Are you tired of surprise medical bills, high deductibles, and rushed doctor visits? Discover how Direct Primary Care is revolutionizing healthcare costs and patient experience in Brevard County and beyond.
If you’re like most Americans, healthcare costs have become a major source of financial stress. With insurance premiums continuing to rise and now averaging over $6,400 annually for individuals in 2025, many families are spending more on healthcare while receiving less personalized care than ever before.
But what if there was a better way? What if you could have unlimited access to your doctor, same-day appointments, and predictable healthcare costs – all for less than most people pay in insurance copays alone?
At AZ Health Solutions in Merritt Island, we’ve helped hundreds of Brevard County residents discover the financial and health benefits of Direct Primary Care (DPC). Today, we’re breaking down the real costs so you can make an informed decision about your family’s healthcare future.
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model that eliminates insurance companies from the doctor-patient relationship. Instead of billing insurance for each visit, DPC practices operate on a simple monthly membership fee – think of it as a gym membership for your health.
This isn’t a new concept that’s untested. The DPC model has experienced explosive growth, with over 2,060 DPC practices now operating across 48 states as of 2025. The market has grown from $65.61 billion in 2024 to $70.42 billion in 2025, representing a 7.3% annual growth rate as more patients and employers discover the benefits.
How DPC Works at AZ Health Solutions
For $99 per month, our DPC members receive:
- Unlimited office visits with no copays
- Direct access to Dr. Zawodniak via phone, text, and email
- Extended appointments (60 minutes for new patients, 30 minutes for follow-ups)
- Same-day or next-day appointments for urgent concerns
- Comprehensive annual wellness exams
- Basic procedures and diagnostic tests
- Chronic disease management
- Prescription guidance and wholesale medication access
The Hidden Costs of Traditional Insurance
When most people think about their healthcare costs, they focus on their monthly premium. But traditional insurance comes with numerous hidden expenses that can add up to thousands of dollars annually.
Breaking Down Traditional Insurance Costs in Florida (2025)
Based on current Florida health insurance data for 2025, here’s what the average individual pays:
Monthly Premiums
- Bronze Plan: $475/month ($5,700/year) – 7th highest in the nation
- Silver Plan: $618/month ($7,416/year)
- Gold Plan: $720/month ($8,640/year)
Annual Deductibles
- Bronze Plans: $6,500-$8,700
- Silver Plans: $3,500-$5,500
- Gold Plans: $1,800-$3,500
Per-Visit Costs (After Deductible)
- Primary Care Visit: $30-$60 copay
- Specialist Visit: $50-$90 copay
- Urgent Care: $85-$175 copay
- Emergency Room: $350-$600 copay
Additional Costs
- Prescription Medications: $15-$65+ per prescription
- Lab Tests: 20% coinsurance (typically $60-$250)
- Imaging: 20% coinsurance (typically $250-$900)
- Out-of-Network Penalties: 40-50% of costs
- Maximum Out-of-Pocket: $6,115 for individuals in 2025
The Real-World Impact
Let’s look at a typical scenario: Sarah, a 45-year-old professional in Melbourne, has a Silver plan with a $4,500 deductible. Here’s what she paid in 2025:
- Monthly premiums: $7,416
- Deductible (met in full): $4,500
- Copays for 8 visits: $400
- Prescription medications: $540
- Total Annual Cost: $12,856
And that’s for someone who stayed in-network and didn’t have any major health issues!
Direct Primary Care: Transparent Pricing
One of the biggest advantages of Direct Primary Care is pricing transparency. With traditional insurance, you never know what a visit will cost until you receive the bill weeks later. With DPC, you know exactly what you’re paying upfront.
AZ Health Solutions DPC Membership: $99/Month
What’s Included:
- Unlimited office visits – No copays, ever
- Direct physician access – Text, call, or email Dr. Zawodniak
- Extended appointment times – Never feel rushed
- Same-day appointments – Available when you need care
- Annual comprehensive physical
- Chronic disease management
- Basic procedures (sutures, injections, etc.)
- Care coordination with specialists
- Prescription guidance
- Health coaching and optimization
Additional Services at Wholesale Prices:
- Laboratory tests (typically 50-80% less than insurance rates)
- Basic imaging
- Prescription medications (often significantly discounted)
- Specialist referrals and coordination
Special Benefits for AZ Health Solutions Members
As a DPC member, you also receive:
- 10% discount on hormone replacement therapy (up to $99/month savings)
- Wholesale pricing on advanced testing (cardiovascular screening, hormone panels)
- Priority access to Dr. Zawodniak’s specialized services
- Telemedicine consultations at no additional cost
Real-World Cost Comparisons
Let’s compare the total annual costs for different scenarios to see how DPC stacks up against traditional insurance in 2025.
Scenario 1: Healthy Individual (2-3 doctor visits per year)
Traditional Insurance (Silver Plan):
- Annual premium: $7,416
- Deductible portion: $350 (visits before deductible met)
- Copays: $90
- Total: $7,856
AZ Health Solutions DPC:
- Annual membership: $1,188
- Additional costs: $0 (all visits included)
- Total: $1,188
- Annual Savings: $6,668
Scenario 2: Person with Chronic Condition (8-10 visits per year)
Traditional Insurance (Silver Plan):
- Annual premium: $7,416
- Deductible: $2,500 (partially met)
- Copays: $480
- Prescription costs: $720
- Total: $11,116
AZ Health Solutions DPC:
- Annual membership: $1,188
- Wholesale prescriptions: $240
- Additional testing: $350
- Total: $1,778
- Annual Savings: $9,338
Scenario 3: Family of Four
Traditional Insurance (Family Silver Plan):
- Annual premium: $22,000
- Family deductible: $9,000
- Copays and coinsurance: $1,800
- Total: $32,800
AZ Health Solutions DPC (2 adults + catastrophic insurance for children):
- DPC membership (2 adults): $2,376
- Catastrophic insurance for family: $7,200
- Additional services: $600
- Total: $10,176
- Annual Savings: $22,624
The Bottom Line
In every scenario we’ve analyzed for 2025, Direct Primary Care provides significant cost savings while delivering superior access and personalized care. The average family saves between $6,000-$22,000 annually by choosing DPC.
Beyond the Numbers: Value You Can’t Price
While the financial savings are compelling, the true value of Direct Primary Care extends far beyond dollars and cents. Here are the benefits that our Brevard County patients consistently tell us matter most:
Time and Accessibility
Traditional Insurance Reality:
- Average wait time for appointments: 20-28 days
- Average appointment length: 6-10 minutes
- Time to reach doctor with questions: 24-72 hours (if at all)
AZ Health Solutions DPC Experience:
- Average wait time for appointments: Same day or next day
- Average appointment length: 30-60 minutes
- Time to reach Dr. Zawodniak: Minutes during business hours
Quality of Care
When Dr. Zawodniak limits her patient panel to provide DPC-level care, she can:
- Remember your health history without constantly checking charts
- Identify patterns that might be missed in rushed visits
- Provide preventive guidance tailored to your specific risks
- Coordinate your care more effectively with specialists
- Build a relationship that improves health outcomes
Stress Reduction
Healthcare shouldn’t be a source of anxiety. DPC eliminates:
- Surprise medical bills
- Insurance authorization delays
- Uncertainty about costs
- Rushed, impersonal appointments
- Difficulty accessing your doctor
Who Benefits Most from Each Model?
Direct Primary Care is Ideal For:
Individuals and Families Who:
- Value building a relationship with their physician
- Want predictable, transparent healthcare costs
- Prefer proactive, preventive care
- Need frequent access to primary care
- Are frustrated with insurance limitations
- Want longer, unhurried appointments
- Have high-deductible insurance plans
- Are self-employed or between jobs
Specific Health Situations:
- Multiple chronic conditions requiring regular monitoring
- Interest in hormone optimization or specialized wellness services
- Need for frequent medication adjustments
- Preference for alternative approaches to health optimization
Traditional Insurance May Be Better For:
Individuals Who:
- Rarely need medical care
- Have employer-sponsored insurance with low out-of-pocket costs
- Require frequent specialist care or complex procedures
- Have serious chronic conditions requiring expensive treatments
- Prefer the security of catastrophic coverage built into their primary care
Making the Switch: What You Need to Know
Can I Keep My Insurance with DPC?
Yes! Most of our patients maintain a high-deductible health plan or catastrophic insurance for emergencies, specialist care, and hospital services. This hybrid approach provides:
- Primary care through DPC for day-to-day health needs
- Insurance coverage for major medical expenses
- Significant overall savings compared to comprehensive insurance
What About Specialist Care?
Dr. Zawodniak works closely with trusted specialists throughout Brevard County and Central Florida. As your DPC physician, she can:
- Provide detailed referrals that specialists appreciate
- Coordinate your care between providers
- Help you understand specialist recommendations
- Ensure continuity of care
Many specialists also offer cash-pay discounts that, combined with your DPC savings, often result in lower overall costs than traditional insurance.
The Transition Process
Step 1: Schedule a Meet & Greet
Meet with Dr. Zawodniak to discuss your health needs and how DPC can serve you better than traditional insurance.
Step 2: Evaluate Your Current Costs
We’ll help you calculate your actual annual healthcare spending and compare it to DPC membership costs.
Step 3: Plan Your Insurance Strategy
Determine whether to maintain catastrophic coverage or transition completely to DPC + high-deductible insurance.
Step 4: Begin Your Membership
Start enjoying immediate access to Dr. Zawodniak and the peace of mind that comes with transparent healthcare pricing.
Ready to Experience Healthcare That’s Actually About You?
The numbers don’t lie: Direct Primary Care offers superior value, access, and personalized attention compared to traditional insurance for primary care needs. When you add up the hidden costs of traditional insurance – the high deductibles, copays, surprise bills, and lost time – DPC becomes not just a better healthcare experience, but a smarter financial decision.
At AZ Health Solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how DPC transforms not just healthcare costs, but health outcomes. When patients have direct access to their physician, longer appointment times, and the security of transparent pricing, they take better care of themselves and catch problems before they become expensive emergencies.
Take the Next Step
If you’re ready to stop accepting less from your healthcare, we invite you to experience the Direct Primary Care difference. Dr. Ashley Zawodniak is currently accepting new DPC members in Brevard County and surrounding areas.
Don’t wait for the healthcare system to change. Change your healthcare today with Direct Primary Care at AZ Health Solutions.
About Dr. Ashley Zawodniak: Board-certified in Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, Dr. Zawodniak brings unique expertise from her nursing background, academic medicine experience, and service to military families at the VA Medical Center. She founded AZ Health Solutions to provide Brevard County residents with the accessible, personalized healthcare they deserve.
