator
6. Help us by supporting our crowd funding campaign starting in April. We are asking for community contributions to help us raise $50,000 to finish building the membership directory part of the website (and to pay for the lawyers!)

AHW: Thank you for your time.

TCM: Thanks again for having me.