Mark J. Eisen, MD Holistic Family Practice
900 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Ste A
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Tel. 919-967-9452

I have had a holistic medical practice in the Triangle area for over 20 years which has the distinction of being the longest standing holistic practice in North Carolina. In fact, it was the first of its kind. We care for patients of all ages, from infants to seniors including Medicare patients. Because I recognize the need to examine the interplay between all levels of the human being, working with medical insurers has been particularly challenging – the practice of anthroposophical/holistic medicine doesn’t fall neatly into billing codes. In an attempt to better serve you and to improve our billing process, we contracted with a billing company several years ago that promised to handle insurance claims efficiently. Unfortunately the service was terrible and many patients were poorly served by them. I am very sorry about this. I would like to hear from any of my patients who are still dissatisfied with their billing so that at least we can have a heart-to-heart talk about it.

There is nothing simple about health insurance. Doctors and patients must jump through endless hoops; there is pressure to see more and more patients per day, quality of care is compromised. Billing issues consume increasing office time and we lose time doing what we love to do - taking care of patients. The results are unhappy patients, impersonal care and escalating insurance and out of pocket expenses. Fewer people are properly cared for.For more than fifteen years, I have been searching for a way to reduce costs for patients while allowing me to render the high quality comprehensive care that each patient deserves. I continue to offer a Fee-for-Service option that includes discounted patient visit fees and labs.

Reduced Fee-for-Service Option: Patients will be charged office visit fees that are discounted about 40% off the current office visit fees and will also receive discounts for lab tests. They will file their own insurance claims.

Medicare patients: will continue as they have in the past, with no change in charges or insurance filings at the current time.

Our Relationship to Insurance Companies
and Filing Claims
As of January 1, 2009 our practice will no longer file insurance claims for non-Medicare patients.
We will provide patients with a bill which includes diagnostic codes and charges for their visit. This information can be submitted by patients to their health insurance provider on forms which can be gotten from their insurer. We will continue to file for our Medicare patients only as this is a legal requirement.

Many of my patients have said that my medical practice is unique in that it enables them to receive medical care that addresses the real issues underlying their illnesses and aids in restoring their well-being.

Patients will receive the best holistic medical care. I like to spend time with my patients, to educate them about their illness and to explore soul and spiritual issues as they relate to the symptoms that accompany their illness. In my opinion, it is only through such exploration that we can begin to approach the real causes of our medical and psychological difficulties. Read what my patients have to say on our Testimonials page!

Patients will be given remedies and other natural products or therapies that will address the fundamental imbalance of acute or constitutional problems and will gently and effectively restore wellness. Remedies are made from plant, animal and mineral substances which don’t have side effects associated with traditional pharmaceuticals.

Patients will receive cost-effective interventions that have, in my experience prevented many unnecessary emergency room visits and tests, unnecessary specialist visits and even unnecessary hospital stays.

Patients will reduce their costs as natural, homeopathic and anthroposophic remedies are generally much less expensive than conventional pharmaceuticals. In situations that call for conventional therapy, I confer with my patients and we decide together on a plan of therapy. If they need a prescription, I can generally provide it. Of course, conventional medications are used when needed.

Patients will be able to enjoy a true “medical home” as most of their needs will be met by the remedies and other therapies such as massage, meditation, movement therapies, and biographical counseling. Sometimes referrals are needed for testing, specialists or hospitalization.  With my patient we choose a prudent path and arrange for the care they need.

We expect our low costs will prompt patients to feel more comfortable about coming in early for problems
they might have ignored because of cost.
Doing so might avoid a more serious problem from arising. 

Affordable, Quality Health Care - A Real Option!
These options will make quality health care more affordable to all our patients.

The Reduced Fee-for-Service Option

is best for those who have good-to-excellent insurance coverage who choose to get medical care from a practitioner who attends to all types of illness. Illness may be mostly bodily, may have strong soul influence and also a spiritual dimension. We care for all these areas!

 
We are excited about creating this new model of affordable holistic family health care. Working together as a community, supporting each other and assuring that viable holistic health care options are available is something that many of us value and wish to see sustained. We hope you agree!

Many blessings and good health!

Mark J. Eisen, MD