Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT MAKES THE OPTIMUM HEALTH CENTRE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER MEDICAL PRACTICES?
Here at The Optimum Health Centre, you are not your disease or your diagnosis. Through an Integrative lens and a multi-disciplinary approach, our team of health practitioners prioritise each and every component that makes up you. This includes not just your current health and symptoms, but your genetics, your history, your emotional state, and more.
We regularly work with patients who have come to the Optimum Health Centre because they felt that their health care provider/s gave very little attention to anything other than their symptoms and diagnosis. Every component of you matters in finding truly optimum health.
DOES THE OPTIMUM HEALTH CENTRE ACCEPT NEW PATIENTS FROM ANY COUNTRY?
Yes, we do. We are excited to work with you and assist you with your health needs and goals no matter where in the world you reside!
HOW LONG IS THE WAIT FOR THE INITIAL CONSULTATION?
The wait time for the initial consultation depends on how quickly you complete the intake process and on the availability of our health practitioners. You will rarely have to wait more than a week or so for your initial consultation.
WHAT IS THE WAIT TIME TO BOOK FOLLOW-UP CONSULTATIONS?
Once established as a client, follow-up consultations, are available typically within 1-2 weeks.
DO YOU OFFER CONSULTATIONS ON AN AD HOC BASIS?
Once you are an established client, and have engaged with one of our programmes, then yes, we offer consultations on an ad hoc basis.
HOW DO I BECOME A PATIENT?
Step 1. Fill out our very quick Mini Quiz, and then look out for an email with a link to schedule your Discovery Call with one of our team members.
Step 2. Complete the Discovery Call with a member of our team to ensure that we can help you on your journey towards optimum health.
Step 3. If we discover that our practice is aligned with your health goals we will send you our CLIENT INTAKE QUESTIONNAIRE for you to complete and submit.
Step 4. Once your questionnaire has been received, we will contact you to schedule your initial consultation with our medical doctor.
WHAT CONDITIONS DO YOU TREAT?
We work with individuals to treat a broad range of chronic health and chronic pain conditions. We will inform you immediately if we are unable to treat your condition and we will try to find a practitioner or health centre that is able to assist you.
WHAT MODALITIES DO YOU USE FOR TREATMENT?
Modalities Utilized
• Allopathic Medicine
• Diet/Nutrition Support
• Group Education & Support
• Health Coaching
• Integrative Medicine
• Meditation guidance and recordings
• Neuroscience-informed therapy
• Nutritional Counseling
• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Psychological therapy
• Weight Loss
HOW DOES THE OPTIMUM HEALTH CENTRE APPROACH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE?
Each individual is unique, as is each treatment. Two people with the same diagnosis can have vastly different treatment programmes based on their background, medical history, nutritional profile, genetic makeup, etc. We take into account all of these factors, along with each person’s capacity, budget, and preferences while creating and implementing a treatment programme to promote healing.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO FEEL BETTER?
This is a partnership and like anything, the work you put into it is what you will get out of it. In Integrative medicine, there is no “easy remedy”. Success typically is realized when patients have an openness to engaging with simple daily practices as well as lifestyle changes, diet adjustments, exercise, nutritional supplementation, and a positive attitude.
WHAT ARE THE COSTS?
To learn more about fees, costs, and payment processes associated with becoming a client, consult this page. If you live outside the boarders of South Africa, we require that our services are paid for in US Dollars.
WILL MY MEDICAL AID SCHEME COVER THE COSTS OF MY TREATMENT?
For South African clients with comprehensive medical aid cover and/or a medical savings account, you will be reimbursed for some of each consultation with our medical doctor. You will also be reimbursed for the consultations with our other health practitioners. Unfortunately, most medical aid schemes do not yet cover the services provided by Health Coaches.
If you are diagnosed with a Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) condition, such as clinical depression or certain types of cancer, etc, then your medical aid plan, including a ‘hospital plan’, is required to cover some or all of the costs related to the out-of-hospital management of your PMB condition. As an example, medical aid schemes are required to cover the costs of between 10 and 15 consultations with a psychologist for the treatment of clinical depression.
HOW OFTEN WOULD I NEED TO HAVE CONSULTATIONS?
This varies on your health goals and needs and finances. With the Personalised Treatment Programme, we strongly recommend that you try to complete each ‘set’ of four consultations within the space of 4 – 6 weeks. Consistency is key as is continuity of care.
DO YOU OFFER TELEHEALTH CONSULTATIONS?
Yes. We offer telemedicine from the first consultation onwards if requested. Clients can choose to be seen in-person or via one of the online platforms available. As of now, telehealth appointments are billable to medical aid schemes.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?
We require ONE WEEK advance notice for the initial consultations and 24 business hours notice for all other consultations. We reserve that time specifically for you and do not overbook.
Any cancellation made less than the above mentioned in advance will result in a cancellation fee starting at R500 (or $50 for those living outside of South Africa) and dependent on the type of consultation or service.
CAN I SCHEDULE A CONSULT FOR ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER?
We believe that individuals/clients with a strong, supportive community can have excellent health outcomes. We also believe that taking personal responsibility for one’s health is crucial. We want to develop a relationship with each client, therefore we ask that able adults contact us to begin their personal journey. Parents are encouraged to facilitate the enrolment process for their minor children however.
WILL YOU REQUIRE PATH LAB TESTS AS PART OF MY TREATMENT?
Lab tests are often recommended during the initial consultation. In order to understand what testing is necessary, our team will need to thoroughly review your ‘paperwork’ and have a conversation with you about your health needs and goals. You will be responsible for obtaining and paying for any tests recommended.
WILL YOU PROVIDE ME WITH A PRESCRIPTION FOR MEDICATION?
No. At your initial consultation our doctor will discuss any medication needs you have and provide you with recommendations and guidance as well as a referral letter to your regular GP if required.
