FitMed FAQS: our health, fitness, and age management programs

Charleston SC FitMed Partners: Frequently Asked Questions

What are FitMed’s office hours?

FitMed Partners’ hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our founder, Bright McConnell, III, MD, also serves Charleston Sports Medicine, so his week is divided between the two offices.

Can I choose FitMed services a la carte? (should there be an Our Services & Assessments page where patients can see a list?)

Yes, you may choose from any of our profiles, programs, or assessments, though the age management program does require an initial profile, which is included in the fee. In addition, you may choose to have nutrition counseling, a resting metabolic rate, body composition, or VO2 max exercise test. Here are a few of the services we offer and the technology we use at FitMed Partners:

Body Composition

Body composition measurement is a key component of monitoring health. It provides more useful information than total weight, by differentiating between fat and lean weight. It is important to learn what you are made of, as high body fat percent is associated with many chronic diseases. Abnormally low body fat percent is also detrimental to health. FitMed uses the extremely accurate air displacement (plethysmography) method of body composition measurement (BOD POD Body Composition Tracking System).

Metabolism

Measuring the resting metabolic rate helps determine how many calories you burn during a day without exercise. FitMed Partners uses a gas exchange system, called MedGem, to determine your resting metabolism. We can then use this information to guide your nutrition program.

Bone Mineral Content

We also use the GE Lunar Prodigy DXA, which is a testing device that measures body composition with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. This device can look beyond weight and the traditional body mass index to determine body fat distribution, lean tissue mass, and bone mineral content.

Strength & Balance

We will perform strength and balance testing to assess your baseline fitness level, using our Biodex Balance System.

Exercise Stress Testing with ECG Monitoring:

For those undergoing a FitMed Profile, or those undergoing a fitness assessment who have certain risk factors, a cardiovascular stress test that uses treadmill or bicycle exercise and electrocardiographic (ECG) and blood pressure monitoring will be performed.

SpectraCell Nutrition Testing

Vitamin, mineral and antioxidant deficiencies have been shown to suppress the function of the immune system, which can contribute to degenerative processes such as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. SpectraCell Laboratories developed their exclusive, patented MicroNutrient Test to measure the function of selected vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential micronutrients within your white blood cells. Analysis can reveal a person’s functional nutrient status over a much longer time period than conventional serum testing.

Threat of Heart Disease and Stroke

FitMed employs the Arterio Vision™ CIMT Test (carotid intima-media thickness), which is administered with the age management profile. Available in the spring of 2009, the Arterio Vision CIMT Test helps identify the risk of heart disease and stroke through an ultrasound procedure that measures the thickness of the first two layers of the carotid artery in the neck, where atherosclerosis (the underlying cause of heart attacks and strokes) develops.

Cognitive Function

The Headminder Cognitive Stability Index™ (CSI), administered with the age management profile, is a web-based screening tool designed to monitor cognitive status in healthy, at-risk, and afflicted populations. At its core is a series of repeatable neurocognitive tests of attention, memory, reaction time, speed of information processing, and executive functions. Using this “baseline” model, in which an individual’s scores are compared to his/her own prior scores, small decreases of cognitive function can be identified very early.

How much do the programs, profiles, and assessments cost?

Depending on the type of services selected, costs can range from a hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. For more information on pricing, please call us at 843.284.5720.

Can I expect any insurance reimbursements for the services you provide?

Because most of our assessments and treatment recommendations may be considered preventive in nature, many insurance companies and government programs (Medicare) do not cover professional fees, prescriptions, or labs. FitMed does, however, facilitate reimbursement for non-Medicare clients by providing them with the information needed to file for out-of-network insurance benefits, if applicable, although payment is expected at the time of service. Additionally, various programs designed to give individuals tax advantages to offset health care costs are available.

Will Medicare benefits cover your services?

We do not file for or accept Medicare.

Does FitMed Partners offer any payment plans?

Payment is collected at the time of service. Long term programs allow for monthly payments.

Learn more about Charleston, SC’s FitMed Partners

Bright McConnell, III, MD

The FitMed Team

FitMed Medical