Q: How does Holistic/Integrative Medicine differ from conventional medicine?
A: Holistic or Integrative Medicine is a healing-oriented medicine that takes into account the whole person — body, mind and spirit — including all aspecs of lifestyle. It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship and makes use of both conventional and alternative therapies.
Q: Can your providers act as my primary care physician?
A: Yes, we can act as your primary care provider. We can also serve on a consultative capacity and willing to work closely with your primary care physician or other specialists.
Q: Are Holistic Medicine services covered by insurance?
A: The services provided by our Holistic Medicine program at our Apollo Beach clinic are offered on a fee for service basis. We ask that payment be made at the time of service. Although insurance companies are increasingly reimbursing for our services, these services are still considered elective and therefore may not be covered. Following payment of service, we will provide you with the appropriate documentation along with a receipt of your visit. Many insurance carriers will partially reimburse for our services based upon this receipt. Additionally, some health insurance carriers offer a Flexible Spending account and holistic services may fall under this plan.
For Medicare patients, the physician consultation is free and covered for those with Medicare part B.
Q: When should one seek Integrative Medicine – Before or after surgery?
A: Holistic Medicine can be helpful for preoperative preparation for advice on timing of herbs and supplements to take or not take around surgery as well as for reducing anxiety and pain. Acupuncture, bodywork and counseling therapies may help facilitate a speedier recovery from surgery and diagnostic procedures.
Q: Who are your providers?
A: Ms. Nataliya Sia, ARNP, is a resident of Riverview and a native of Ukraine who speaks 4 languages (Russian, Ukranian, Chinese-Mandarin and English). She received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Adult Nurse Practitioner at the University of South Florida (USF). Dr. George Rucker is a resident of Bradenton and a Urologist and General Practitioner who graduated form the University of Virginia Medical School in 1995 and did his surgical residency at Cornell Medical and Sloan Kettering Cancer Centers in Manhattan, N.Y. He opened his first practice in Bradenton years ago, and then another in Tampa before working with Ms. Nataliya Sia, ARNP to open Holistic Medical Care Clinic in Apollo Beach.