In 2023, Americans spent $4.9 trillion on healthcare, six times more than the national defense budget. Not surprising, given that my basic annual wellness check, which included just seven routine blood tests, racked up a $700 bill. My insurance covered only $224. I was left paying $346 out of pocket, and that’s with “premium” Cadillac coverage and an HSA.

Since publishing Part 1 of my Health Insurance Story in April 2025, I’ve taken a deeper dive into how our current system works (and doesn’t). Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Most annual labs are only covered if they’re on a narrow approved list. Anything beyond that? You’re paying cash. Who knew? 

• High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) act more like catastrophic insurance, but they allow you to contribute more to a Health Savings Account (HSA), which comes with significant tax advantages.

• Next year, I’ll run my own labs using a mobile phlebotomist who comes to my home (yes, really). I’ll evaluate my markers through a functional lens, not to diagnose illness, but to optimize health.

If you're generally healthy and interested in the same, check out my Catalyst Health Coaching (Tier 1) program, which includes blood work, a functional interpretation, and a personalized approach.

The Smoking Tooth

My curiosity about oral microbiome health began after watching "The Smoking Tooth," a short video about mercury vapor, produced by a doctor in San Diego. If you haven't seen it, it's haunting if you have old childhood dental fillings. I had four mercury fillings placed between the ages of 7 and 10. Have I been swallowing mercury vapor daily for decades?

Turns out, yes.

Heavy metals like mercury also tend to be stored in fat, and the brain, which consists of 60% fat, is located mere inches from our mouths. Mercury can block critical minerals from entering cells, impairing mitochondrial ATP production. And mitochondria? They’re involved in every disease process in the body because they create the energy of life!

The more I learned, the clearer it became: removing these fillings was no longer optional, particularly with my elevated thyroperoxidase antibodies and sluggish thyroid markers. I believe removing these mercury fillings was essential to my healing.

How I Chose the Right Dentist

I didn’t want to rely on my old dentist (he has a conventional practice). Instead, I spoke with my friend, Dr. Christie Martinez, DDS, who performs mercury filling removals every week. She’s experienced, warm, and understands the emotional side of healing. While she’s not a certified biological dentist, she explained her safety protocol: a vacuum placed inside the mouth, HEPA air filtration in each operating room, and protective measures for herself and her patients.

When Dr. Christie placed her hand gently on my arm as she was drilling my filling in half and asked, “Are you doing okay, Tay?”, I knew I was in the right place.

What It Cost—and What Insurance Covered

• X-rays, cleaning, and consultation – Fully covered by insurance

• Procedure #1 (right side) – $1,200 total | Insurance covered $860.40 | I paid $339.60

• Procedure #2 (left side) – $1,425 total | Insurance covered $800.60 | I paid $624.40

• Whitening – Declined in-office and purchased a $60 Snow Teeth Whitening Kit instead

• Ortho retainer – Planning to include in next year’s budget

Total cost covered by dental insurance: $2,000
Total paid from HSA: $964

My Dental Detox Protocol

Here’s how I supported my body before, during, and after mercury filling removal. Please always work with a qualified functional provider to personalize your protocol, especially when incorporating binders. 

✅ Nutritional Support (Start 1–2 Weeks Before Procedure)

• Vitamin C: 1,000–3,000 mg/day (liposomal if possible)

• Selenium: 100–200 mcg/day (or 3 Brazil nuts daily)

• Zinc: 20–30 mg/day

• Magnesium: 200–400 mg/day

• B-Complex: Methylated (e.g., Code Complex)

• Omega-3s: 1,000–1,500 mg/day

✅ Antioxidant & Detox Support

• Glutathione: 100–250 mg/day (liposomal or in Code Complex)

• NAC: 500 mg/day (if tolerated)

• Herbal liver support: Milk Thistle, Dandelion, Burdock (see Code Complex)

✅ Binders (use with supervision)

• Chlorella / Spirulina (see Code Complex)

• HM-ET (CellCore)

• GI Detox or UltraBinder

• PectaSol-C (Modified Citrus Pectin)
  (Take binders 2+ hours away from supplements/meds)

✅ Lymphatic & Nervous System Support

• Hydration: Half your body weight (in ounces) of hydrogen-rich water

• Gentle movement: walking, yoga, stretching

• Dry brushing or lymphatic massage

• Infrared sauna or Epsom salt bath with Borax & Bentonite Clay

• Breathwork, meditation, and HRV tools (like BrainTap)

🦷 Dental Procedure Day: What to Ask For

Ensure your provider follows safe removal practices:

• Rubber dam isolation

• Nasal oxygen mask

• Cold-water drilling

• Sectional removal technique

• External vacuum + high-volume suction

• Protective drapes & eyewear

• BPA-free, biocompatible fillings (e.g., Admira Fusion, GC, IAOMT/IABDM approved)

What I Did After (2–6 Weeks Post-Removal)

• Continue Vitamin C, selenium, glutathione

• Keep using binders under supervision

• Add trace minerals & electrolytes

• Daily probiotics

• Drainage: sauna, dry brushing, movement, detox baths

• Prioritize sleep + nervous system care (HRV, BrainTap, meditation)

⚠️ Every protocol should be customized. Please consult a functional practitioner before beginning detox support.

My Favorite HSA Hack

I use TrueMed to save up to 30% on supplements I already use. It's HSA/FSA-integrated and super easy to set up. Honestly, I received a Letter of Medical Necessity in 2 minutes. There are so many great products on this site, but three of them are in my Back to Best program. 1) GotMold? Testing 2) de-liver-ance liver elixir 3) Armra Colostrum. 

As of July 2025, Dr. Mehmet Oz is now the CMS director, and the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching is advocating for broader health insurance and HSA/FSA reimbursement for board-certified coaching. If you're ready to take a functional, empowered approach to health, you can now use your HSA/FSA for:

• 🧬 Catalyst Health Coaching (Tier 1)

• 🩺 Back to Best: Functional Case Review (Tier 2)

I’ll provide a superbill so you can request reimbursement.

Sources

• Levels: What Labs Are Covered by Insurance

• IAOMT (Biological Dentistry)

• NBHWC (National Board of Health & Wellnes Coaching) 

• Truemed

• Dr. Carnahan (2025)

• Dr. Christie Martinez and Walnut Avenue Dentistry in San Diego