Services Offered:
Natural Medicine Care for adults and children. All human diseases are treated. For example diabetes, insulin resistance syndrome, coronary disease, stroke, high blood pressure, allergies, weight problems, gastrointestinal problems, gynecologic issues, Candida infection, cancer, neurologic problems, osteopenia or osteoporosis, immune system issues, heavy metal concerns, and chronic infections like Herpes and Lymes have all been successfully treated.
Prolotherapy for Chronic Pain. Examples of effectively treated conditions are low back pain with or without sciatica, sacro-iliac strain, degenerative arthritis of any joint (but most commonly the knees, hips, and fingers), frozen shoulder problems and rotator cuff tendinitis, elbow pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle pain or sprains, TMJ, plantar fasciitis, tension or migraine headaches, and focused treatment of major trigger zones in fibromyalgia. Regenerative therapy for "bone on bone" knees or degenerative hips using glucosamine sulfate and human growth hormone directly in the affected joint is effective and available. To read more about this amazing treatment for pain, click the button below:
Neural therapy also helps resolve trigger points and muscle spasms as in Fibromyalgia and other musculoskeletal disorders, plus it removes "interference fields" resulting from scars which cross acupuncture meridians, and provides extremely effective therapy (even to resolution) for bronchial asthma.
Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy for gynecologic disorders caused by hormone imbalances in women of all ages, and hormone dysfunction and deficiencies in men. Examples of successfully treated conditions are the menopausal syndrome, infertility, sexual dysfunction (including low libido, orgasmic dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction), PMS, repeated miscarriages, heavy or painful menses, endometriosis, fibroids, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Weight Loss therapies at Dr Filice's clinic are strictly natural, and nutritional with hormonal blockages to weight loss always being identified and dealt with immediately. Major hormones commonly contributing to fat deposition include excess estrogen and insulin, and insufficient thyroid hormone. The first step is determining the ideal ratio of carbohydrates to protein that should be in each individual patient's diet (your metabolic type). This will vary. There is no such thing as one diet that is right for everyone. Prescribed eating plans may vary from vegetarian to almost entirely protein. The correct ratio is determined via a questionairre and through a glucose insulin tolerance test to establish carbohydrate tolerance. Portion control and exercise MUST be a part of your life long weight control plan. Patients that need extra help with hunger pangs can very effectively be helped with proprietary amino acid blends that are safe, yet turn down appetite even more effectively than the various pharmaceuticals employed by orthodox weight loss specialists. I often recommend various injection therapies which are self administered by patients at home and can also help patients get better results by enhancing sustained appetite suppression, maintanence of daily energy, and increasing fat burn from chronic problem areas.
Neurotransmitter Dysfunction is one of Dr Filice's subspecialties. Having been originally trained in Psychiatry, he's found it especially rewarding to be able to consistently help patients with emotional disorders like depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder in adults and children, and OCD, as well as those with many other neurotransmitter related diseases (like migraines, IBS, overweight problems, and Parkinson's disease) with precursor amino acids. He uses lab monitoring of seratonin and dopamine levels in the urine to reach effective doses of the supplements. The end point of effective symptom resolution results from rebalancing brain chemistry that has often been unfavorably altered by the use of psychiatric drugs such as SSRI anti-depressants.
Patient Education is one of Dr Filice's strongest commitments. He is an enthusiastic, informative, and very entertaining writer. You may access an archive of articles which he has written on a wide variety of health topics by going to www.robertfilice.com . Go to our "contact" page to submit your request to be added to Dr Filice's free weekly enewsletter, and don't miss Dr Filice's great perspective on natural and orthodox medicine today.
Allied Professionals:
Additional links to other reliable sources of health information and care are added below. Here is the list so far:
1. COMPOUNDING PHARMACIST:
For lots of great information about compounded pharmaceuticals, unique and innovative products to enhance health and treat illness, and especially about natural hormone replacement therapy visit Larry Frieder's website at:
2. MASSAGE, BODY WORK, COLON THERAPIST
I think we all know there is something therapeutic about being touched, and the various techniques for massage add other important ways to help people get well. Stress is frequently carried in the muscles rather than being consciously
acknowledged. Shellie Carter is a caring healer who can help you sort out what your body is tryiing to tell you. She also specializes in attending to the non material, energetic, and spiritual sides of healing, which many of us integrative physicians believe in, but are unable to integrate into our practices. Conveniently located in Warrenville, Shellie can often work wonders. She too is committed to patient education, and her offices include a beautifully appointed room that accomodates regular small group educational activities every month. I will be doing a discussion group on alternative medicine once or twice a month using this facility, probably starting in February of 2008. Check out her web site:
Office Fees, Payment, and Office Policies:
1. Since many of the services he provides are considered "elective" and "alternative" by insurance carriers, Dr Filice does not participate in any HMO or PPO plans so his services will be out of network for those patients. Private insurance may or may not cover his office services. He has opted out of the Medicare system, so Medicare will not be billed and will not reimburse any services. Generally for privately insured patients, some services are clearly not reimbursable (like chelation IV's), some are more or less covered (like prolotherapy), while some, like office visits and some standard laboratory work, may often be covered after your deductible is met. No definite statement or representation about the level of insurance reimbursement the patient may expect can be given. In most cases neither the insurance company nor Dr Filice will be able to provide assurance of preapproval of anticipated charges and services. Normally the level of reimbursement will only be known after the services have been rendered and the first claim has been submitted.
2. All services in his office must be paid for when rendered. Credit cards except Discover and American Express may be used for payments. Dr Filice does not accept assignment or direct payment from any third parties.
3. Patients will receive a superbill with the codes for services rendered at the end of each visit with detailed charges, and payment information. This may be used as the basis for submission of charges to the patient's insurance carrier.
4. 24 hours notice for cancelled appointments is requested. New patients who schedule but do not show or call will not be eligible for rescheduling. Patients receiving or applying for any disability payments or workman's comp for their medical condition or who are involved in litigation pertaining to their condition are generally not eligible for treatment. Patients arriving late for their appointments may be asked to reschedule. If you are running late, first call the office to see whether you can still be seen that day.
5. Because of Dr Filice's expertise in natural medicine, he is often consulted by patients from other states. In order to facilitate decision making about whether a trip to his office is warranted for these patients, Dr Filice has established a new category of service called a "Pre New-Patient Screening". Basically this is a telephone discussion of the patient's case history following the submission and review of pertinent medical records. It will be approximately 15 minutes long, and from this a decision can be made as to whether the patient is a good candidate for treatment at my office. The charge is $100 prepaid, however if the patient subsequently schedules a new patient visit, the $100 will be credited towards the usual new patient consultation fee of $250.
6. Office visits are normally about 30-60 minutes for new patients ($175 to$250) and 15 to 30 minutes for established patients ($125). If you are an existing patient and have many issues to discuss at your followup visit, you may request extra time ($175). This higher fee may occasionally be imposed at the time of service for longer and/or more complex followup vists. Charges for Prolotherapy depend on the area treated. Some representative fees are as follows: Low Back, Midback or Neck ($450); Sacroiliac area, Elbow, Shoulder, Hip and Knees ($225): TMJ, Wrist, Hand, Fingers or Toes, Chest, Heel, and Achilles Tendon ($150). Special prolo additives like human growth hormone ($40 per unit), glucosamine sulfate ($30 per cc), and sodium morrhuate ($30 for up to 10cc) are extra.
7. There will be patients wanting to follow me from Caring Medical in Oak Park to my new practice in Aurora. In order to facilitate that process, I will credit any transferring patients the amount of any charges incurred (up to $25.00) in getting records sent over to me at the time of their first office visit.
8. It will be extremely helpful if you are a new patient, that you begin by emailing or faxing me a document with the information I request on my "Head Start" page. Please take the time to do this.
9. I believe you will be very pleased with your ability to communicate with me. Except when I am with patients, I answer all of my own phone calls on my office/cell phone at 708-307-8717 24 hours per day. You can also reach me by text messaging me at that 708 number, or by emailing me directly at rcf0924@att.net . I prefer emails to telephone calls whenever possible. All emails are also forwarded immediately to my cell phone, so you can expect quick replies to questions that do not require an office visit.
"Consent Form For Natural Medicine Treatment"
I require all new patients to sign the document below at the time of their first appointment with me. Please read it through, as understanding it should help us build rapport, begin our relationship on the "same page", and help us avoid
misunderstandings:
1. Natural, alternative and complementary, integrative, and holistic are all terms describing a different approach to the practice of medicine. The differences include a preference toward safer and less invasive interventions, greater attention to matters of life style and diet, and empahsizing patient symptoms over laboratory results alone in arriving at a diagnosis, especially when the two sources of information do not agree.
2. Many of my patients have already failed to improve under the care of multiple "orthodox" physicians, and seek me out out for a different approach. However in patients who have not been down that road, we encourage EVERYONE to inform themselves about their illness, as well as to seek out the opinion and recommendations of orthodox practitioners. We strongly believe each patient should have before them and fully understand all of the options for treatment available to them before deciding on any one approach.
3. Most of the theories and therapies I strongly believe in have NOT been subjected to double blind studies, and in some cases double blind studies have
been done and failed to prove benefits (for example chelation therapy). But this is also true of a large percentage of therapies in orthodox medicine as well. However, the therapies and approaches I use have passed the test of clinical experience, and I have found them to be safe and effective in helping restore
patients to better health. The patient should know that orthodox practitioners as a whole often disagree with many of these ideas, or may be completely unfamiliar with them. Sometimes they will even claim that the approaches I take are dangerous.
4. One common criticism of complementary and alternative medicine is that it
may delay the starting of "effective standard therapy" and thereby harm you indirectly. This is a major reason why it is so important that you be fully informed about all your options before making a final decision. At the time of our initial consultation, I will lay out both the standard and alternative treatment options applicable in your case, and help you understand the risks and the benefits of both approaches. However for a full understanding of the risks of orthodox therapies which I do not employ, discussion must take place with your other physicians.
5. Another major difference in my practice is the emphasis on early intervention and even preventive medicine. I believe there is enough data, and positive clinical experience to suggest that we can change the course of early diseases, and potentially even prevent the onset of disease and age related dysfunction by assessing and appropriately managing risks specifically revealed through medical examinations and testing. Issues like hormone imbalances, the bodily presence of heavy metals like lead and mercury in hair or urine specimens, and coronary artery calcium
6. Any of the individual therapies that I may prescribe may occasionally be associated with adverse effects. Each type of intravenous treatment (each has its own informed consent form), hormone replacement therapy (separate consent), and even oral supplements and dietary changes can produce unwanted effects, and allergic reactions. It is also possible, as with any medical procedure or treatment, that my condition may be worsened or not improved at all by these treatments.
7. Be aware that I do not generally function as a primary care provider, and I do not maintain admitting priviledges at any hospital. However, I am available 24 hours per day for after hour emergencies. Generally my care supplements, but does NOT replace, other needed medical attention that may be required for complete care. Therefore, it is generally advisable for my patients to retain the services of a primary care physician, and to continue to see any specialists that have been working with you.
8. It is possible that natural medicine care may be less reimbursable by my insurance plan. It is even possible that I may receive no reimbursement at all for any of the care I receive. As such, although I will prepare Physician Statements that are appropriate for the patient to submit charges to their insurance company, it's important to understand that I can give no statements or assurances of any particular level of insurance coverage for any of the services my patients may need.
I,____________________________________, after reading, considering, and having been given an opportunity to ask my physician any further questions I may have about the above, do hereby request and consent to treatment by Robert C. Filice, MD. I acknowledge that I have either explored or exhausted traditional treatment options or I have rejected them as not being right for me at this time. I also acknowledge discussion with Dr Filice regarding any possible danger in NOT OBTAINING more orthodox treatment for my condition(s) at this
time. NO assurances or guarantees as to the ability of any specific natural medicine treatments to produce any particular result have been given to me.
