FirstLine Therapy - Weight Loss and Lifestyle Change

FirstLine Therapy (FLT) is a specialized weight loss and therapeutic lifestyle change program unlike any other in that the FLT system targets the underlying causes of chronic illnesses by incorporating a sensible eating plan, exercise, nutritional supplementation, and stress management. In fact, the following key characteristics are unique to the FLT program:

FLT is not just a weight loss program
Most programs are focused on weight while FLT is best used as a first line treatment for common, chronic health problems (e.g., high cholesterol, insulin resistance, unhealthy body composition).

The FLT eating plan is different
Most programs are focused on low fat diets while FLT emphasizes the importance of a low-glycemic eating plan that is consistent with current research.

FLT incorporates medical foods and nutritional supplements
The appropriate use of medical foods and supplements enhances program effectiveness and shortens the time it takes for you to achieve risk reduction goals.

FLT has been demonstrated to be effective in human clinical studies
Most programs lack clinical evidence of effectiveness.

Getting Started—A Matter of Fat
In order to measure your progress, you first need to know your current health status. A variety of health assessments may be performed, including a quick, non-invasive measurement of your body fat and lean muscle mass. Excess body fat can greatly increase your health risks. But a higher ratio of muscle increases your metabolism and is associated with a lower incidence of illness.  Improving your muscle-to-fat ratio is perhaps the most powerful tool in controlling the aging process and restoring vitality.

With a physician prescription, the program, or some of its component parts, may be reimbursable through your health insurance or Medical Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account. Patients report success in getting FLT covered by insurance, but be sure to call your insurance company for more information on what your plan will and will not cover. (***See more about insurance below.)

Your personal FirstLine Therapy program offers:

• Initial and follow-up testing
• Practitioner consultations
• Program guidebook
• Solutions for staying active
• Simple eating guidelines
• Progress tracking
• Lifestyle counseling
• Nutritional product recommendations

Reversing & delaying chronic illness can help you regain and maintain health.  And that’s what FirstLine Therapy is all about.

• Stress-related disorders
• Fatigue disorders
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Menopause
• Prostate problems
• Conditions related to overweight and obesity
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Osteoarthritis
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Metabolic syndrome
• Osteoporosis

Did you know:

• Chronic diseases account for 78% of annual healthcare costs.1
• Chronic diseases also account for one-third of the years of potential life lost before age 65.
• Most chronic diseases are caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits. For example, 91% of type 2 diabetes is caused by unhealthy habits and forms of behavior.
• Chronic, disabling conditions cause major limitations in activity for more than one of every 10 Americans.
• The prolonged course of illness and disability from chronic diseases results in extended pain and suffering and decreased quality of life.

FirstLine Therapy can help you regain and maintain your health.  For more information on FLT or to register for the program, please email aharrington@marinocenter.org and ask how you can start FirstLine Therapy today!

 

 

***FLT Insurance Coverage

Will the FLT Program be Covered or Reimbursed by my Insurance?

As with all of our health care services, this depends on the terms of your insurance policy.

For patients with a physician at the Marino Center:

• If you were referred to the program by a licensed provider (MD/DO or Nurse Practitioner) for a medical reason  (such as high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure), the office visits with our nutritionist and associated lab tests, and/or Med Gem resting metabolic rate measurement should be covered just like just like office visits for any other clinical problem.
• If you are doing the program just to lose weight, please call your insurance company to verify coverage. Some insurance companies cover visits to a registered dietitian for weight loss.
• If you’re doing the program because you just have a desire to feel great and take the best care of yourself, it may be more difficult to get reimbursed, although it is certainly worth submitting the bill to your insurer.  (We will not say you have a diagnosis you don’t have for the purposes of getting you reimbursed – that’s fraud).

For patients who do not have a physician at the Marino Center:

• Blue Cross and Harvard Pilgrim Insurance: Our nutritionists are providers for Blue Cross and Harvard Pilgrim, if you were referred to the program by a licensed provider (MD/DO or Nurse Practitioner) for a medical reason (such as high cholesterol, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure), the office visits with our nutritionist and associated lab tests, and/or Med Gem resting metabolic rate measurement should be covered just like just like office visits for any other clinical problem. If you are doing the program just to lose weight, please call your insurance to verify coverage.
• If you have insurance other than Blue Cross or Harvard Pilgrim and were referred to the program for a medical reason and have out of network nutrition benefits, you are likely to get reimbursed, although we will ask you to pay for the program.  You will receive an itemized bill showing what you paid as well as the diagnosis and procedure codes your insurance company requires in order to evaluate your claim.
• If you are doing the program just to lose weight, please call your insurance company to verify coverage. Testing for resting metabolic rate (which is optional) may not be covered.
• If you have insurance other than Blue Cross or Harvard Pilgrim and you are doing the program because you just have a desire to feel great and take the best care of yourself, it may be more difficult to get reimbursed, although it is certainly worth submitting the bill to your insurer (We will not say you have a diagnosis you don’t have for the purposes of getting you reimbursed – that’s fraud.)

Flexible Spending Accounts:
Flexible Spending Accounts and Medical Savings Accounts are likely to cover the cost of the program including supplements, though every plan is different. Again, call them and ask. It is unlikely that your insurer will cover the cost of any recommended supplements.

If you have additional questions regarding insurance, please contact, Ashley Harrington, First Line Therapy program coordinator at aharrington@marinocenter.org.