About Us
The Carolina Center has been pioneering innovative healthcare since 1994. We utilize a combination of the most progressive alternative therapies, along with dietary and lifestyle modifications, to treat a wide variety of chronic illnesses and immune system dysfunctions. We also offer personalized health maintenance programs for people who are basically healthy. Click on one of the links below to find out more about our practice, approach, and policies.
Office Policies:
Our History
In 1993, the state of North Carolina opened the door to the legal practice of alternative health care by a medical physician when it added a statute to its laws giving physicians the right to explore ALL types of treatments in order to best serve the needs of their patients. This change in the lawhas made theCarolina Center possible.
The Carolina Center was founded by Dr. John Pittman, whose work in the emergency room setting led to his realization of how lifestyle issues, especially diet and nutrition, played significant roles in the health of patients. It was during this time that Dr. Pittman began exploring avenues of incorporating holistic medicine with nutrition into a clinical medical practice, and he began attending conferences and training courses in nutritional and metabolic medicine. He also began working with well known holistic physicians around the country, learning many things about healthcare that were not taught in school or residency. This intensive period of study culminated in the opening of the Carolina Center in 1994 as a facility in which multiple healing modalities could be brought together to help patients with chronic degenerative illnesses.
The Carolina Center operates as an outpatient treatment facility that accommodates patients who are experiencing a wide variety of medical conditions. We utilize a variety of complementary therapies to create an environment where cellular vitality and your wellness can be efficiently restored. We also offer a personalized health maintenance program that includes important information on detoxification, nutrition, supplements, and how to create a wellness program that works for you in your daily life.
Our Mission
Our mission at the Carolina Center is to assist our patients in regaining their health and maintaining good health throughout their lives. One of our primary methods of doing this is by studying and treating the body at the cellular and metabolic level. In addition, our hope is that we can raise awareness of other important issues, including nutrition and other lifestyle factors, which can play very important roles in any disease. We have witnessed our patients living healthier, happier, and more productive lives as a result of active participation in our programs.
Today, most healthcare authorities agree that if you do not actively participate in maintaining your health, it will deteriorate over time. We see our purpose as active intervention as we incorporate a more natural approach than most conventional treatment choices in an attempt to reverse this health decline. The sooner you begin participating in your own health management, the sooner you can begin to reverse your personal decline.
Our Healthcare Approach
Most diseases are worthy challengers. They do not reflect simple, one-dimensional problems. They require that you learn everything you can about them and make some lifestyle changes to give your body the tools necessary to heal. Today, we face a myriad of health problems virtually unheard of a few years ago. Even long-standing problems like cancer, heart disease, and arthritis are assailing us in ever-increasing numbers. People are developing degenerative illnesses at an earlier age, and diseases rarely seen in children or young adults are becoming much more prevalent. It is for this reason that emphasis should be placed on active intervention and prevention, as well as patient education. Our healthcare approach incorporates several steps in order to achieve optimum health and well being:
- Initial Assessment: Before beginning any treatment regimen, you will be scheduled for an initial evaluation with our medical director. This 90-minute evaluation will be very comprehensive and will consist of a thorough medical history, a comprehensive discussion regarding your current health situation, and a physical examination when warranted. It will also be your time to discuss your current health problems, as well as your treatment and management options.
- Diagnostic Evaluation: At the time of your initial evaluation, it will be recommended that you undergo specific laboratory testing to further determine your health situation. All of the labs that we utilize are very helpful in determining more about your overall health, including your immune system, your digestive system, any potential toxins that may be present, or the general nutritional status of your cells. Further treatment recommendations will be made based on the results of these tests.
- Treatment Programs: You may begin treatment after discussing your options with our healthcare team. We utilize a number of treatments designed to repair cellular damage, replace vitamin and mineral deficiencies, restore normal cellular functioning, treat bacterial, fungal, or viral infections, and improve nutritional status. You will have ample time to discuss these treatment options with the medical staff prior to initiation of any therapies.
Office Hours & Appointments
Our business office hours are:
| Monday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |
| Thursday | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Friday | * Closed |
| Saturday | * Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
* We are open for 1/2 day twice each month on Friday and 1/2 day twice each month on Saturday. Patients should call our office during our regular hours to request additional information about our services and to schedule appointments.
Consent Forms
The law in this state allows you the freedom to choose those medical therapies that you feel will be of the most benefit. After acceptance as a patient by the Carolina Center, and prior to beginning any treatments, you will be required to sign consent forms stating that you have been informed of the potential benefits and risks of the particular treatments that you are choosing to undergo. By signing these forms, you will allow us to carry out your right to these treatments.
Canceling & Rescheduling Appointments
Scheduled time with our professional staff is considered to be extremely valuable. They have set aside their time each day to be available for you. If you find it necessary to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please contact our front office as soon as possible. For scheduled office visit appointments, we require at least a 2 business days notice to avoid a $95 cancellation fee. If you fail to give this advance notice, we will bill you accordingly. In all fairness to our staff and other patients who may be on a waiting list for an open appointment, we ask that you respect this policy.
Billing Policy
Our office operates on a cash basis with payment for treatment being due on or before the time the service is provided. We accept Cash, Personal Check, American Express, Visa, or Master Card.
Medicare Reimbursement
The Carolina Center does not participate with Medicare. Our office has chosen to “opt out” of the Medicare program. Therefore, we will not file any charges with Medicare, and you cannot receive any reimbursement from Medicare for any charges incurred at the Carolina Center. Prior to undergoing any services at the Carolina Center, all Medicare patients must sign a contract acknowledging that no charges will be filed for them with Medicare, and that secondary insurance companies will most likely deny payment for all of our services as well. Several of the lab companies that we utilize do file with Medicare; therefore, Medicare may cover a portion of your lab charges if they are considered to be “medically necessary”. Please do not hesitate to contact our business office for questions regarding this important issue.
Insurance Reimbursement
The Carolina Center does not participate with insurance in any manner. We do not file charges directly with any insurance carrier. Patients will be provided with the itemized billing statement with the procedure code for all office visit charges for possible reimbursement from their insurance carrier. It is the patient’s responsibility to file charges with their insurance carrier directly.
