FAQ | beehealthy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a micropractice?

A micropractice is a medical practice that generally runs with few (or no) staff and utilizes technology to keep overhead low which allows the physician to see fewer patients and spend more time with each one. I want to get to know you and your family and spend time developing relationships instead of on the "treadmill" of the production-based model of health care.

Why insurance free?

Aren't you tired of the insurance company making your health decisions for you? I know I am tired of the insurance companies coming between my patients and I. So I have decided to cut out the middle man so that you and I can get down to the root cause of your health concerns without interference. In today's insurance landscape, high deductibles are not met every year, so if you have to pay for your office visits out of pocket, wouldn't you rather have more control over that? You can still use your insurance for labwork, any x-rays or radiological tests needed, and any medications that might be prescription. You can also use your insurance for the specialists we may refer to for further evaluation of your health. But for your office visits with me, you get to see where your money goes, and get more "bang for your buck" with my one-on-one care.

Medicare patients - I am an opted-out provider, which means you can still pay cash to see me, but you cannot submit your office visits to Medicare for reimbursement.

Medicaid patients - I am very sorry, but the State of Colorado does not allow me to see you, even if you want to pay cash to see me and continue your care with me. I can still see Medicare patients for cash payment as long as Colorado Medicaid is NOT your secondary insurance. If this upsets you like it upsets me, I urge you to call your State of Colorado Representatives and ask that they change this law.

What is osteopathic medicine?

Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine. Emphasizing a whole-person approach to treatment and care, DOs are trained to listen and partner with their patients to help them get healthy and stay well.
DOs receive special training in the musculoskeletal system, your body's interconnected system of nerves, fascia, muscles and bones. By combining this knowledge with the latest advances in medical technology, they offer patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.
Osteopathic physicians focus on prevention, tuning into how a patient's lifestyle and environment can impact their wellbeing. DOs strive to help you be truly healthy in mind, body and spirit -- not just free of symptoms.

Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine/Treatment (OMM/OMT) is very helpful for all patients including newborns, children, adults and the elderly. Not only does OMT help with pain, OMT also helps in acute and chronic illness recovery, stress reduction, structural imbalances and immune support.

What is functional medicine?

The Functional Medicine approach includes:

Patient-centric care: The focus of functional medicine is on patient-centric care. Here we promote health as a positive vitality, beyond just the absence of disease.
Integrative, science-based healthcare approach: Functional Medicine practitioners search “upstream” for causes that could lead to illness. The unique genetic makeup of each patient is considered, along with both internal (mind, body and spirit) and external factors (physical and social environment) that could affect total functioning.
Integrating best medical practices: Functional medicine integrates traditional Western medical practices with what is commonly considered “alternative” or “integrative” medicine. This creates a focus on prevention through means of better nutrition, diet and exercise
Use of the latest lab testing and diagnostic techniques
Prescribed combination of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, etc.

If you struggle with a complex or chronic illness or simply want a personalized approach to optimal health, functional medicine offers you a powerful option. Dr. Busby will partner with you to explore the root causes of your illness and create a personalized plan to treat your mind, body and spirit.

What is nutrigenomics?

As defined by Environmental Health Perspectives via PubMed "Nutrigenomics [is] the integration of genomic science with nutrition and, when possible, other lifestyle variables such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Although genes are critical for determining function, nutrition modifies the extent to which different genes are expressed and thereby modulates whether individuals attain the potential established by their genetic background.

Nutrigenomics therefore initially referred to the study of the effects of nutrients on the expression of an individual’s genetic makeup. More recently, this definition has been broadened to encompass nutritional factors that protect the genome from damage. Ultimately, nutrigenomics is concerned with the impact of dietary components on the genome, the proteome (the sum total of all proteins), and the metabolome (the sum of all metabolites). As in pharmacogenomics, where a drug will have diverse impacts on different segments of the population, researchers recognize that only a portion of the population will respond positively to specific nutritional interventions, while others will be unresponsive, and still other could even be adversely affected." Reproduced with permission from Environmental Health Perspectives.

In other words, it is looking at your individual genes and then assessing how your nutrition, lifestyle, and sleep effects the expression of your genes. Evaluation of these things can lead to fully personalized health treatments designed just for you.

Can you still be my Primary Care Provider (PCP)?

Although I am board-certified in family medicine, I am specializing in osteopathic manipulation and functional medicine and my practice structure does not allow me to be available at the level necessary for a PCP. Many patients do not understand the administrative role being a "PCP" is. My goal is to focus my time and energy on helping you, not doing administrative work for the insurance companies.

I will require that you maintain your primary care physician (PCP) for routine screening exams such as pap smears, colonoscopies, prostate exams, etc. and for urgent situations requiring immediate care or hospitalization. I am happy to work collaboratively with your PCP and/or specialists .