It has been stated that U.S. health care is some of the most expensive in the world, and Healthy Horizons offers a solution.
Peggy Gatti, Healthy Horizons proprietor, has worked with Beebe Medical Center and still works at the Cape Henlopen Wellness Center, but now also is embarking on her own business.
“I had my own ideas,” said Gatti. “I wanted to be able to help people who are in a financial crunch.”
She said those without insurance tend to neglect their check-ups and regular visits to a clinic because they are expensive. “Oftentimes it is young adults who are thrown into the working pool that have a hard time meeting those costs,” Gatti said.
Because Gatti is a nurse practitioner and does not accept insurance at Healthy Horizons, she said her rates can be affordable. She said she also keeps track of free screenings and medical programs for her patients to avoid hefty testing fees.
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who have broad hands-on training and advanced education, both academic and clinical. These nurses are licensed to practice medicine and normally assist a physician with clients when the doctor is too busy to meet with them.
Gatti, as a nurse practitioner, has many of the same skills and privileges as a physician. Similar to a family doctor, she can treat 85 to 90 percent of illnesses and perform about half of the tasks of a regular physician. She can diagnose, manage common check-ups, prescribe medicine, handle bloodwork and provide numerous other services for patients. And for any care required that is beyond her scope, Gatti said, she can refer patients to the medical professional they need to see.
Gatti said there are differences in the way she approaches patients versus a doctor, however. She said nurses generally take more time to look at the whole picture when assessing a patient. “We are concerned with wellness and use more holistic care,” she said. “We touch on the social aspects of their life. Those that seek health care often have other issues.”
Gatti said these issues, whether stress or emotionally related, can directly and indirectly affect overall wellness. She said Healthy Horizons takes the “few extra minutes” to provide a more in-depth analysis with the patient.
It is another of Gatti’s goals to increase healthcare availability and accessibility in the local area. Her unique hours help to make this possible. Healthy Horizons’ regular office hours are Monday through Thursday evenings, and she is also available on weekends.
“Evening hours are needed for people. They are rare in this area, and working people don’t have time to take off to go to a healthcare provider,” said Gatti.
Gatti said she began her business in mid September 2005, but is just now beginning to become more widely known. She said the past month has been her busiest yet. Currently, it is solely Gatti running the Healthy Horizons, but she hopes to hire a receptionist and medical assistant. “I hope, once I build up clientele, to make this a full-time venture,” said Gatti.
Patients are seen by appointment only and Gatti said she can usually see people the same day they call or the following day. She said she also does home visits, depending on the needs of her patients. Peggy Gatti can be reached at: (302) 537-5609.