Discover why Brevard County residents are choosing Direct Primary Care over traditional healthcare – and how this revolutionary model transforms your relationship with medicine.
If you’ve been frustrated with rushed doctor visits, endless insurance hassles, and feeling like just another number in the healthcare system, you’re not alone. Thousands of patients across Merritt Island and Brevard County are discovering a better way to receive medical care through Direct Primary Care (DPC) – but many still wonder: what makes direct primary care different from the traditional healthcare model they’ve always known?
The answer lies in a fundamental shift that puts you, the patient, back at the center of your healthcare experience. At AZ Health Solutions in Merritt Island, we’ve witnessed firsthand how Direct Primary Care transforms not just health outcomes, but the entire patient experience.
The Core Difference: Removing the Insurance Middleman
The fundamental difference between direct primary care and traditional healthcare: No insurance companies dictating your care.
In traditional primary care, three parties are involved in every medical decision: you, your doctor, and your insurance company. Unfortunately, health insurance companies often have the final say on what treatments you can receive, how long your appointments can last, and even which medications you can access.
Direct primary care eliminates this third party entirely. When you become a DPC member at a practice like AZ Health Solutions, you pay a monthly fee directly to your primary care physician. This creates a direct relationship between you and your doctor – the way healthcare was originally intended to work.
What This Means for Your Primary Care Services
Immediate Benefits:
- No prior authorizations for treatments your primary care doctor recommends
- No claim denials for necessary care
- No network restrictions limiting your options
- No surprise bills months after your visit
- No fighting with insurance companies over coverage
Long-term Impact:
- Your primary care physician can focus on your health, not insurance requirements
- Treatment decisions based on medical necessity, not cost to health insurance
- Consistent care without interruption due to insurance plans changes
- Building a genuine doctor and patient relationship over time
The DPC model operates on a membership-based system where patient pays a flat monthly fee for comprehensive primary care services. This membership fee covers routine primary care needs without the complexity of traditional insurance billing.
Time and Access: What DPC Really Means for You
One of the most striking advantages of direct primary care compared to traditional care is the time factor. In conventional practices, doctors must see 25-35 patients daily to meet insurance reimbursement requirements. This creates the infamous “7-minute visit” that leaves both patients and physicians frustrated.
The DPC Time Advantage
Extended Appointments:
- New patient visits: 60 minutes (vs. 15 minutes in traditional primary care practices)
- Follow-up appointments: 30 minutes (vs. 7-10 minutes typically)
- Enough time to discuss all your care needs thoroughly
- No rushing through complex health issues
Direct Access to Your Primary Care Provider:
- Text, call, or email Dr. Zawodniak directly during business hours
- Same-day or next-day appointments for urgent concerns
- No more waiting weeks for routine visits
- No more playing phone tag through office staff
Transparent Pricing vs. Hidden Healthcare Costs
Healthcare pricing in America has become notoriously opaque. Even with health insurance, patients often have no idea what they’ll owe until bills arrive weeks or months later. Deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-network charges create a maze of unpredictable costs.
DPC’s Transparent Approach
Simple Monthly Membership Fee:
- Adults 18+: $99/month at AZ Health Solutions
- No enrollment fees or hidden costs
- No per-visit charges
- No surprise bills
What’s Included in Your DPC Membership:
✓ Unlimited office visits
✓ Direct physician access via phone, text, and email
✓ Extended appointment times
✓ Annual wellness exams
✓ Chronic disease management
✓ Acute illness treatment
✓ Basic procedures (sutures, injections, etc.)
✓ Care coordination with specialists
✓ After-hours guidance for urgent concerns
Cost Comparison Reality Check
Traditional Healthcare Annual Costs (Brevard County Average):
- Insurance premiums: $4,800-$8,400
- Deductible: $1,500-$6,000
- Copays (12 visits): $360-$720
- Total: $6,660-$15,120
AZ Health Solutions DPC:
- Monthly membership: $1,188/year
- No copays or deductibles for covered services
- Wholesale pricing on additional services
- Total: $1,188 + wholesale services
The fee-for-service model in traditional healthcare often leads to unnecessary procedures and tests to maximize revenue. DPC physicians, paid through membership fees, focus on what’s best for the patient rather than what generates the most billing.
The Relationship Factor: Your Doctor Actually Knows You
In traditional primary care, the pressure to see maximum patients often means physicians struggle to remember details about individual patients. You might see different providers at each visit, repeat your medical history multiple times, and feel like you’re starting from scratch each appointment.
Building Genuine Doctor-Patient Relationships
Continuity of Care:
- You see the same primary care physician every visit
- Dr. Zawodniak remembers your health goals and concerns
- Consistent approach to your ongoing health management
- Personal connection that improves health outcomes
Comprehensive Understanding:
- Time to discuss your lifestyle, work stress, and family concerns
- Understanding how all aspects of your life affect your health
- Personalized recommendations based on your specific situation
- Collaborative approach to healthcare decisions
Dr. Zawodniak’s Unique Perspective
Dr. Ashley Zawodniak brings a distinctive background to Direct Primary Care that enhances the patient relationship:
Dual Healthcare Perspective: With experience as both a registered nurse and physician, Dr. Zawodniak understands healthcare from multiple viewpoints – providing more comprehensive, empathetic care.
Academic Excellence: As a former Assistant Professor of Medicine and Fellow of the American College of Physicians, she combines cutting-edge medical knowledge with personal attention.
Quality Improvement Focus: Her background in healthcare quality improvement means she’s constantly refining processes to better serve patients.
Military Family Understanding: Experience at the VA Medical Center provides special insight into the needs of military families and those who value efficient, direct communication.
DPC physicians typically spend 60% more time with patients compared to traditional primary care providers, allowing for deeper relationships and better understanding of each patient’s unique health needs.
Preventive Focus vs. Reactive Care
Traditional healthcare often operates on a reactive model – you get sick, you seek care, you get treated, then you leave until the next problem arises. Health insurance companies typically only pay for treating existing conditions, not preventing future ones.
DPC’s Proactive Approach
Prevention-Centered Philosophy:
- Regular health optimization discussions
- Comprehensive annual wellness planning
- Early detection of potential health risks
- Lifestyle counseling for long-term wellness
- Hormone optimization for aging gracefully
Time for Thorough Assessments:
- Complete review of family history and risk factors
- Discussion of lifestyle factors affecting health
- Personalized prevention strategies
- Regular monitoring of health metrics
- Adjustments to prevention plans as you age
Specialized Services at AZ Health Solutions
What makes AZ Health Solutions unique in Brevard County is the combination of Direct Primary Care with specialized hormone optimization services:
Hormone Replacement Therapy Integration:
- DPC members receive 10% off hormone therapy services (up to $99/month savings)
- Comprehensive hormone testing and optimization
- Both men’s and women’s hormone health programs
- Bioidentical hormone therapy options
- Ongoing monitoring and adjustment
Corporate Wellness Programs:
- Businesses can provide DPC memberships as employee benefits
- Improved employee health and productivity
- Reduced healthcare costs for employers
- Convenient workplace wellness solutions
Preventive care in DPC practices leads to 40% fewer emergency room visits and 65% fewer hospitalizations compared to traditional primary care, according to recent studies.
How DPC Works in Practice: Real-World Advantages
Understanding the theory behind Direct Primary Care is one thing – seeing how it works in daily life is another. Here are real-world scenarios that illustrate the DPC difference:
Scenario 1: Acute Illness Management
Traditional Primary Care:
- Feel sick on Monday
- Call doctor’s office, earliest appointment is Friday
- Urgent care visit: $200 copay + wait time
- Limited follow-up if symptoms persist
AZ Health Solutions DPC:
- Text Dr. Zawodniak Monday morning
- Same-day appointment or telemedicine consultation
- No additional fees for the visit
- Direct follow-up communication until resolved
Scenario 2: Chronic Disease Management
Traditional Primary Care:
- Quarterly 10-minute visits
- Limited time to discuss symptoms or concerns
- Medication adjustments through nurse callbacks
- Fragmented care with multiple specialists
AZ Health Solutions DPC:
- 30-minute quarterly visits with comprehensive discussion
- Ongoing communication between visits
- Immediate medication adjustments when needed
- Coordinated care with Dr. Zawodniak as your advocate
Scenario 3: Preventive Health Planning
Traditional Primary Care:
- Annual physical if you remember to schedule
- Basic screening tests covered by insurance
- Limited discussion of lifestyle factors
- Reactive approach to health risks
AZ Health Solutions DPC:
- Proactive annual wellness planning
- Comprehensive health risk assessment
- Detailed lifestyle counseling
- Personalized prevention strategies
- Hormone optimization for healthy aging
DPC practices report 85% patient satisfaction rates compared to 65% in traditional primary care settings, largely due to increased access and personalized attention.
Direct Primary Care vs Traditional Primary Care
Understanding the difference between direct primary care and traditional primary care helps clarify why more patients are making the switch. Here’s a comprehensive comparison:
Access and Availability
Traditional Primary Care:
- Appointments scheduled weeks in advance
- Limited same-day availability
- Phone calls routed through staff
- Subject to insurance regulations
- Restricted by insurance paperwork
Direct Primary Care:
- Same-day or next-day appointments
- Direct physician communication
- No insurance billing delays
- Flexible scheduling options
- 24/7 guidance for urgent needs
Quality of Care
Traditional Care:
- 7-15 minute appointments
- High patient volume (2,000+ patients per physician)
- Fee-for-service incentives
- Insurance-driven treatment decisions
- Limited preventive care focus
DPC Model:
- 30-60 minute appointments
- Lower patient panels (300-600 patients)
- Patient-centered care decisions
- Comprehensive care management
- Proactive healthcare approach
Financial Considerations
Traditional Primary Care:
- Insurance premiums, deductibles, copays
- Unpredictable out-of-pocket costs
- Prior authorization requirements
- Network restrictions
- Hidden fees and surprise billing
DPC Practice:
- Flat monthly fee transparency
- No copays or deductibles for basic primary care
- Wholesale pricing for additional services
- No insurance paperwork hassles
- Predictable healthcare costs
Patient Experience
Traditional Healthcare:
- Rushed appointments
- Limited physician access
- Insurance complications
- Fragmented care coordination
- Reactive treatment approach
Direct Primary Care Offers:
- Personalized healthcare experience
- Direct access to healthcare provider
- No insurance barriers
- Comprehensive care coordination
- Preventive care emphasis
The benefits of direct primary care extend beyond convenience – studies show DPC patients have better health outcomes, higher satisfaction rates, and lower overall healthcare costs.
Is Direct Primary Care Right for You?
Direct primary care isn’t necessarily the right fit for everyone, but it’s ideal for certain situations and individuals. Here’s how to determine if DPC aligns with your healthcare needs:
DPC Is Ideal If You:
Value Relationship-Based Care:
- Want to build a long-term relationship with your primary care physician
- Prefer consistent care from the same care provider
- Appreciate personalized attention and time during visits
Seek Healthcare Convenience:
- Need flexible access to your primary care doctor
- Want same-day appointments for urgent concerns
- Prefer direct communication without office intermediaries
Prioritize Preventive Health:
- Focus on staying healthy rather than just treating illness
- Interested in hormone optimization and anti-aging medicine
- Want comprehensive wellness planning
Experience Insurance Frustrations:
- High-deductible health plans that leave you paying out-of-pocket anyway
- Frequent insurance changes affecting provider access
- Prior authorization delays for necessary treatments
- Surprise medical bills despite having health insurance coverage
Consider DPC Carefully If You:
Have Complex Medical Conditions:
- Multiple chronic conditions requiring frequent specialty care
- Rare diseases needing highly specialized treatment
- Conditions requiring expensive procedures or medications
Prefer Highly Structured Healthcare:
- Comfortable with traditional insurance-based systems
- Prefer larger medical groups with multiple specialists
- Don’t mind shorter, more focused visits
Special Considerations for Brevard County Residents
Military Families:
- DPC can complement military healthcare benefits
- Convenient for spouses and dependents
- Dr. Zawodniak’s VA experience understands military healthcare needs
Small Business Owners:
- Cost-effective alternative to traditional group insurance
- Can provide employee benefits through DPC memberships
- Predictable healthcare costs for business planning
Retirees:
- Excellent complement to Medicare
- Focus on healthy aging and hormone optimization
- More time and attention than Medicare-restricted visits
Many patients find that DPC works well alongside high-deductible health plans or as a supplement to existing insurance coverage for routine primary care needs.
Making the Switch: What to Expect
If you’ve decided that Direct Primary Care might be right for you, here’s what the transition process looks like at AZ Health Solutions:
Step 1: Initial Consultation (Meet & Greet)
No-Obligation Discussion:
- Learn about the DPC model in detail
- Discuss your current healthcare frustrations
- Understand what’s included in DPC membership
- Ask questions about the practice and Dr. Zawodniak’s approach
- Determine if DPC is a good fit for your primary care needs
What to Bring:
- List of current medications
- Recent lab results if available
- Health insurance information (for reference)
- List of health concerns and goals
Step 2: DPC Membership Enrollment
Simple Process:
- Complete membership agreement
- Set up monthly or annual payment (HSA-compatible)
- Receive direct contact information for Dr. Zawodniak
- Schedule comprehensive health assessment
No Long-Term Commitment:
- Month-to-month membership
- Cancel anytime with 30-day notice
- No enrollment fees or penalties
Step 3: Comprehensive Health Assessment
Your First Member Visit (60 minutes):
- Complete medical history review
- Thorough physical examination
- Discussion of health goals and concerns
- Personalized care plan development
- Direct contact information exchange
- Next steps planning
Step 4: Ongoing Care
Regular Communication:
- Text, call, or email Dr. Zawodniak directly
- Same-day or next-day appointments available
- 30-minute follow-up visits
- Proactive health monitoring
- Annual wellness planning
Transitioning from Your Current Doctor
Medical Records Transfer:
- AZ Health Solutions will request your records
- Seamless transition of ongoing care
- Coordination with current specialists if needed
- No interruption in chronic disease management
Insurance Considerations
Important to Remember:
- DPC membership doesn’t replace insurance for major medical expenses
- Maintain health insurance for hospitalizations, specialists, and emergencies
- Use DPC for primary care services without insurance
- Many patients find they need less insurance coverage over time
- Consider primary care is a relatively small portion of total healthcare costs
Most DPC members choose to maintain health insurance coverage for serious health issues while using their membership for routine primary care services.
Experience the Direct Primary Care Difference in Brevard County
The choice between traditional healthcare and Direct Primary Care ultimately comes down to what you value most: convenience or convention, relationships or routine, personalized care or processing patients.
At AZ Health Solutions in Merritt Island, we’ve seen hundreds of patients transform their healthcare experience through Direct Primary Care. They’ve discovered what it means to have a physician who knows them, cares about their goals, and is accessible when they need guidance.
The question isn’t whether you can afford Direct Primary Care – it’s whether you can afford to continue with healthcare that leaves you frustrated, rushed, and feeling like just another number.
Ready to Experience Healthcare the Way It Should Be?
Take the first step toward better healthcare with a no-obligation Meet & Greet consultation. Discover how Direct Primary Care can transform your relationship with medicine and put you back in control of your health.
Don’t wait for the healthcare system to change. Change your healthcare today with Direct Primary Care at AZ Health Solutions.
