Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Harold Altvater.
Dr. Altvater, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had attended medical school at the University of Vermont and completed my residency in Anesthesiology at Shands teaching hospital part of the University of Florida. Since 1999 I have been practicing Anesthesiology both as a provider and as a department leader. By the time 2010 income around I was burned out – bored – disenchanted with the state of medicine in terms of bureaucratic imposed standards of care that were completely unrelated to patient safety, politicians no expertise in the field deciding rates of reimbursement etc…
When 2012 came around I knew I wanted to be involved with something that was exciting and is fun is Anesthesiology was when I began my career. Having been there at the end of life for both my parents and my father-in-law I was dissatisfied with the limited help we can offer to those who are dying. I had read an introduction by Lester Greenspoon, MD in “The Pot Book” by Julie Holland a psychiatrist specializing in psychopharmacology. Dr. Greenspoon words resonated with me and his informed view about the benefits to be found with cannabis propelled me into opening the first Delta 9 Medical Consulting location in Methuen in February 2013.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
On 20 February 2013, my location in Malden was also opened. This was a difficult location because of the town of Malden using their town government imposed the statute (upon hearing that I was going to be practicing Cannabinoid Medicine) that prevented physicians from talking to patients about marijuana unless if their office was located in an industrial zone. Despite my office only being 750 ft.² and previously occupied by a physician the town’s fire department required multiple inspections and the building department stated that the striping of the medical buildings parking lot was not in compliance and therefore I could not open my office. Had it not been for the outstanding support of the American Civil Liberties Union I would have been likely bullied into not practicing in the town of Malden.
In the fall of 2013 Ronald Dunlap MD then President of the Massachusetts Medical Society in his “The President’s Podium: The Business of Medical Marijuana” made the following assertion “Entrepreneurs and physicians alike have established internet companies offering to match patients with doctors who will certify their need for medical marijuana. These companies will provide consultations and certifications – for fees ranging from a low of around $50 to upwards of $200. ….. I call internet opportunists are essentially getting a doctor or list of doctors they feel will certify patients, and simply inviting patients to pay them money as a finder’s fee.” In the original post by the Massachusetts Medical Society hotlinks were in place that directly took people to my website. At that time I was a member of Mass Medical Society – in fact, June of that year I was even featured in their viewpoints magazine. Here I was trying to set up the standards of care for new specialty and a society where 99% of their members at the time are against medical cannabis were trying to destroy my reputation. This was typical of resistance that I ran across in the early years of my practice.
From day one of Delta 9 Medical Consulting providing care to patients or evaluation program was consistent with patient evaluations that had been trained to do in medical school. The Department of Public Health here in Massachusetts had established a set of rules that delineated what was required of individuals who were performing these evaluations as physicians. Our practice standards were even higher than those imposed by the state. However, it became apparent that the DPH had no ability to enforce their standards and that many of my competitors were less than compliant with these basic guidelines. Thus my competitions bottom line was boosted by seeing as many patients in one hour as I could see an entire day. This is the same challenge that most business people must face from unfair competition. I chose to press ahead with our high standards and eventual was able to build a practice that is largely organic in sustainability.
Delta 9 Medical Consulting – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Delta 9 Medical Consulting was est. to evaluate patients for the medical cannabis program in the state of Massachusetts. Our valuation process is much the same as what a physician would do evaluating say – a pilot or long-haul trucker who wish to be certified with the regulatory agencies.
No prescriptions are written for medical cannabis per federal law. Instead, our patient’s information is entered into a state database where the come patient completes their portion of the application and they are provided with a medical cannabis card affording them the opportunity to use medical cannabis as a therapy per state law.
I am most proud of the fact that the care and attention the patient gets from being seen at Delta 9 Medical Consulting is among the highest standards found in the world. It would be safe to say less than 50 physicians worldwide take the same approach as we do to patient care and the development of a carefully crafted written care plan of a patient can refer to at any time.
Of course, it is extremely gratifying seeing the beneficial results that medical cannabis has been able to bestow upon my patients with very little if any negative side effects.
Unlike other medical practices, everything from booking appointments to patient follow-up and communication is handled by automated systems is much as possible. While some may find this unusual, it allows us to remain competitive in our pricing model and to spend time only on those individuals who are committed to Delta 9 Medical Consulting providing them their care.
Finally, every patient who I see is able to enjoy the company of my King Charles Cavalier Spaniel Katie. I have always felt that animals are essential to good health and the majority of my patients enjoy her company.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am quite proud of the fact that I have been so fortunate to have two careers in Medicine that I absolutely love Anesthesiology and now Cannabinoid medicine. There is nothing that is as rewarding as the satisfaction found in helping another person through a difficult period in their life whether it be in the operating room with someone from Lawrence who has a stab wound to the chest or taking care of an 87-year-old woman with severe rheumatoid arthritis and opiates who is seeking anything that will keep her from taking her life.
Pricing:
- The initial evaluation cost is $300.
- Follow-up visits are every six months for the first 18 months and are $100.
- Discounts of up to 30% are available for service connected disabled veterans.
- In-home cannabis cooking classes by a scientific expert in the field of gastronomic cannabis. $150
Contact Info:
- Address: Malden Location:
Malden Medical Professional Building
388 Pleasant St.
Suite 304
Malden, MA 02180Methuen Location:
Scott Professional Building
421 Merrimack St.
Suite 101B
Methuen MA 01844 - Website: www.d9medical.com
- Phone: 970 – 335 – 8290
- Email: Delta9MedicalConsulting@Gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Delta9MedicalConsulting/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/delta-9-medical-consulting-malden-3
- Other: http://www.d9medical.com/testimonials
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