What is FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE?
Functional Medicine addresses health conditions and prevents disease by investigating the root cause of your health issues. Instead of stamping you with a diagnosis and only treating your symptoms, functional medicine finds out WHY you have the diagnosis. It involves a deep-dive assessment to look at ALL of your body systems, and evaluates how well your body is communicating (think: hormones, neurotransmitters, proteins, etc) to uncover root causes including nutrient deficiencies, chronic infections, and inflammation. Functional Medicine interventions help restore balance through lifestyle factors such as nutrition, healthy movement, stress management, optimal sleep, and quality relationships.
The Facility Denver Functional Medicine Team :
Kate Daugherty, MS, CNS + Dr. Mitchell Rasmussen, DC, CFMP
In the future, "FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE" will likely just be called medicine.
“Most doctors aren’t trained to think about the underlying causes of disease, such as toxins, allergens, microbes, nutrition, and stress. Conventional medicine is the medicine of what - what disease do you have, what drug should I give you. Functional medicine considers the diagnosis, but it also seeks to answer the question why.”
-Dr. Mark Hyman, Chairman of the Institute for Functional Medicine
30 Second Functional Medicine Synopsis
<< A functional medicine model of care looks at the whole person, mind and body, with communicating body organs/systems. We often eschew diagnoses. Truly, the name we use to label your symptoms isn’t as essential as the intervention. The core of functional medicine is finding the WHY, or root cause, not the WHAT. Many treatments don’t involve a medication to cover up symptoms, but rather support your individual needs to correct the underlying dysfunctions
— you have a unique genome, microbiome, and lifestyle. >>
While many people may assume functional medicine is simply lifestyle-based medicine; it is actually a systems-oriented, science-based approach that considers a patient’s biochemistry, physiology, genetics, and environmental exposures when looking for the cause of a specific medical issue or set of symptoms.
Foundations of Functional Medicine
at The Facility Denver
Functional Medicine does NOT mean "take a bunch of supplements"
While supplements may be an important step in the healing process for chronic issues, nutrient deficiencies, or other burdens... they are not the solution to your problem. If we simply ran tests and gave you pills:
would we be any different than a conventional medical practice?
Instead, we look at FOOD and LIFESTYLE as paramount. This means we have high expectations of you as a patient to implement change. It could be as simple as chewing your food better, finding time to be creative, or getting more sun exposure. Little things add up- and we're here to guide you along the way.
Learn from Us : Functional Medicine Blog
PRICE TRANSPARENCY.
What's Included in the New Patient Baseline Health Investigation (The New Patient Process):
60-Minute Initial Consultation +
Comprehensive Blood Panel +
90-Minute Review of Results +
Health Report Action Plan (PDF)
$1295
The Details:
-Initial Functional Medicine Consultation. You’ll spend time talking with both Functional Medicine Doctor, Dr. Mitchell Rasmussen, and Functional Nutritionist, Kate Daugherty. We’ll review your medical history, current health goals, and any symptoms/complaints impeding you from living life on your own terms. Expect to discuss various realms of wellness to include sleep habits, nutrition, stress management, environmental health, and movement.
-Comprehensive Bioscreen (Blood Test). This test goes beyond what your traditional doctor would order. We’ll look at over 100 markers to assess blood sugar regulation,
kidney function, liver function, thyroid function, inflammation, vitamins, cholesterol, iron status, immune health, and sex hormones. After we put in the lab order, you will go to LabCorp or another local draw site for the blood collection, and results will be sent via PDF within 10 days.
-Review of Results (90-Minutes). Once the lab results come in, we’ll schedule a 90- minute review appointment with both Dr. Rasmussen and Kate. We’ll go through the results IN DETAIL explaining why certain markers matter for overall health. It is important to us that you understand the biochemistry in context. With comprehensive data in front of us, we're ready to recommend specific dietary, lifestyle, and nutrition changes. Depending on findings, we may suggest further investigation with additional blood markers or other functional testing to include hormone testing, micronutrient panels, stool testing, and more.
-Detailed Action Plan / Health Report (PDF). Following the review appointment, you’ll be sent a detailed action plan that summarizes your lab results, and includes suggestions for natural supplements, nutrition (recipes, shopping lists, and more), and lifestyle habits to implement confidently on your own.
WHAT TO EXPECT AS A NEW PATIENT
Step 1: Functional Medicine Initial Consult - 90 Minutes - In Person/Telehealth - $275
When you book your first visit, we will send you (digital) new patient forms to be completed. This includes a comprehensive history and gives us background information on your symptoms, interventions, diet, supplements, medications, and current concerns. We ask that you provide any relevant medical records or laboratory testing results from the last 2 years. We will review these documents and forms prior to seeing you in person to best optimize your time. >> Unlike other doctor visits, this initial appointment will take time! Plan to spend 90 minutes with us.
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In the office, Dr. Rasmussen will conduct a problem-based physical examination and a full history. Our functional nutritionist, Kate, will participate in the initial visit and collect a dietary inventory. At the conclusion of your first visit, Dr. Rasmussen will discuss which laboratory and biomarker analyses need to be initially performed to gain deeper insight into the root cause(s) of your concerns.
Within 1-2 days, we will follow up with extensive appointment notes and an outline of recommended tests and initial care. Taking our time to properly work-up a patient’s case yields much better results in the long-run. We will work together in collaboration to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
Step 2: Proceed with Lab Testing - timeline varies
THEN WHAT?!
Follow-Up Care, as-needed.
We're available for follow-up visits depending on your need (and symptom complexity). MOST patients find that meeting with us once every 4-8 weeks is a good cadence to get a handle on changes initially. During appointments, we will review progress, adjust supplements, layer on new lifestyle habits, and adapt nutrition recommendations. We'll stretch frequency of visits out as you get more confident, and settle somewhere around quarterly or semi-annually.
The basic way to put it: You put in the effort, implement the plan. Book more time when you need new direction. Simple.
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As a promise, we'll always be up-front in what things cost. This allows you to budget accordingly for your (actual) HEALTHcare.
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45-Min Functional Medicine Follow-Up Visit (In-Person or Telehealth) - $300
90-Min Functional Medicine Follow-up Visit (In-Person or Telehealth) - $450
Additional Lab Testing + On-going Healthcare
During your lab review appointment, we will discuss the pros and cons (including costs) of any further testing relevant to your health. As a preview, you can read more about functional lab testing on our website here. Around the four month mark, we may repeat some of your initial labs. This gives us a chance to assess progress with real data and make any shifts in care. Often, your symptoms (or lack thereof) will dictate that decision. Most patients settle in to seeing us for check-ins monthly, quarterly, or yearly. You become a Facility family member: and we're here for you when new challenges and questions arise.
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Meet The Functional Medicine Team:
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How is Functional Medicine different than my normal doctor?Functional Medicine is a more holistic approach to wellness. Instead of focusing on single symptoms, we look at your body as a complete system. Everything is connected - Everything matters - Everybody is different. We are able to spend more time getting to know YOU and helping you understand how to be healthy.
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Does insurance cover Functional Medicine?We are out-of-network for all insurance networks. It is unlikely that functional medicine consults and advanced lab tests are covered by your insurance. We are happy to provide a receipt for services that you can submit for possible reimbursement.
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Do you see patients outside of Colorado?Yes! We are able to see you via Telehealth for Functional Medicine. We have patients all over the country, and most labs can be completed remotely*. Note that as a distance patient, we will provide coaching and advice but you are not considered under the medical direction of a physician. *There are limitations in New York and New Jersey for lab testing; but we are able to provide referals as needed.
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How does Lab Testing Work?The majority of lab testing is typically done at home, but blood work will also need to be completed at a phlebotomy center. We will direct you to the appropriate clinic depending on the labs that are ordered. Payment is made directly to The Facility according to our negotiated practitioner pricing. We will recommend very specific tests for you following an Initial Functional Medicine Visit. After your review, we will input lab orders and give further instruction on completion.
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How much should I expect to invest on lab testing?Functional Medicine care will typically require in-depth comprehensive laboratory analysis using both conventional and functional lab testing. Please be aware that insurance will likely not cover many of the labs ordered from specialized companies like Genova, Vibrant Wellness, Diagnostic Solutions, DUTCH, and Cyrex. Testing is something that will be discussed in detail at your initial appointment with recommendations made on an individual basis.
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I’m ready to get started, what are the next steps?If you are ready to make your initial visit, please visit our Online Booking Site or call the clinic (303) 474-4811 to schedule. To schedule a free consultation with our patient coordinator prior to the first visit, call us or email info@thefacilitydenver.com
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Does The Facility offer financing?We do not offer traditional financing for Functional Medicine and Physical Medicine care plans. We do our best to work within your means to create a payment plan that works for you.
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Can I get annual labs through The Facility?You bet! For established patients, the annual wellness review was designed to mimic a 'Yearly Wellness Visit' at your primary care doctor! The comprehensive biomarker panel is great for year over year comparisons and a report card for your health goals. > Learn more here!
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Should I expect follow-up testing?We suggest follow-up testing on a case-by-case basis. Often, we can utilize proxy markers or isolated panels to re-assess after intervention. This keeps your out of pocket expense lower, so you can focus on investing in treatment! For ongoing care, we find that a Comprehensive BioScreen is a useful annual "wellness" lab for assessing baseline health. Think of this as routine bloodwork your Primary Care Physician would run.
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Can I order tests without follow-up care?We see the best outcomes with directed guidance following lab testing. We do not offer testing outside of Functional Medicine care. As clinicians, we want the best for you and this is the model that allows us to see that through.
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What supplements do you recommend?We regularly recommend a variety of supplements from certified and qualified companies. We look for products that are made with superior ingredients and have been extensively researched and tested. We look for highly effective supplements in therapeutic doses to support your body’s metabolism and nutrient absorption. We are happy to discuss specific supplement recommendations as part of a functional medicine consultation, ensuring you are educated about the best product for you. You can shop our online dispensary here.
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What are Dr. Rasmussen's credentials and training?Dr. Mitchell Rasmussen is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in the state of Colorado. He completed his doctoral education at Northwestern Health Sciences University. He is fully certified as a Functional Medicine Practitioner (CFMP), having completed over 300 hours of formal functional medicine coursework. Beyond this, he has additionally completed more than 200 hours of Functional Immunology coursework; and has plans to complete a Masters of Science degree in Biochemistry- with goals of someday teaching other clinicians. Read Dr. Rasmussen's full bio here.
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What are Kate's credentials and training?Kate Daugherty holds a Masters of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. Her undergraduate degree is in Neuroscience from Washington and Lee University. She is a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) through the American Nutrition Academy, a particular distinction that allows her to practice therapeutic nutrition. Read more about the CNS credential here. Kate has completed coursework through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) and is working towards her certification as a Functional Medicine Practitioner. Read Kate's full bio here.