As a parent in Brevard County, you’ve likely experienced the frustration of trying to coordinate healthcare for your entire family. Between insurance plans limitations, rushed appointments, and the challenge of finding quality care for both adults and children, managing your family’s health can feel overwhelming rather than nurturing.
What if there was a healthcare model that put your family first – where your children could receive the same compassionate, unhurried care that you deserve, all under one roof with transparent pricing and direct access to your primary care physician?
Direct primary care for families is transforming how Merritt Island households approach healthcare, offering a solution that addresses the unique healthcare needs of every family member while eliminating the barriers that traditional insurance-based medicine creates.
What is Family-Focused Direct Primary Care?
Family-focused direct primary care extends the DPC model’s benefits to every member of your household. Instead of navigating different insurance companies, copays, and provider limitations for each family member, direct primary care creates a unified healthcare experience where:
- One primary care physician knows your entire family’s health history
- Coordinated care addresses family health patterns and genetic considerations
- Children and adults receive the same level of personalized care
- Healthcare decisions are made as a family unit, not individual transactions
At AZ Health Solutions in Merritt Island, Dr. Ashley Zawodniak’s unique background combining nursing and internal medicine provides families with comprehensive primary care services that understands both pediatric needs and adult health optimization. This direct primary care practice offers a refreshing alternative to traditional healthcare, where families can access quality care without the hassles of insurance billing and prior authorizations.
The Family-Centered Approach
Unlike traditional medical practices where family members might see different providers across various locations, family direct primary care creates continuity of care that benefits everyone:
For Parents: Access to preventive medicine, hormone optimization, and chronic care management
For Children: Comprehensive pediatric care, school physicals, and developmental monitoring
For Teenagers: Confidential care for adolescent health concerns with family coordination when appropriate
For Extended Family: Coordination with existing specialists while providing accessible primary care services
The direct primary care model eliminates the frustration of insurance companies dictating your care. Instead of fighting for coverage or dealing with high deductible health plans, families enjoy unlimited access to their primary care provider through a simple monthly membership fee.
The Problems Brevard County Families Face with Traditional Healthcare
Fragmented Care Across Multiple DPC Providers
Brevard County families often find themselves managing healthcare across multiple medical practices:
- Pediatricians for children
- Internal medicine for adults
- Separate specialists for each family member
- Different insurance plans and requirements
- Inconsistent communication between healthcare providers
This fragmentation creates gaps in care where important family health patterns might be missed, and coordination becomes the family’s responsibility rather than the healthcare system’s. Traditional primary care practices often operate in silos, making it difficult to see the bigger picture of your family’s wellness.
Insurance Plans Barriers Affecting Family Care
Traditional insurance-based healthcare creates unique challenges for families seeking quality care:
High Deductible Health Plans: Families face $3,000-$8,000 deductibles before insurance coverage begins, making routine care expensive
Network Limitations: Children and parents may be forced to see different DPC providers based on insurance plans networks
Prior Authorization Delays: Critical treatments for family members delayed by insurance companies bureaucracy
Additional Fees Accumulation: With multiple family members, $25-$50 copays quickly add up to hundreds monthly
Many families discover that their health insurance plan doesn’t actually provide the affordable healthcare they expected. The monthly membership fee model of direct primary care often proves more cost-effective than traditional insurance for primary care services.
Time Constraints Impacting Family Health
The reality of modern family life makes traditional healthcare challenging:
- Parents taking time off work for multiple family appointments
- Children missing school for rushed medical visits
- Weekend and evening health concerns with no accessible primary care provider
- Difficulty coordinating care for family members with different schedules
The Emotional Toll on Families
When healthcare becomes a source of stress rather than support, it affects the entire family:
- Parents feel guilty about not providing adequate healthcare due to cost or access barriers
- Children develop anxiety around medical visits due to rushed, impersonal experiences
- Families postpone preventive care due to logistical challenges and costs
- Health concerns create family tension when care coordination becomes overwhelming
How DPC Benefits Every Family Member
Comprehensive Primary Care Services for All Ages
Direct primary care for families means one primary care physician who understands your family’s complete health picture. This innovative approach to healthcare provides numerous benefits that traditional insurance-based care simply cannot match.
Pediatric and Adolescent Care:
- School and sports physicals
- Immunization management and care visits for routine vaccines
- Developmental monitoring and wellness checks
- Acute illness treatment and urgent care
- Adolescent health counseling with appropriate confidentiality
- Learning disability assessments and coordination
Adult Primary Care Services:
- Preventive medicine and comprehensive health screenings
- Chronic care management for conditions like diabetes and hypertension
- Hormone optimization consultations for better health outcomes
- Cardiovascular risk assessment and ongoing monitoring
- Mental health support and counseling
- Women’s health services including annual exams
Family Health Coordination:
- Genetic risk factor assessment across family members
- Coordinated preventive care schedules for optimal wellness
- Family lifestyle and nutrition counseling tailored to your needs
- Environmental health considerations for your Merritt Island home
- Emergency care coordination and after-hours guidance
Direct Access Benefits for Families
When any family member needs medical attention, direct primary care provides immediate support that traditional healthcare simply cannot offer:
Immediate Communication: Text or call Dr. Zawodniak directly during business hours – no phone trees or call centers
Same-Day Appointments: Urgent concerns addressed quickly without emergency room visits
Extended Visit Times: 60-minute new patient appointments and 30-minute follow-ups allow thorough evaluation
After-Hours Guidance: Professional medical advice for urgent concerns outside office hours
This level of direct access means parents can get quick answers about their child’s fever at 7 PM or discuss concerning symptoms without waiting days for an appointment. The monthly membership covers these communications, making healthcare truly accessible when you need it most.
Preventive Care Focus
Family direct primary care emphasizes keeping everyone healthy rather than just treating illness:
- Age-appropriate screening schedules for all family members based on current medical guidelines
- Family nutrition and lifestyle counseling addressing Brevard County’s climate and lifestyle factors
- Coordinated immunization management ensuring everyone stays current with recommended vaccines
- Early intervention strategies for developing health concerns before they become serious
- Family fitness and wellness planning incorporating local recreational opportunities across central Florida
The DPC model allows your primary care physician to spend adequate time on preventive care that insurance companies often don’t adequately reimburse in traditional practices.
Family Membership Options and Considerations
Understanding Family DPC Pricing Models
While individual DPC membership typically costs $99 per month for adults 18+, family options require careful consideration of your household’s specific healthcare needs:
Individual DPC Membership per Family Member:
- Adults 18+: $99 monthly membership fee each
- Adolescents and children: Pricing varies by DPC practice and age
- Family coordination included in membership benefits at no additional fees
- Unlimited access to primary care services for all members
Potential Family Discounts:
- Many DPC practices offer discounted rates for additional family members
- Corporate family plans may be available for qualifying employers
- Multi-member discounts help make family care more affordable
- Some DPC providers offer flat monthly fee structures for entire families
Cost Comparison for Brevard County Families:
Traditional Family Healthcare Annual Costs:
- Family health insurance plan premiums: $8,000-$15,000
- Family deductible requirements: $3,000-$10,000
- Copays for family care visits: $600-$1,200
- Total: $11,600-$26,200
Family DPC Estimated Annual Costs:
- 2 adults + 2 children monthly membership: $3,000-$4,500
- Wholesale laboratory and medication costs at discounted rates
- No copays, deductibles, or additional fees for visits
- Total: $3,000-$5,000 including comprehensive care services
What’s Included in Family DPC Membership
Comprehensive Primary Care Services for All Family Members:
- Unlimited office visits for all ages and health concerns
- Annual physicals and wellness exams for preventive care
- Acute illness treatment and urgent care for immediate needs
- Chronic care management across family members
- Immunizations and preventive care services
- Basic procedures and minor emergency care
- Care coordination with specialists when needed
- Direct access to your primary care physician for all family members
Additional Services at Wholesale Pricing:
- Laboratory tests and diagnostic studies at cost
- Prescription medications without insurance markup
- Imaging studies when necessary for diagnosis
- Specialist referrals and coordination of care
- Telemedicine consultations for convenience
The membership covers the relationship with your doctor, ensuring you receive personalized care that focuses on your family’s unique health goals rather than insurance company requirements.
Coordinated Care for All Ages
Pediatric Care Within the Family DPC Model
Dr. Zawodniak’s nursing background provides unique insight into pediatric care within the family context. Her experience in family medicine ensures that children receive comprehensive care that considers their development within the family unit.
Comprehensive Child Health Services:
- Well-child visits following American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines
- Developmental milestone monitoring and early intervention
- Behavioral and learning assessments with family involvement
- Nutrition counseling for growing children and adolescents
- Sports medicine and injury prevention for active kids
- Adolescent health with appropriate confidentiality balance
Family-Centered Pediatric Approach:
- Parents remain integral to healthcare decisions and care planning
- Sibling health patterns considered in treatment plans
- Family lifestyle factors incorporated into care recommendations
- Coordination with school health requirements and documentation
- Emergency care planning for parents and caregivers
- Sick visits handled promptly without insurance barriers
Adult Primary Care Coordination
For parents and adult family members, direct primary care provides comprehensive services that traditional practices often rush through:
Preventive Medicine Focus:
- Cardiovascular screening and risk assessment based on family history
- Cancer prevention and early detection through appropriate screening
- Hormone optimization for energy and wellness enhancement
- Mental health support and stress management counseling
- Chronic care prevention strategies tailored to your family’s risk factors
Parental Health Considerations:
- Managing health while caring for family members
- Stress-related health concerns and their impact on family dynamics
- Work-life balance impact on health and wellness
- Modeling healthy behaviors for children through example
- Coordinating care around family schedules and commitments
Multi-Generational Care Coordination
When grandparents or extended family are involved in your healthcare plan:
- Medication management across multiple family members to prevent interactions
- Emergency contact coordination for all family members in crisis situations
- Health information sharing with appropriate family members when authorized
- Care transition planning for aging family members requiring additional support
- Genetic counseling for inherited health conditions affecting multiple generations
The direct primary care model excels at this type of comprehensive family coordination because your DPC physician has the time and incentive to understand your family’s complete health picture.
Cost Considerations for Families
Breaking Down Family Healthcare Costs
Traditional Health Insurance Plan Hidden Costs:
- Lost wages from multiple medical appointments during work hours
- Emergency room visits due to poor primary care access after hours
- Prescription costs with insurance plan formulary limitations and high copays
- Specialist copays and additional testing fees not covered by insurance
- Travel costs for multiple provider locations across Brevard County
DPC Model Transparent Costs:
- Fixed monthly membership fee with predictable budgeting
- Wholesale pricing on medications and lab tests at actual cost
- Reduced emergency care needs due to better access to primary care
- Single location for family care reducing travel and time costs
- Predictable annual healthcare budget without surprise bills
Financial Planning for Family DPC
Budgeting Strategies:
- Health savings account compatibility allows tax-advantaged healthcare savings
- Predictable monthly costs simplify family budgeting and financial planning
- Reduced health insurance plan premiums when DPC replaces traditional primary care
- Corporate wellness programs may offer family DPC benefits as employee perks
Return on Investment Considerations:
- Time savings: Fewer appointments, less travel, more efficient care delivery
- Better health outcomes: Improved preventive care and early intervention
- Family stress reduction: Simplified healthcare management and coordination
- Long-term cost savings: Prevention-focused care reduces future medical expenses
Health Insurance Plan and DPC: Making Them Work Together
Complementary Coverage Options:
- High-deductible health plans for catastrophic coverage and major medical needs
- Specialist and hospital coverage through traditional insurance plans
- Direct primary care for routine care with insurance for emergency services
- Transparent pricing allows informed healthcare decisions without prior authorization hassles
Many families find that combining a high-deductible health plan with direct primary care membership provides comprehensive coverage at a lower total cost than traditional insurance plans alone.
Making the Decision: Is Family DPC Right for You?
Families Who Benefit Most from Direct Primary Care
Ideal Family Candidates:
- Busy parents needing convenient, accessible healthcare without insurance hassles
- Families with chronic conditions requiring regular monitoring and ongoing care
- Health-conscious families prioritizing preventive care and wellness optimization
- Families frustrated with insurance plan limitations and bureaucratic barriers
- Military families appreciating direct, efficient communication and care coordination
- Families with teenagers needing confidential yet coordinated healthcare services
Questions to Consider
Family Health Assessment:
- How often do family members need medical care annually?
- Are you satisfied with current provider access and communication quality?
- Do insurance plan limitations affect your family’s healthcare decisions?
- Would direct access to your primary care physician improve your family’s health management?
- Is coordinated care important for your family’s long-term health goals?
Financial Readiness Evaluation:
- What are your current annual healthcare costs including premiums, deductibles, and copays?
- Would predictable monthly costs improve your family budgeting and financial planning?
- Do you have health savings account or flexible spending account options available?
- How much value do you place on time savings and convenience in healthcare?
Addressing Common Family DPC Concerns
“What if my child needs specialized care or imaging?”
DPC physicians coordinate with pediatric specialists while maintaining primary care relationships. Dr. Zawodniak’s experience ensures appropriate referrals and continued coordination throughout your child’s treatment.
“How does this work with our current health insurance plan?”
Direct primary care can complement high-deductible health plans, providing primary care services while maintaining coverage for specialists, emergency services, and major medical needs.
“What about emergency situations and urgent care needs?”
DPC provides after-hours guidance and coordinates emergency care when necessary, often preventing unnecessary emergency room visits through direct communication with your primary care physician.
Your Family’s Journey to Better Healthcare
Step 1: Schedule a Family Consultation
Begin with a no-obligation consultation where Dr. Zawodniak will discuss:
- Your family’s current healthcare challenges and wellness goals
- How direct primary care works for families of all sizes
- DPC membership options and pricing for your family size
- Coordination with existing specialists and insurance coverage
Step 2: Family Health Assessment
Each family member receives comprehensive evaluation:
- Individual health assessments appropriate for age and development
- Family health history and genetic risk factor review
- Coordinated care plan development for optimal wellness
- Direct contact information for ongoing access to care
- Integration with existing healthcare providers when necessary
Step 3: Experience Coordinated Family Care
As active DPC members, your family enjoys:
- Direct access to Dr. Zawodniak for any family member’s health concerns
- Coordinated appointment scheduling for convenience and efficiency
- Family health education and preventive care planning
- Seamless communication about family health concerns and updates
- Partnership in your family’s wellness journey and health optimization
Why Choose AZ Health Solutions for Family DPC
Dr. Zawodniak’s Family-Focused Expertise:
- Nursing background provides deep understanding of family dynamics and patient education
- Internal medicine specialization offers comprehensive adult and adolescent care services
- Academic medicine experience ensures evidence-based, current medical practices
- Military family understanding from VA Medical Center experience serving diverse families
- Quality improvement focus emphasizes coordinated, efficient care delivery
DPC Practice Advantages for Families:
- Convenient Merritt Island location at 300 Fortenberry Road serving all of Brevard County
- Team approach with Jessica Berry, RN, BSN supporting comprehensive family care
- Technology integration for secure family communication and health tracking
- Community commitment to serving Brevard County families across central Florida
- Faith-informed care honoring whole-family wellness and values
Taking the Next Step
Ready to transform your family’s healthcare experience? Your journey to coordinated, accessible family care starts with one conversation about how direct primary care can benefit your unique situation.
Schedule your family’s Meet & Greet consultation to discover how direct primary care can simplify your healthcare while improving your family’s health outcomes and overall wellness.
