03 Oct The Great Medical Insurance Con: Why Telehealth Can Be Your New BFF with Katy Whalen
Are you tired of walking out of your doctor’s office feeling unheard, dismissed, and more confused than when you walked in? If you’re a woman in perimenopause or menopause, you’re probably nodding your head right now.
I’ve been exactly where you are. After years of navigating my own health challenges and hearing countless stories from women in my community, I knew I needed to have a different kind of conversation about midlife healthcare. That’s why I sat down with Katy Whalen, founder of Joi + Blokes, a telemedicine company specifically designed to support women through hormonal transitions.
What makes Katy’s perspective unique isn’t just that she founded a healthcare company – it’s that she’s a midlife woman walking through these exact struggles herself. Her story started with fertility challenges in her 30s and 40s, where she experienced incredible support and comprehensive testing. But after having her babies, she found herself abandoned by the healthcare system, dealing with brain fog, anxiety, weight gain, and exhaustion with nowhere to turn for help.
The Healthcare System Isn’t Broken – It’s Just Not Built for Us
Here’s what Katy discovered that changed everything: doctors aren’t intentionally dismissing us. The problem runs much deeper than individual physicians. Only one in five OBGYNs receives training in menopause, and even that training is often outdated.
Think about it – when you were trying to get pregnant or during pregnancy, you probably experienced thorough testing, regular monitoring, and comprehensive care. That system works because it’s well-established, well-funded, and has clear protocols. But when it comes to menopause and perimenopause, healthcare providers are working without a roadmap.
The contrast is stark. During fertility treatments, you might undergo extensive blood work, hormone monitoring, and multiple specialist consultations. But when you’re dealing with menopause symptoms, you’re often told “everything is normal” after a basic panel and sent on your way.
Why “Normal” Isn’t Good Enough
Let’s talk about that word “normal” – it might be the most frustrating word in healthcare. When your doctor says your hormone levels are “normal,” what they’re really saying is that you’re not dying. Normal doesn’t mean optimal. Normal doesn’t mean you feel good.
The ranges laboratories use are based on averages of people who often aren’t feeling their best either. When we’re talking about hormones, vitamin levels, and other biomarkers, there’s a huge difference between normal ranges and optimal ranges where you actually feel energized and vibrant.
Katy’s approach focuses on optimal ranges – levels where most people report feeling their best, having energy for their daily activities, and experiencing the vitality they deserve. It’s the difference between surviving and thriving.
The Personalized Approach to Hormone Health
One of the most refreshing aspects of my conversation with Katy was her acknowledgment that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. She shared a story about a close friend who swears that hormone pellets saved her life, even though Joi + Blokes doesn’t offer pellets due to their risk profile and telemedicine model.
Instead of judging or dismissing her friend’s experience, Katy celebrates what works for each individual woman. This is the kind of personalized, non-judgmental approach that’s been missing from women’s healthcare for too long.
The key is having access to comprehensive information about all your options, understanding the risks and benefits of each approach, and working with clinicians who can guide you through the decision-making process. And here’s the important part – you can change your mind and try different approaches as your body and needs evolve.
The Testing Revolution
Comprehensive lab testing forms the foundation of effective hormone therapy, but not all testing is created equal. While hormones do fluctuate, blood testing can still provide valuable insights when done properly and monitored consistently over time.
Joi + Blokes’ most basic panel includes 56 biomarkers, going far beyond just sex hormones to include thyroid function, liver enzymes, kidney health, and vitamin deficiencies. Their comprehensive panel tests 110 different markers. This isn’t just about hormones – it’s about understanding your complete health picture.
The reason for such extensive testing is simple: everything in your body is connected. You can’t optimize hormones without understanding thyroid function, gut health, inflammation markers, and nutrient status. When you combine comprehensive lab results with a detailed symptom assessment, you get a roadmap for personalized treatment.
Breaking Down the Peptide Confusion
Peptides have become a hot topic in midlife wellness, but there’s a lot of confusion and some concerning trends. Katy made an important distinction between research peptides (those labeled “not for human consumption” that you can buy online) and properly prescribed, pharmaceutical-grade peptides.
Research peptides aren’t regulated, tested for purity, or designed for human use. They’re literally labeled as not safe for consumption. Using these products is essentially gambling with your health and gives legitimate peptide therapy a bad reputation.
However, when prescribed and monitored by qualified healthcare providers, certain peptides including GLP-1 medications can be powerful tools. Joi + Blokes has been prescribing GLP-1s for four to five years, well before they became trendy for weight loss.
The key is working with providers who understand proper dosing, monitoring, and who pair peptide therapy with comprehensive lifestyle support including nutrition coaching and regular check-ins.
The Insurance Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About
Here’s where I need to share some tough love: insurance companies are businesses, not healthcare advocates. They’re focused on profit margins, not your optimal health. This creates a fundamental conflict between what you need and what they’re willing to cover.
Katy shared multiple examples of patients whose insurance companies promised to cover comprehensive testing, only to stick them with thousands in unexpected bills. Meanwhile, a cash-pay comprehensive panel might cost $250.
The insurance system is designed for crisis management – waiting until something is seriously wrong, then treating the disease. It’s not designed for preventive, optimal health, or the kind of comprehensive testing and monitoring that helps women thrive during hormonal transitions.
Consider this: if you add up what you’re paying in premiums, deductibles, and co-pays, you might find that paying directly for the healthcare you actually want costs less than fighting with insurance companies for subpar care.
The Future of Women’s Healthcare
What gives me hope about the future of women’s healthcare is the growing number of practitioners and companies who are specifically addressing the gaps in midlife care. Telemedicine has made it possible for women anywhere to access specialized hormone care, breaking down geographical barriers.
Katy’s vision for the future is simple but powerful: more access for more women. She wants women to have the information, education, and clinical support they need to have an energetic, joyful second half of life.
The movement toward personalized, comprehensive care is growing. More practitioners are getting specialized training in menopause and hormone therapy. Women are becoming better advocates for themselves and demanding better care.
Taking Action for Your Health
If you’re feeling frustrated with your current healthcare situation, here are the key things to look for when seeking better care:
Comprehensive Testing: Look for providers who test beyond basic hormone panels to understand your complete health picture.
Time and Attention: Seek out practitioners who give you adequate time to discuss your concerns and symptoms thoroughly.
Partnership Approach: Find clinicians who view you as a partner in your healthcare journey, not just a patient to manage.
Ongoing Monitoring: Choose providers who understand that hormone therapy requires regular monitoring and adjustments.
Education and Options: Work with practitioners who educate you about all your options and help you make informed decisions.
The path to feeling like yourself again isn’t always straightforward, but it starts with refusing to accept “normal” when you know you could feel so much better. You deserve healthcare providers who listen, who test comprehensively, and who partner with you to optimize your health.
Your midlife health journey doesn’t have to be about managing decline. With the right support, testing, and treatment approach, this can be the beginning of your most energetic and vibrant years yet.
Ready to explore comprehensive hormone testing and personalized care? Visit joiandblokes.com/nataliejill for 50% off lab testing and consultations with Katy’s team of specialized clinicians.
The contents of the Midlife Conversations podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider. Some episodes of Midlife Conversations may be sponsored by products or services discussed during the show. The host may receive compensation for such advertisements or if you purchase products through affiliate links mentioned on this podcast.
