Introduction: What Is the Real Cost of Health?
When was the last time you went to the doctor and left with real answers—not just another prescription? If you’re frustrated with our current medical model, you’re not alone. In today’s world, what we call “health care” is actually sick care: a system built to treat disease, not prevent it.
True health care focuses on wellness, prevention, and long-term vitality. But here’s the catch: it often isn’t covered by insurance, and you’ll likely have to pay for it yourself.
Sick Care: Treating Symptoms, Not Root Causes
The traditional medical model is built around symptom management:
- Fatigue? Take a stimulant or antidepressant.
- Pain? Here’s a painkiller.
- Digestive issues? Try an acid reducer.
These are band-aid solutions. They don’t address why you’re unwell. In many cases, patient concerns are dismissed or minimized, and recommendations rarely go beyond drugs and referrals.
This is not true health care. It’s reactive, not proactive.
Check out Dr. Casey Means discuss the state of our “healthcare” systemhttps://functionalmedicinecoaching.org/podcast/casey-means-117
Health Insurance: A System That Doesn’t Want to Pay
Despite rising premiums, deductibles, and copays, most health insurance plans:
- Do not cover preventive services beyond basic screenings
- Deny claims for functional medicine, holistic care, or advanced testing
- Require you to be “sick enough” to qualify for certain treatments
- Doesn’t cover lifestyle-based therapies like nutrition coaching, IV therapy, or hormone balancing
The truth? Health insurance is in the business of minimizing payouts, not maximizing your well-being.
What Real Health Care Looks Like
Proactive health care means investing in preventive, holistic, and root-cause approaches that help you thrive—not just survive.
This could include:
- Functional medicine consultations
- Nutritional therapy or organic, whole-food diets
- Massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care
- Hormone testing and balancing
- Personal training and customized fitness plans
- Mental health support through therapy or coaching
- Lifestyle changes
Out-of-Pocket Wellness Costs (2025 Averages)
| Service | Average Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Functional medicine consult | $250–$500 |
| High-quality supplements | $50–$300/month |
| Preventive lab testing | $150–$600 |
| Acupuncture/massage/chiropractic | $50–$150 per session |
| Nutrition/health coaching | $100–$200/hr |
Yes, it’s an investment. But it’s one that pays off in energy, mobility, mental clarity, and long-term disease prevention.
Sick Care Is More Expensive in the Long Run
While out-of-pocket wellness may seem costly, consider the alternative:
- Chronic disease management
- Long-term prescription medications
- Time off work
- Surgeries and hospital stays
- Mental and emotional burnout
These costs—both financial and personal—can be far greater than investing in staying healthy.
You either pay for your health now, or you’ll pay for your illness later.
Becoming Your Own Health Advocate
If you want to live fully, vibrantly, and energetically, you’ll need to:
- Educate yourself about how your body works
- Ask questions and push for better answers
- Choose providers who listen, not just prescribe
- Invest in services and products that support your health
- Accept that some of the best care isn’t covered by insurance
The more you learn, the more empowered you become.
Living Life to the Fullest Means Taking Responsibility
It’s easy to wish someone else would fix our health problems—our doctor, our insurer, or the latest magic supplement. But the truth is: real health starts with you.
To thrive in today’s world, you must:
- Take initiative
- Partner with a provider you connect with and listens to your concerns
- Question the status quo
- Prioritize prevention
- Be willing to invest in your body, mind, and spirit
You only get one body. You are your best health advocate.
Final Thoughts: Wellness Is a Choice
The debate between sick care vs health care isn’t just philosophical—it’s personal. If you want to avoid the cycle of prescriptions and unresolved symptoms, it’s time to step outside the traditional system.
Yes, it will cost you.
Yes, it will require effort.
But your health, your freedom, and your quality of life are worth it.