Perez Health Coaching

A Fresh Look for Health Coaches

I want to encourage health coaches to approach the new administration with an open mind. There could be some real benefits coming our way from the policies ahead. I’ll admit, I’m picturing a specific type of health coach as I write this, but I genuinely believe all of us—regardless of our niche—stand to gain something here.

Streamlining Certification Standards

Most health coaches today either lack certification or hold one from a smaller organization. Public policy works best when the lines are clear. Take nurses and doctors, for example—they follow a single, national pathway to licensure. For health coaches, there’s the NBHWC, tied to the Medical Board, plus other national bodies like the ICF, ACE, and IIN.

Many of my colleagues are certified by groups outside health coaching, yet our work feels pretty similar. Health coaches typically team up with practitioners, while life coaches often lean toward corporate settings. Still, whether someone’s chasing a health goal after a diagnosis or a professional dream, our approach doesn’t change much.
To be clear, I don’t know of any major policies forcing a national certification. But it wouldn’t shock me if this administration nudged our industry toward clearer standards.

Health Workforce Evolution

The last administration, under Secretary Padilla, launched the HHS Health Workforce Initiative. It aimed to boost recruitment, retention, and growth—but mostly for mainstream roles like nurses and doctors. This time around, the focus is shifting to chronic disease, lifestyle changes, and less reliance on pharmaceuticals.

That’s where health coaches shine. Our knack for behavioral change could put us in the spotlight, and I’m excited to see how that might play out.

Transparent Pricing, Lower Costs

The administration recently pushed for more medical price transparency—great news for patients. Once they know their diagnosis, they can shop around for services. Over time, providers with the best outcomes might charge more, signaling to the industry what actually works to heal people.

Health coaches already tend to be upfront about pricing. Many of us even use a sliding scale, listing what our services are worth but accepting less when needed. Our field’s already market-driven—top coaches charge more, which pushes others to level up through training, mentoring, or better partnerships.

Boosting Treatment Success

Health coaching also cuts medical costs by improving treatment adherence. Say a client needs to stick to a diet and exercise plan to make their meds work— we’re there to help them follow through. Better yet, if they nail those lifestyle changes, they might ditch the drugs sooner. That means fewer expenses and no unwanted side effects.

Bright Days Ahead?

Look, as health coaches, we know change can go either way—sometimes it’s a win, sometimes it flops. I get why some in our field might feel skeptical about this administration. But like we tell our clients: you won’t know unless you give it a shot. My hope is this post highlights a few areas worth watching as things unfold.