Money to burn on health care

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:14 am

I'm in an enviable situation. I'm on my husband's health plan, so my job puts the money they would have spent on my insurance coverage into a flexible spending account that can only be used on health-related expenses. This paid for my complete Enterolab testing. I now have several hundred dollars to spend before March, and am trying to figure out the best use. Here are some options I have considered:

1. Meet with a nutritionist specializing in GF diet (going next week)
2. Consult with a naturopathic physician or holistic medical practice that may not take my insurance.
3. Have my asymptomatic kids or husband tested by Enterolab (I'm leaning towards ordering only the gene test for my kids - if either kid ends up with 2 genes, then hubby would get tested too)
4. Try accupuncture or chinese medicine? (although my symptoms are very mild now)
5. Order some other sort of testing (what would be useful? Hair strand testing for toxic metals? Saliva testing? Other gene tests? Are these just a waste of $?)

What would you do?

P.S. A little potty humor...We're sitting at the dinner table and my 3 yr old is practicing rhyming words. She exclaims, "Deuce" (one of many words for poop in our household) and "Loose." "Loose Deuce! They rhyme!" I said Loose Deuce should be my middle name. Hubby said I should order it for my license plate -- "Loose2" or "lse dce".

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 2:55 pm

Hi Z,

I vote for #3.

Love,

Polly

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:42 pm

Zizzle

the hair strand testing gives information on what happened in the past, and quite often the nutrients or treatments are not MC friendly.
i would go towards something that will give information/help for the future, whether for yourself or your family.

So I would vote #3 and if you are struggling with diet/nutrition/weight control then i would vote for #1

Most naturopaths/holistic practioners struggle a little bit with MC (like doctors) as their stock standard IBD treatment regime does not work with so well with MC.

Hope this helps...

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:43 pm

Zizzle,

You may want to ask the nutritionist if he/she does MRT testing. It must be done through a provider, usually a dietician. I recommend the test for those who have had the Enterolab testing and are still having problems after making the recommended dietary changes. The MRT test checks for a reaction level for 150 different foods/chemicals. It was helpful to me in determining some, but not all, of my additional intolerances.

The test categorizes the 150 foods/chemicals tested as non-reactive, moderately reactive and reactive. I found that the test was valid for the moderately reactive and reactive foods and I have completely eliminated them from my diet. If you look at the results as a list of foods to avoid, similar to Enterolab recommendations, then it is very helpful. The foods listed as non-reactive should be tested carefully and one should not assume that they are OK.

If you have just a few intolerances and are healing nicely, then the MRT test probably wouldn't help you that much. If you are still struggling, have done Enterolab testing and don't know what to try next, the MRT testing would likely be helpful. Mary Beth would be able to elaborate on it more.

Gloria

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 6:19 am

I second what Gloria said and also vote for #3. Enterolab and MRT are the 2 best options for reliable tests.

Mary Beth

Stanz · Post by **Stanz** » Sat Oct 30, 2010 8:02 pm

I vote for 3 also.

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 5:10 am

Go for #3.

Love, Maggie

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 7:42 pm

Well, I'm no longer in an enviable situation. I had a GREAT visit with a dietician today who recommended I see an EXPENSIVE local doctor (think Dr. House) who doesn't quit until he's figured out your "puzzle." I was preparing to make an appointment until I opened the mail and saw my husband's explanation of benefits for a dental crown repair. Well, our crappy dental insurance (Guardian) doesn't cover non-metal crowns, and we go to an out-of-network dentist, and 50% was applied to our deductible (each family member has their own deductible

), so we're now $1500 in the hole and my flex-spending "slush fund" is gone. I should have known it was too good to be true.

Stanz · Post by **Stanz** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 7:47 pm

Isn't insurance great? Sorry, Zizzle.

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Nov 01, 2010 9:41 pm

That was a short-lived "wish list." So sorry things did a complete turnaround.

Gloria

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 5:00 am

So much for the wonderful insurance industry. Another wish list blown to hades. So sorry.

Love, Maggie

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 4:29 pm

That's too bad Zizzle. It never ceases to amaze me the number of 'conditions' they have on the coverage.

On the bright side at least you had the $$ available to cover the extra dental expense.

Other than that, option 3 would have been my vote.

--Joe

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 7:16 pm

Ooh, sorry that the insurance didn't work out for you to go see the expensive specialist.