Most people with active Utah Medical Cards need to renew those cards on an annual basis. A small number of patients have shorter renewal times based on recommendations from their medical providers. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a permanent Medical Card in Utah. That is a good thing.
Card renewal is designed to accomplish several things. If patients were not required to renew, which is to say they had permanent cards, it is quite possible that they would ultimately not receive all the potential benefits of comprehensive care. And that runs contrary to the whole purpose for introducing Utah's Medical Card.
We think it is important to point out that not every patient with an active Medical Card actually renews it. Just by looking at the monthly program data published by the state, you can see that thousands of cards expire every month. While the program continues to add new patients, it also drops patients who choose not to renew.
There could be any number of reasons for not renewing:
Possessing an active Medical Card isn't an automatic requirement to renew after a year. In order for patients to fully understand whether renewal is a good idea, a discussion with a medical provider is an order. That is the whole point. Requiring renewal encourages patients to visit with their medical providers on a regular schedule.
A Med Card is just one component of a comprehensive care plan. It provides access to plant-based medicines considered alternatives to traditional treatments. But care is only truly comprehensive when it adapts to a patient's health and current condition. Both of those things can change over time.
The reality of change is one of the reasons doctors cannot write prescriptions indefinitely. A prescription can only be renewed so many times before the patient needs to visit the healthcare provider again. Subsequent visits are intended to make sure that the medication in question is still an appropriate treatment. The same is true for the medicines accessible through a Medical Card.
Something else to think about is the possibility that better treatments will come along in the future. Healthcare is constantly evolving. Science is always teaching us new things about medicine. So what works best today might not work as well as a new treatment introduced a year from now.
Visiting with a healthcare provider is the best way to stay abreast of new treatments. A healthcare provider is in the best position to know whether a new treatment is more appropriate.
All of this is to say that things change. Rarely is a person's medical condition static for an entire lifetime. Symptoms sometimes get worse. Sometimes they get better. When it comes to degenerative conditions, a patient's experience changes as the disease progresses. These are all things providers take into account during renewal visits.
If you have a Utah Medical Card, you may consider it a hassle to have to renew every year. We get it. But as a QMP group committed to comprehensive care, we know that renewals are a good idea. Renewals give us an opportunity to visit with our patients, if for no other reason than to check up on them. It is better for patients in the long run.
Pain is a topic that can be discussed from an almost limitless number of angles. There are just so many aspects to it that pain is very difficult to put in a box. So it stands to reason that managing pain is similar. There is no one-size-fits-all way to do it for every person. Enter the Utah Med Card.
Historically, the U.S. has been reluctant to embrace the plant-based medicines made available through the Utah Med Card. We will not get into the reasons why. Rather, we have seen a growing acceptance of those medicines in recent years, especially for treating chronic pain. We have made such incredible strides that the KindlyMD team is confident in saying that the Utah Med Card is a legitimate option for managing pain.
Although Utah's Med Card program has been active for several years now, there are still plenty of chronic pain patients who either haven't heard of it or don't know how it works. The good news is that the program is fairly simple. As previously stated, a Med Card gives a patient access to plant-based medicines that are not available otherwise.
These are medicines that aren't available by traditional prescription. They also are not sold down at the chain pharmacy. They are dispensed only through state-licensed pharmacies to patients with active Med Cards.
One of the things we do here at KindlyMD is help eligible patients get their cards. If you have been diagnosed with a qualifying condition, our care team can evaluate your health and then recommend you for a Med Card. Then it is as simple as completing an online application form and paying a small fee. Truly, the process of getting a Med Card isn't difficult.
Obtaining a Utah Med Card is just the start of the journey toward feeling work alongside you with a range of additional services designed to help you feel better.
It has been said that using a Med Card and its associated plant-based medicines to manage pain is more of a journey than anything else. We cannot argue with such sentiments. For so many patients, managing pain is not a matter of taking a single drug or undergoing a single procedure followed by the pain immediately stopping. That's why we discuss chronic pain in terms of management rather than healing.
After getting your Med Card, you are likely going to need additional care to improve the way you feel. Our team is here to provide it.
One last thing we would like to encourage you before closing this post is the idea of the Utah Med Card being worth considering. We have no way of knowing where you are or how pain is affecting you. However, we do know that it is not uncommon for chronic pain patients to try every traditional treatment and still find very little relief.
Med Cards are available to chronic pain patients in Utah. You have nothing to lose by getting your card and beginning a journey with plant-based medicines. If the Med Card and its medicines don't work for you, you've only lost a little bit of time along with a minimal application fee. But if you do find the relief that you're after, the time and effort you put into getting your card will pay for itself.
KindlyMD is known throughout Utah for our ability to help patients obtain Med Cards for access to plant-based medicines. But we are so much more than Med Card evaluations and recommendations. We offer comprehensive care to patients dealing with pain, PTSD, and other conditions. Most importantly, our care is patient-focused.
What is patient-focused care? This post will explain our take on it. Needless to say, we don't believe “patient-focused care” is just a slogan. It is the foundation on which we operate. Our approach is vastly different from the outcome-based approach so many medical facilities are now trying to implement.
Over a decade ago, the federal government made it clear through the Medicare and Medicaid programs that it wanted healthcare facilities to begin transitioning away from the fee-for-service model in favor of an outcome-based model. Outcome-based medicine focuses on improving patient outcomes rather than concentrating solely on how much a clinician or facility charges.
Basing healthcare on outcomes is certainly a vast improvement over the old fee-for-service paradigm, but patient-focused care is better still. Patient-focused care acknowledges that patients are individuals rather than numbers. They are people with real needs, preferences, and values. Patients are not just statistics on a computer screen.
When a healthcare provider acknowledges patient realities, the next obvious step is figuring out how to provide care that meets individual needs, preferences, and values. The end result is a philosophy of care that goes beyond disease or injury to treat the entire person.
By its very design, patient-focused care is holistic. In order to focus on the patient, a healthcare provider cannot have tunnel vision. They must consider:
Something as seemingly simple as recommending a Utah Med Card and plant-based medicine can be influenced by each of these five factors. Is plant-based medicine best for the patient's physical, mental, and emotional health? Do social circumstances and the patient's cultural background in any way inhibit getting a Med Card? How does the patient view plant-based medicines in light of personal beliefs and values?
At this point, we should explain that patient-focused care at KindlyMD goes above and beyond Med Cards and plant-based medicines. We offer Complete Care that also includes mental health services and medication management. We apply the same patient-focused model to every service we provide.
The other defining characteristic of patient-focused care is the underlying goal of making sure that patients always maintain control over their own healthcare. Under both the fee-for-service and outcome-based models, clinicians remain in control. Patients might be asked for their input, but clinicians and care teams make decisions independently. We do not feel that this is the way healthcare should be.
As a patient, you know yourself best. You know exactly how you feel – both physically and emotionally. Only you know the principles and values that direct your life. So you are the only one who can make the final decisions about your care.
As we see it, patient-focused care is a better way to provide care. If you have been looking for comprehensive care for pain, PTSD, and other chronic conditions for which your primary provider hasn't been able to help, we invite you to visit us at KindlyMD.
We believe patient-focused care is the best way to treat patients, whether that means recommending a Med Card and plant-based medicines. If you are ready for a different kind of healthcare, pay us a visit.
KindlyMD fully supports Utah's Medical Card program and the opportunities to embrace plant-based medicine that come with it. We have been helping patients get their Med Cards since the very beginning, and we have seen nothing but positive results from it. But we can do better. That is exactly what we want to do.
We are here to help patients maximize their Med Cards with additional care. We call it “Complete Care.” It is one thing to have a Med Card and access to plant-based medicines. It's another thing entirely to combine them with a Complete Care strategy that involves an entire team of healthcare professionals. Complete Care at KindlyMD includes:
Med Card applications begin with evaluations and recommendations. We evaluate each and every patient on a case-by-case basis. When plant-based medicines are the best course of action, we recommend a Med Card. But it doesn't end there. When a Med Card needs to be renewed, we are ready to step in with a new evaluation and recommendation.
Returning to KindlyMD for each renewal ensures continuity of care. It ensures that the same clinic continues to follow you along your journey with plant-based medicines. Complete Care is made better that way.
Our Complete Care also includes continuing education on both qualifying conditions and how plant-based medicine can help. Not every medical condition qualifies for a Med Card. Even when a condition does qualify, plant-based medicines are not always the most appropriate course of action. These are things we want our patients to fully understand. So we make education one of the components in a Complete Care strategy.
Complete Care is individualized care. It is not the one-size-fits-all approach so often seen in modern medicine. We tailor treatment plans to each patient to ensure that the Med Card and plant-based medicine are as effective as possible. So in addition to the Med Card and its associated services, we also offer mental health and medication management services. When traditional medications are called for, we fully embrace utilizing them.
Tailored treatment plans are only successful when they are subject to adjustments and modifications. As patients progress along their journeys, medicine types and dosages may need adjustment. Additional care options might need to be offered. And sometimes, some of the care options patients have been taking advantage of can be eliminated.
Complete Care accounts for the fact that a patient's health changes over time. It accounts for physical, mental, and emotional changes. It also adapts to new technologies and treatment protocols. If a patient's treatment plan cannot be modified or adjusted, it is hard to claim that the patient is receiving Complete Care.
KindlyMD believes that patient knowledge and control are the foundation of Complete Care. We want and expect our patients to be active decision makers in their own care. To facilitate that, we do our best to provide as many resources as we can. In particular, we put a heavy emphasis on keeping our patients up to date on everything from delivery methods to different plant strains. If there is a helpful resource out there, we want to make it available to patients.
The entire KindlyMD staff is very appreciative of the fact that plant-based medicine is available in Utah. When combined with our other services and our operational philosophy, plant-based medicine can be a key component in offering Complete Care. If you have been missing Complete Care and want a better way to better health, we invite you to visit any one of our Utah clinics.
Dear valued community,
We have some thrilling news to share with you all regarding a significant leap in the world of Medical Cannabis in Utah. This change is set to transform the way many patients access Medical Cannabis and allows for more savings to patients seeking alternative care. Patients who see specific providers at KindlyMD are now given the opportunity to receive 1-year Medical Cannabis Card certifications for only $25. This will help those in our community customize their treatment plan to suit their specific requirements, incorporating mental health services, traditional medications, and alternative medicine as needed. This offer is available now in our SLC/Murray location, with plans to expand to our other clinics very soon.
The dawn of a new era — one where you no longer need to empty your wallet for quality care or the renewal of your Medical Card — is upon us! This is thanks to a groundbreaking approach that KindlyMD has implemented, integrating complete, whole-person healthcare visits with a Medical Cannabis recommendation.
For the past three years, many in our community have felt the burden of out-of-pocket payments for visits to obtain Medical Cannabis access in Utah. Luckily, that narrative has changed. Patients can now establish care under their insurance plan for pain, primary care, anxiety, depression, weight loss, therapy, prescription management, and alternative medicine, to name a few.
Select Insurance Plans Accepted at KindlyMD:
Select Health
Medicare
Once seen, established patients are then eligible to receive a Medical Cannabis certification (if qualified for cannabis use under Utah state law) for just $25.
As the founder of KindlyMD, I have always been at the forefront of the fight for affordable and accessible Medical Cannabis care. It's an honor to say that my vision and relentless efforts thus far have ensured that patients in Utah not only get higher quality care at lower costs, but also enjoy continuity in their treatment. With recent legislative changes, credentialed KindlyMD providers can treat an unlimited number of patients, unhindered by patient caps previously limiting them from doing so. This means consistent, quality care without breaking the bank.
*QMP costs vary for Medical Cannabis evaluations. QMPs may offer or require more frequent renewals at various rates. Please review the cost comparison chart on the Utah Department of Health and Human Services website.
**Annual fee for patients that require Medical Cannabis certification or recertification. This is not due each visit.
The world of Medical Cannabis has been shrouded in misconceptions, with many hesitant to share their use of cannabis with primary care or other providers. Our dual mission with UtahMarijuana.org and KindlyMD remains clear: de-stigmatize alternative medicine for seamless integration in traditional healthcare. This integration is about more than just access; it's about establishing a gold standard of complete care for all patients across our great nation.
The most evident advantage to establishing care with KindlyMD is reduced cost. But, KindlyMD is so much more than that. We dedicate our efforts to the elevation of patient care standards, integrating alternative treatment, prescription medicine, and behavioral health services into comprehensive care plans. KindlyMD commits to patient care, affordable access, and the destruction of barriers to quality healthcare for patients.
The Utah Medical Cannabis space is undergoing a significant upgrade, and this is just the beginning. We at KindlyMD are excited for what the future holds. To all members of our community, this is your chance to experience top-shelf care without top-shelf costs. Embrace the change and let KindlyMD guide the way. Schedule today.
Stay informed, stay healthy, and we'll see you soon!
Tim Pickett, MPAS-C, Founder & CEO
Looking for effective pain relief near you, without the risks associated with prescription medications? If you're in Utah and searching for pain relief near me, obtaining a Utah medical card may hold the key to your solution. In this post, we'll delve into how you can potentially wean off pain meds by making the most of the Utah medical card program and non-addictive treatments that are accessible nearby.
Before we dive into the advantages of non-addictive treatments, let's take a closer look at the Utah medical card program available near you. This program has been thoughtfully designed to offer individuals access to alternative treatments that may not be readily available through regular general practitioners or family doctors. These exclusive treatments can be accessed only with a valid medical card, which you can easily obtain nearby.
Acquiring a Utah medical card is a straightforward process. All you need to do is complete a convenient online application, consult with a medical provider close to you, and pay a nominal fee. Once your medical card is issued, it remains valid for one year. When the year nears its end, you have the option to renew it by consulting with a medical provider and paying the annual fee once more.
Now, addressing the pressing question: Can non-addictive treatments available near me help reduce reliance on pain meds? Specifically, we're referring to narcotic and opiate pain medications. It's worth noting that many individuals are also in search of alternatives to antidepressants and sleeping pills. Non-addictive treatments provided through the Utah medical card program can bring a ray of hope to those in need.
Non-addictive medications can potentially serve as a viable alternative to traditional medications. For individuals dependent on narcotic pain meds, it might be possible to gradually diminish their reliance on these drugs with the aid of non-addictive treatments. What makes this approach even more appealing is the possibility of combining non-addictive treatments with other alternatives.This ultimately eliminates the necessity for prescription medications.
It's crucial to understand that there are no universal solutions when it comes to medical treatment. Every person responds differently to various treatments, and this variability is why the field of medicine often involves a process of trial and error. Doctors often need to experiment with different approaches to identify the most effective treatment for each unique patient.
Know the effectiveness of the non-addictive treatments that are provided. It's equally important to understand how effective traditional treatments are. This is where KindlyMD excels, finding that perfect solution for you. People's reactions to medications vary, and what proves effective for one individual may not work for another. Therefore, a cautious and meticulous approach is of utmost importance.
For those seeking to transition away from prescription medications nearby, adopting a gradual and monitored approach is paramount. Many prescription medications should not be abruptly discontinued, as this can lead to uncomfortable side effects. Instead, a more prudent strategy involves tapering off prescription meds gradually. Then introduce non-addictive alternatives under the guidance of a nearby trusted medical provider.
With time and proper monitoring, many patients can successfully reduce or eliminate their reliance on prescription medications. Even if complete elimination is not attainable, significant reductions in medication usage can significantly enhance overall well-being.
If you are currently using prescription medications that you wish to reduce, and you qualify for a Utah medical card, it's time to talk about your treatment options. Consider paying a visit to one of our nearby clinics to consult with a KindlyMD provider. This initial step could mark the commencement of your journey toward reducing or eliminating medications you'd prefer not to take.
In conclusion, effective pain management near me can be achieved through alternative treatments offered via the Utah medical card program. We've helped thousands of patients become pain free, there is hope. Non-addictive solutions are real for those seeking an alternative to prescription medications. Don't hesitate to explore these nearby options and take the first step towards a healthier, medication-free life.
We all want to live the best lives we possibly can, right? Absolutely. That is one of the reasons we avail ourselves of healthcare services. It is why people dealing with things like chronic pain and PTSD seek out specialists. That being the case, we encourage patients looking for a Utah Medical Card to work through a QMP specialty group to get it.
KindlyMD is the largest QMP specialty group in Utah. We have clinics in cities throughout northern Utah. Each one is staffed by caring and compassionate professionals who guide each patient through the Medical Card application and approval process. If you are looking to get your Medical Card, we can help.
State law allows most medical providers with prescribing authority to help patients obtain their Medical Cards. But QMPs are a bit different. We are licensed by the state to offer Medical Card services, giving us the legal authority to serve more patients in a given year. Not only that, obtaining a state license requires some continuing education.
A specialty group like ours invests a lot of time, money, and resources in making sure our staff are always up to date on all things Medical Card related. We make it our business to thoroughly know and understand all the relevant information so that we can work with you as your Medical Card advocate of sorts.
We think you will find that QMP specialty groups – and KindlyMD, in particular – offer caring and compassionate assistance to patients struggling with a variety of qualifying conditions. We believe compassion and supportive care are critical to helping patients lead their best lives.
We understand where you are coming from. While we cannot know the particulars of your condition without seeing you first, we do know that many of the conditions on the state's qualifying list can be very difficult to live with. Some can be debilitating even if the patient is taking advantage of the best care available.
Our main task as a caring and compassionate QMP specialty group is to work with each patient to explore all the treatment options for the sole purpose of discovering the best one. If a Utah Medical Card is the best choice for you, we can help you obtain it.
The Utah Medical Card is a state-issued card that gives patients access to certain plant-based medicines that are otherwise unavailable without. The medicines are an alternative to more traditional treatments you might have access to through your GP or family doctor.
Take note of the fact that the Medical Card isn't for everyone. More importantly, not everyone is eligible to get one. The Medical Card is for patients diagnosed with one of the qualifying conditions on the state list. In addition, a patient's medical provider must agree that plant-based medicines are an appropriate treatment for that individual.
Perhaps you are intrigued by what you've read in this post. You are thinking that a Medical Card might be right for you but are not sure what to do next. We make it easy. Getting started on your own Medical Card journey begins with making an appointment at any one of our clinics in Utah.
As the state's largest QMP specialty group, we make it our mission to help patients obtain Utah Medical Cards for access to plant-based medicines. We are also here to answer your questions, recommend other treatments, and medically assist you with whatever conditions you are dealing with. We believe you can feel better. You deserve that much.
As the largest QMP specialty group in the state, we firmly believe there is a lot more to the Utah Med Card than just getting access to plant-based medicines. A lot more. That is why we believe in the importance of following up with patient education. After the Med Card evaluation, patients benefit tremendously from learning all the ins and outs of plant-based treatments.
We consider education a big part of our role here at KindlyMD. We don't just want to help you get your Medical Card so we can move on. We are not interested in pushing you out the door as quickly as possible. Instead, we sincerely want you to make the most of the plant-based options we recommend. We genuinely want you to feel better. Patient education is a big part of it.
One of the first things you learn after obtaining a Med Card is that you have options. Plant-based medicines come in all shapes and sizes, so to speak. Different medicines do different things. Different products have different ingredients that may or may not help you.
How can you be expected to choose the right medicines without learning the basics? We educate patients about the different types of medicines available to them. We educate them about strains, varieties, etc.
One of the more striking differences between plant-based medicine and its pharmacological counterparts is the delivery method. Most prescription medications are taken orally. There are some exceptions, like inhalers for asthma and topical products for wounds, skin rashes, and the like. But most prescriptions come in the form of pills or liquids.
Plant-based medicines offer considerably more options. From oral ingestion and inhalation to topicals and tinctures, patients can choose from a variety of different delivery methods based on their unique needs and experiences.
You might find that one delivery method works extremely well during the day. At night though, you need a different delivery method to maximize a medicine's effectiveness. These are all the things you need to learn along your journey. We can help with a variety of educational resources and personal answers to your questions.
While a Utah Med Card opens the door to plant-based medicines, such medicines are not used as strictly as prescription medications. For starters, you ultimately determine your dosage based on recommendations from your medical provider. This is yet another area in which patient education is invaluable.
Here at KindlyMD, we want you to thoroughly understand your dosage options. We also want to work with you to figure out the best possible dosage for every plant-based medicine you choose. Finding the right dosage can maximize your medicines' effectiveness and save money at the same time.
If you are new to plant-based medicines and the Utah Med Card program, know that there is a lot to learn. You may feel overwhelmed at times. That is both normal and okay. We are here to help. Not only can we assist you in obtaining your Med Card, but we can also be your companion on the plant-based medicine journey.
After your Med Card evaluation comes patient education. Do not hesitate to ask your KindlyMD QMP any questions you might have. There truly is no such thing as a dumb question in the realm of plant-based medicines.
Along your journey, we will offer you a variety of educational resources designed to help you use plant-based medicines more effectively. Between those resources and answers to your questions, we want you to be fully informed so that you maintain control over your care.
Here at KindlyMD, we often say the Utah Med Card is an alternative to other types of treatments. We might recommend the card and its associated plant-based medicines to people suffering from chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, and other qualifying conditions. As an alternative, the Medical Card gives patients access to treatments they could otherwise not take advantage of.
All of that is well and good. Yet it doesn't change the fact that a lot of Utah residents are unfamiliar with the Medical Card and what it offers. Moreover, they don't know what it is an alternative to. That is the point of this post. A Utah Medical Card opens the door to plant-based medicines as an alternative to:
Western medicine is, by its very nature, rooted in pharmacology. This isn't necessarily a bad thing on its face. The pharmacological approach to medicine has accomplished great things over the years. But pharmacology is not the be-all and end-all. It doesn't have all the answers.
It is not uncommon for us to work with chronic pain patients who have been taking prescription medications for years. Not only do they not feel better, but they also have to live with the side effects of their medications. Plant-based medicines are an alternative. They can be a complete replacement for prescription medications or a supplement to them.
Physical therapy is routinely recommended to chronic pain patients. It can do wonders for some but absolutely nothing for others. There is really no way to know until you try it. But in cases where physical therapy is attempted in earnest without yielding the desired results, patients need other options.
Once again, the plant-based medicines available to patients with Utah Medical Cards are alternatives to physical therapy. When physical therapy only offers limited relief, plant-based medicines could be the best approach.
Western medicine often relies on invasive surgical procedures when prescription medications and physical therapy do not yield the desired results. Surgeries are considered a more aggressive approach to treatment, as well they should be. Examples include knee and hip replacements.
To be sure, there are times when surgery is the best possible option. Sometimes tissue breaks down to the point at which only surgery will allow continued function. But in the absence of absolute necessity, plant-based medicines could provide better pain management that ultimately mitigates the need for surgery.
This last option is something we see far too often here at KindlyMD. It is the option of just living with whatever condition is making you uncomfortable. Whether it is chronic pain or PTSD, choosing to suck it up and live with the consequences is not only unnecessary, but it's also unhealthy. The types of conditions that are treatable through plant-based medicine are such that they can affect other aspects of one's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Just living with it doesn't help.
An alternative is to apply for a Medical Card so that you can utilize plant-based medicines. More than one patient has come back to KindlyMD for a follow-up visit only to proclaim how much of a game-changer plant-based medicines have been. Such testimonies are heard in our offices all the time.
There's no way we can know if you'll find the relief that you're seeking through alternative treatments without conducting a medical evaluation. But we can tell you this: the Utah Medical Card, which offers access to plant-based medicines, is an alternative to prescription medications, physical therapy, invasive surgeries, and just living with your condition. Let us talk about it for you.
