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The Center For The Improvement Of Human Functioning International
A Non-profit Medical, Research and Educational Organization
3100 North Hillside Avenue, Wichita, KS 67219 USA
Phone: 316-682-3100; Fax: 316-682-5054

Becoming a Patient/Co-Learner

The Olive Garvey Center for Healing Arts is the division of The Center For The Improvement Of Human Functioning International where people come for help with illnesses that have not responded to standard medical approaches. Our approach is somewhat different from standard medicine. In each and every case of chronic illness, which we prefer to think of as sustained illness, we seek to discover the multiple factors that come together to cause the illness.

We view ourselves as Sherlock Holmes, and standard medicine as Scotland Yard. Standard medicine is adequate for most cases, but special ones, such as yours, may require a more in-depth evaluation and personalized detective work. Because our evaluations are very thorough, they require more time than most people expect from a physician. Before ever seeing a new patient/co-learner, we require a very detailed, lengthy history. This helps the doctors during the intake interview to have the most complete information available.

In our view, to get to the bottom of why an illness of long-standing is present, it is necessary to consider genetic factors, (we must have the gene for any illness to occur), and epigenetic factors, which determine if the gene will be turned on or off. Epigenetic factors include the individual's specific biochemical needs, environmental factors, lifestyle factors (including nutrition), and precipitating events.

The basis for our approach to illness and health is contained in our definition of health:

"Health is having the reserve to do what you need to do and want to do with energy and enthusiasm."

The key word in the definition is reserve. In general, a persons reserves have been low for a prolonged period of time before the person becomes ill. One of the ways we seek to help people get well is to discover which reserves are down, and why, and how to build them up.


Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a patient/co-learner of The Center?
There are basically two requirements:

  1. Read the material on our website. If it makes sense to you, call and schedule an appointment.
  2. You must fill out our very complete history packet in advance and pay the initial fee to receive your first appointment.

What are the charges for my initial evaluation?
The comprehensive history packet and initial office consultation and evaluation is $599. (A child 12 years of age or under is $399). The history packet will be provided upon payment of the initial fee. This may be done in person, by mail, or by phone with credit card.

Will there be additional costs?
Any laboratory work or other procedures that are ordered have an additional fee. We discuss the charges before any additional procedures are performed. We do ask that you pay for services when they are provided. We accept most major credit cards.

Does insurance pay for these services and tests?
Because many of the services provided by The Center involve biochemical and nutritional concepts unfamiliar to insurance companies and standard medical people, they tend to not understand the necessity for many of our tests and services. Consequently, they frequently reject payment of the claim even though the insured party gets good results.

Is there a way to consult with a Center professional before scheduling an appointment?
There is no charge for brief telephone discussions with our staff between 9:00 and Noon, Central Time, Monday through Friday at 316-682-3100.

How do I obtain the Center history packet?
Send check or money order for $599 to OWGCHA, or call 1-800-447-7276 and have this charge put on your credit card. The history packet will be sent to you promptly.

How do I schedule my first appointment?
You may call us at 316-682-3100 for the first available appointment. Once the initial fee has been paid, we will schedule that appointment for you.


Facts About The Olive Garvey Center for Healing Arts Fees

The Center is a non-profit organization that charges the lowest possible fees for our services while maintaining the highest possible quality.

Prior to coming to The Center, you will be provided an extensive medical history to complete. You will also complete a 7-day record of diet intake. Please bring medical records with you if you have them. Our initial evaluation, which takes the better part of 2 days, (3 days for Cancer patients) involves consultation with a medical doctor who carefully listens to your medical concerns, several tests to evaluate your physiologic status, consultations with other members of our health care team, and lunch at the Taste of Health restaurant.

The adult fee for the comprehensive evaluation, which you will long remember for its thoroughness, is $599. The fee for a child 12 years of age and under is $399. This is requested at the time your first appointment is made. Can I get in as a patient/co-learner? Yes. Unlike “closed practices” in which apparently no one gets well, we expect most of our patients/co-learners to not need us over time, except for checkups every 6 months. In fairness to those waiting for an appointment, the payment commitment is required to make sure there is a clear intention to keep the appointment. Time is precious; please keep your scheduled appointment reservation. If for some reason you choose not to keep your scheduled initial evaluation, we will refund your payment less a $100 cancellation fee.

After your initial consultation with one of our medical doctors, laboratory testing will probably be recommended. The fees for laboratory testing may be $2500 or more if you have multiple medical problems. These will provide a baseline for discovering possible underlying causes of your ailments. While this is a substantial sum, often not covered by insurance, we are told by many people who come to The Center that our fees total less than the co-payments they have paid for evaluations and treatments that did not produce desired results.

All fees are discussed with you before any service is performed so that you can decide if suggested services make sense to you and if they are affordable. Payment is expected at the time of service. Many people choose to use a credit card to cover the cost of services at The Center. American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa are all accepted, as are personal checks and cash. We do not accept third party payment, nor do we extend credit. We supply you with a full-itemized bill and diagnostic codes so you may submit your own claim. Questions about your coverage should be directed to your insurance carrier.

Your second appointment will be about two to three weeks after your initial evaluation. Your entire evaluation, including laboratory test results, will be discussed with you at that time. The fee for this appointment is $128. You may make an audiotape if you wish. Just bring a cassette recorder and tape.

Your third appointment to review your progress will be in about one month from your second appointment. The fee for this appointment will be $124. Then, appointments are ordinarily spread out in intervals of two, three, or four months, depending on how well you are doing. Fees for these appointments vary, depending on the length of time spent with the health professional. Only those laboratory tests that are abnormal or nutritionally sub-optimal will be repeated during the first three months. Therefore, laboratory charges after your first visit usually are relatively small. Treatments in addition to office consultation may be recommended.

Please remember your questions are always welcome at The Center. We are embarking together to discover ways to enhance your sense of well-being, your vigor, and your useful longevity. We have been very successful in doing that very thing for thousands of people who have chosen The Center, sometimes as the last resort, to recover their health.

All prices are subject to change without notice.

For additional information, please call 316-682-3100
Monday through Friday 9:00AM - 12:00PM.

3/02/05

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The Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning International
3100 North Hillside Avenue
Wichita, KS 67219 USA
Phone: 316-682-3100; Fax: 316-682-5054
Medical Records Fax: 316-618-8537 * Laboratory Fax: 316-682-2062

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