I am now offering science-based care for those directly affected by the Covid-19 virus.  By using rational and scientifically grounded research and resulting guidelines from the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC Alliance), I am offering treatments to aid the immune response in fighting acute Covid-19 infection and treat the post-covid “long-haul” symptoms.  Please note, there is no direct treatment for the Covid-19 virus (other than the government’s promoting of the very expensive monoclonal antibodies) and what I offer does not directly treat the Covid virus.  Rather, I offer treatment based on the FLCCC Alliance’s guidance to help your immune system respond effectively to the Covid virus and increase your odds of successively fending off the infection and recovering as quickly as possible from the long-haul symptoms.

Here are the things I now offer:

• • 1. Prevention Protocol.  If you have not had the Covid infection and want to do what you can to lower your chances of getting it, or if you have just been exposed to someone with Covid, then it is key to boost your immune system.  I recommend taking certain supplements and vitamins to keep your immune system working at its best.  These supplements are at the top of the first page of the FLCCC’s chart; distributing this information is important and you don’t have to be a patient of mine to look this over or use the supplements in the chart:

I-MASK+ Prophylaxis & Early Outpatient Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 [v18 – updated October 12, 2021] (covid19criticalcare.com)

Ivermectin, which is a prescription medicine, can also be used twice a week in the prevention protocol.  I can prescribe this medicine as part of my service.  If you want to just use the vitamins and supplements and save yourself a doctor’s visit, then check out the supplement list.  I am certified with the Institute for Functional Medicine and am a strong believer in doing what you can to keep yourself healthy.  The supplements and vitamins are generally available at your local health food store, and I offer my enrolled patients access to an online company that deals directly with the vitamin and supplement manufacturers.  This company is Fullscript, and they have a huge online catalog of high-quality supplements and vitamins.  I don’t make any money from patients or Fullscript by using this company, and it is completely voluntary for patients to use.  I also set the maximum discount for patients so you will receive the best price.

• • 2. Pre- and post-vaccination protocol – if you are planning on getting the covid immunization, then there are supplements you can take to help counter the side effects that are often associated with getting shots.  If you are interested in this list, please feel free to email me at drscott@cornerstonedpc.com.  I will be happy to email you the list, and you don’t have to become a patient or pay anything for this supplement list.  There are no obligations, and I won’t spam you.

• • 3. Long-haul Covid Protocol – In patients who have had the infection and have recovered from the acute infection, a certain number will develop persistent symptoms that were not present before they came down with the Covid.  Such symptoms include .debilitating fatigue, depression, brain fog, shortness of breath, loss of the senses of taste and smell, heart rate abnormalities, and others.  There are even some people who never had the Covid infection but got the vaccines and ended up with these long-haul symptoms.  This severity of this syndrome does not seem to be related to how severe the acute Covid infection was.  Some people have very mild symptoms with the acute infection but go on to have significant long-haul symptoms.  Additionally, the reason for adding the Covid immunization as a factor for the long-haul syndrome is because of a likely reaction to the virus spike proteins.  Fortunately, getting the long-haul syndrome from the immunizations is very rare.

The treatment for long-haul Covid syndrome also consists of very particular vitamins and supplements to help optimize the immune system functioning.  These can be found at your local health food store, and I will make available to patients enrolled in my service access to Fullscript (as described in the Prevention Protocol).  Additionally, there are prescription medications that have been shown to provide antiviral activity and anti-inflammatory activity against the viral infection.  These medications include Ivermectin (antiviral activity), prednisone (anti-inflammatory activity), fluvoxamine (to help with neurological symptoms), and others.  My long-haul Covid treatment protocol comes directly from the guidelines of the FLCCC Alliance:

I-RECOVER | Management Protocol for Long Haul COVID-19 Syndrome (version 1, June 16, 2021) (vestibular.org)

These treatment services are a result of realizing that we have many more problems with Covid that extend beyond the acute infection,

the lack of any long-haul treatment options from the governmental bodies addressing the Covid response, and the lack understanding in the global medical community of the need to do something to treat ongoing symptoms post Covid (besides telling patients it is “all in their heads”). 

I feel the FLCCC Alliance’s guidelines are based on solid science and that the treatments are both safe and effective.  I am happy to see that the FLCCC understands and promotes the value of good nutritional support in fighting the Covid scourge.  Doctors really need to do a better job of embracing the importance of good lifestyle choices in staying healthy and recovering from challenging illnesses and improving chronic conditions.  We are trained with the “pill for every ill” approach, which has failed to do a very good job of helping patients be healthy. 

Covid-19 vaccinations

I think it is fair to say that the issue of Covid immunizations has been polarizing.  Many people feel that the Covid shots are safe and effective, while many others are concerned about them, and for various reasons.  I see both sides and want to support patients, no matter if their choice is to get the Covid immunization or to not.  I did get the J&J shot in September 2021; I was trying to hold out until Novavax made available their immunization (which I feel is safer) but decided to go with the J&J for now.  I do think the Covid shots may have helped to slow down this pandemic, but I believe there is more to protecting yourself from not only this virus, but many others.  The most crucial are obviously diet, exercise and sleep.

Here are the specifics:

• 1. If you are interested in these services, please email me at drscott@cornerstonedpc.com and let me know which protocol you are interested in (Prevention Protocol, Pre- and Post-vaccination Protocol, or the Long-haul Protocol).  I have a primary care practice that utilizes online registration you will need to use, but I will need to know beforehand that you are seeking Covid-related care so that I can bill you appropriately and send you a Covid-specific questionnaire.  We can also talk on the phone if you have any questions about the treatment protocols and to make my protocols be of benefit to you.  I will also send you a patient care agreement form to be signed electronically and information on informed consent that we will discuss during the face-to-face visit. 
  2. After this has been completed, we can schedule the office visit.  I understand the need to be seen urgently (especially for the Prevention protocol) and I will be able to see you quickly.
  3. The initial visit has to be an in-person face-to-face visit (my office is in Effingham, IL).  I know there are providers offering pure telemedicine for Covid-related treatments, but I am old school and was taught to properly document care of my patients by taking the time to talk with them directly and performing a physical exam.  There is enough enhanced scrutiny of providers offering anything other than the government-backed recommendation of getting Covid vaccinations that I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize my ability to offer care for those affected by the Covid situation.  I need to record vital signs and listen to the patient’s heart and lungs and record other vital parts of the physical exam.  I will also discuss the informed consent form and then send it to you to collect your electronic signature.  The gathering of most of the medical history and subsequent care can be provided over the phone or through video technology before and after the face-to-face visit.  You still might need to be seen in-person after the initial face-to-face visit if you are not responding as expected or if new problems arise related to the Covid situation (additional face-to-face visits are included in the cost).   The goal is to do what is best for you and provide the best quality medical care, which is what physicians should be aiming for.
  4. My practice is based on dealing directly with the patient, and I do not participate or bill any insurance companies or third parties for the care I provide.  I am currently a contracted provider for Medicare, which means I cannot see anyone with Medicare and bill them for these Covid protocols.  I am sorry about this, but doctors can get in very hot water by going behind Medicare’s back.  The cost for my Covid-related treatment is $125 per month and includes the initial face-to-face office visit, the discussion of using supplements/vitamins and any prescription medications, and any follow up in-office visits or video chats/phone visits.  If your symptoms resolve or improve to the point that you feel medical intervention is no longer needed and my services are no longer needed, then let me know and I will make sure you are not charged any further monthly fees.  I will be available after hours via email/text if you have a pressing need related to the treatment protocol.  For this service, I will not be replacing or serving as your primary care provider, and I will be happy to provide office notes to your primary care provider if you wish.  I do offer family medicine care through my direct primary care monthly membership – please check out the rest of my website and let me know if this something you have an interest in.  When you register online as a new patient, the last page will ask for your credit/debit card information.  It is set up to bill for my monthly direct primary care membership, but I will make sure that it is properly programmed to bill you for the Covid-related care service.
  5. The prescription medicines are common ones that should be easily obtained at your local pharmacy.  I can order the medicines (based on availability) in bulk and dispense them in my office.  The cost of the medicine would be passed on to you without any markup.  For example, I might be able to dispense Ivermectin at a competitive price if you are having problems getting the medicine through your pharmacy.  Some insurance companies will refuse or restrict the coverage for these medicines; the way to get around that is to leave them out of the process and just pay cash for the prescription medicines.  I recommend using an independent hometown pharmacy if possible – support your local mom and pop pharmacies!