FAQs

What is Lifestyle Medicine?

Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic intervention as a primary modality, delivered by clinicians, such as Dr. Béchamps, trained and certified in this specialty, to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease. The six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine are: optimal nutrition (food is medicine!), regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connections.

Is Lifestyle Medicine a different scope of practice from Conventional Medicine?

No, Lifestyle Medicine is actually the foundation of Conventional Medicine. Sometimes physical symptoms, mental health, lifestyle, hormones, metabolisms, medications, family history, and chronic conditions can all influence one another. Sometimes understanding what is happening requires enough time to listen carefully, ask better questions and see how the pieces fit together.

What is Culinary Medicine?

Culinary Medicine is a relatively new evidence-based field that blends the art of food and cooking with the science of medicine. This growing field explores the links between food and health and applying the foundations of nutritional science with traditional medical interventions in clinical care. Nutrition plays an indelible role in tackling obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as impacting self-care and well-being.

Dr. Bechamps is confidence in methods to:

  • Integrate nutritional counseling to supplement pharmacological treatment
  • Educate patients about weight loss and weight management
  • Develop practical examination-room dialogues that inspire behavioral change
  • Implement new strategies hand in hand with primary care

Are these visits covered by health insurance?

Dr. Béchamps participates in Medicare and most major medical plans. She will make a good faith and honest effort to obtain payment through your insurance plan for what is covered in your contract. However, if she does not participate in your plan or services provided are not covered by your plan, she will provide you with appropriate documentation to use your flex spending and health savings account cards. A fee schedule is available upon request.

How do I access my chart and health information?

Dr. Béchamps is considered a community physician. As such, she maintains an independent electronic health record with its own portal for her patients. She has admitting privileges at Winchester Medical Center and Augusta Health and can access your records contained in these larger health systems but they are not the same chart.

Can I reach Dr. Béchamps after hours?

Dr. Béchamps does not employ any staff, so she answers all her own phone calls. If you are an existing patient, you can message her through the patient portal or can reach her at 540-686-9550. If she does not answer the call or text immediately, she will return your call as soon as possible if a medical need or the next business day if a non-clinical, non time-sensitive issue. If she is out of town, she has arrangements with other community physicians for coverage.

How do I get a prescription refilled?

Please call your pharmacy of choice and have the request sent to Dr. Béchamps. You may also send a request through the patient portal if you are an established patients. Do not call for prescription refills by phone. If your prescription has expired or is a scheduled medication under the DEA, you will need to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Béchamps.

Can I see Dr. Béchamps if I already have a primary care doctor?

Yes. Dr. Béchamps does work as a primary care for some of her patients, but also sees patients specifically for weight loss and lifestyle interventions.

Do you offer programmed exercise and meal plans?

No. There is no “one size fits all” approach at Rx4Living or Rx4Phoenix. Because all patients are unique, Dr. Béchamps will guide you through intensive lifestyle modifications that are customized to your needs. In addition, the aim is not for you to follow an extreme program for a few weeks then revert to old habits when it ends, but for you to develop a new way of living that you can enjoy indefinitely.

How can I see Dr. Béchamps?

Services are by appointment only. Every attempt will be made to meet the needs of established patients in a timely matter, but walk-ins are not feasible. Please call listed phone numbers. Although Dr. Béchamps does maintain social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook, she cannot respond to any messages or requests in these forums due to the privacy limitations of social media.