Is Seeing A Holistic Doctor Really Worth The Money? Real People Weigh In

When you visit one of these practitioners, they typically spend the initial 90-minute visit going over every detail of your health, and compared to the standard conventional doctor's visit, which often lasts less than 10 minutes, that nurturing of the doctor-patient relationship can be really refreshing. According to Robert Graham, M.D., Harvard-trained physician who is certified in both holistic and integrative medicine and co-founder of FRESH Med, "We focus on the mind, body, and spirit. We spend time and attention on the role of our pillars of health, food and nutrition, relaxation and meditation, exercise, sleep and overall happiness." Sounds pretty great, doesn't it?

If this is the first time you're hearing about this type of doctor, or are currently considering seeing one, you might wonder why everyone doesn't see a holistic doctor for all their health needs. Well, with a little more research, you'll soon discover that the price tag on one of these visits is a major deterrent. The majority of holistic doctors don't accept insurance, and just an initial visit can be upward of $500, meaning most people aren't able to pay for this type of care, even though they'd like to. "Studies have shown that roughly 55 percent of the U.S. population wants an integrative approach to their health care. Unfortunately, many insurance companies do not cover the expense. Thus, sadly, the cost falls on the patient," explained Dr. Graham.

It's understandable to wonder: Could it possibly be worth that much money? Is the care really THAT good? To answer these questions, we tracked down five people who have already dished out the cash to see a holistic doctor. Here's what they had to say about the money they spent, the care they received, and whether or not they'd do it all again.

"I've been experiencing digestive issues for over a year now, which have been consistently getting worse each month. I'm constantly bloated with bad brain fog and exhaustion. I have consistent headaches and figured I had/have a hormone imbalance. In the two weeks prior to deciding to see a naturopath, I was extremely faint, dizzy, and nauseous and had trouble breathing while lying down. I was also overly tired, falling asleep at 7 p.m. on the couch each day. Those two weeks were the final push for me to confirm something was not right, and I needed to see a specialist that wouldn't laugh when I said, 'I think I have a hormone imbalance' or 'I bet I have adrenal fatigue.' My holistic doctor is costly but so worth it. The first visit was $300 with each corresponding visit at $250 until you meet your deductible (if you're insured). Once you do, you'll pay a copay for each visit (in my case, $20). We also ran multiple tests (extensive blood work, cortisol saliva test, CDSA, and so on), some that were covered by my insurance and some that were out of network and therefore costly. Although this sounds pricey, you're getting your health back—and there's no price point on that."

"I sought out the help of a holistic doctor because I had gut issues and fatigue that weren't getting solved by my Western medicine doctor visits. What I love so much about my holistic doctor is that she looked at the root of my health issues and not just at the symptoms; she made me feel like she had all the time in the world to hear my story, and she ran tons of tests to find out what was going on on a deep level in my body. Blood work, stool tests, saliva tests, and careful listening revealed that I had subclinical hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, leaky gut, SIBO, and several vitamin deficiencies. Using modalities like supplements, acupuncture, infrared saunas, and IV infusions, she returned me to a place of balance and health." 

"I have quite literally spent thousands of dollars on holistic health care—acupuncture appointments, lab work, holistic M.D.s, naturopathic doctors, and supplements included. I've pretty much tried it all. There were definitely a few disappointment and not every dollars spent felt worth it all the time. There were definitely times that I wondered whether if I was wasting my money. But looking back, I don't think I'd do things differently. I've been able to get to the bottom of some of my most bothersome chronic health issues and turn them around. I realize I'm in a very privileged position to be able to afford to see these types of practitioners, and I'm so grateful for it. If I hadn't addressed some of my underlying issues and deficiencies with holistic doctors, I don't think I'd be half as healthy and happy as I am now."

If you've read these testimonials and you're thinking about taking the plunge into the world of holistic health, there's some good news. It's very possible that investing in your health now could save you money down the line. As Dr. Graham explained, "We know that 75 to 80 percent of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and certain types cancers are preventable and reversible by incorporating a lifestyle or holistic approach." In other words, by investing in supplements, lab testing, and a holistic doctor now, you could definitely avoid copays, prescriptions, and even surgeries down the line.