IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM YOUR THRIVE WELLNESS TEAM

To our beautiful and beloved patients,

We’re publishing a meaningful update about your care at Thrive Wellness Center. After much reflection and with a deep commitment to our patients, we have made the difficult decision to transition away from accepting insurance plans for clinical services.

This shift is not about profit.   It’s about reclaiming the sacred relationship between patient and provider. Insurance policies have increasingly limited the time, access, and scope of care we can provide.  Reimbursements continue to decrease and in order for private practices to survive, each provider must see a patient for less than 10 minutes and schedule anywhere from 6 to 10 patients per hour.  This type of scheduling is unreasonable and not in alignment with our values.  Looming changes in the commercial insurance sector point to a future which is unsustainable, not just for our practice, but for many small, independent clinics nationwide.

Here’s what this means:
- We will no longer bill insurance for clinical services, starting October 4th.
- You can still use your insurance for lab work, imaging, prescriptions, and devices like IUDs, Nexplanon, and diaphragms.

We’ve created this Transition & Advocacy Bundle to help you navigate the change. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with questions or for assistance.

We understand that navigating healthcare today can feel complex and frustrating, with rising costs, insurance barriers, and accessibility challenges. Our transition to a transparent, direct-pay model is rooted in our deep commitment to providing high-quality, personalized care without insurance-imposed limitations.

Unlike many direct-pay providers, we have deliberately chosen not to charge a monthly "concierge medicine" fee. We firmly believe healthcare should be fee-for-service, affordable, and accessible without expecting patients to reserve space in our practice. Our intention is inclusivity, not exclusivity. We will continue to offer special perks and promotions announced via email periodically, aiming to further support patient savings and maintain compassionate care.

After analyzing local price points, we have settled on a pricing structure that is at or below fees for comparable private practices (see fee schedule below). 

Introducing Thrive Together Days

In addition to our commitment to maintain fair and competitive fee structures, we will have a monthly special "Thrive Together Day" to ensure established patients can still access exceptional healthcare. On this special day, established patients can schedule focused appointments for straightforward preventative health visits, including routine physical exams, breast and pap exams, routine labs, STI testing, age-appropriate screening orders, and routine medication refills, or simple problem/follow up visits. "Thrive Together Day" fees are set at a significantly reduced rate of $120 per visit. Please note, discussions regarding extensive or complex health issues or initiating/managing hormone replacement therapy are not eligible for limited slots and will require separate appointments.

Thank you for your trust and continued partnership in health.  We look forward to you joining us on this journey as we navigate the changing landscape of healthcare together.

With gratitude,

JH, PA-C
Jennifer Huddleston, PA-C
On behalf of the Thrive Wellness Center Team

Transparent Fee Schedule

For the most up-to-date pricing, please see our full Transparent Fee Schedule flyer. A few common services include:

- New Patient Visit  – $250
- Established Patient Visit  – $200
- Telehealth Visits - established – $150
- Preventative Visits – $175 - $250
- In-office labs (urine dipstick, pregnancy test) – $5 each
- Procedures (IUD, Nexplanon, biopsy, colposcopy) – $250– $350
- Thrive Together Day limited visit for established patients – discounted fee of $120

GLP-1 Packages & Pricing:

• Initial Consultation – $295
• Comprehensive evaluation
• Complimentary consult with functional nutritionist
• Personalized GLP‑1–friendly diet plan
• No monthly membership fees!
• Insurance navigation support: we help submit prior authorizations, though approval isn’t guaranteed but we will make an exhaustive effort to get insurance approval for medication
• Follow-Up Telehealth Visits – $150 every 3–4 months for refills and medication management
• One required in-person visit per calendar year (per CA medical board rules)
• Free injection training and support available to all patients

Please inquire directly for specific CPT code estimates

What Insurance Still Covers

Although Thrive will no longer bill insurance for visits, you can still use your insurance for:

- Lab work (e.g., blood panels, cultures, pap pathology)
- Imaging (e.g., ultrasounds, mammograms, X-rays)
- Medications filled at a pharmacy
- Devices ordered through pharmacy or supplier (e.g., IUDs, Nexplanon, diaphragms)

We will help coordinate these services when needed.

How to Use Your HSA/FSA & Seek Reimbursement

- Most Thrive services qualify for payment via Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).  If you have one of these plans, you can often use your card just like a debit card directly through our EMR system.
- We can provide a detailed, coded superbill upon request or at the time of your check out.
- To seek out-of-network reimbursement, submit the superbill to your insurance with a claim form (available on their website).  If you need guidance with submitting your superbill, we will be available to help walk you through the process.
- You can also submit and appeal to your insurance company requesting reimbursement.  An appeal letter could include a statement as follows:
“I am under the care of a licensed provider. I request reimbursement for out-of-network care due to the specialized services offered.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I still be your patient if I don’t have insurance or can't afford all fees upfront?
A: Yes. We will work with you. We offer clear pricing and can sometimes provide payment flexibility.

Q: Can I get reimbursed by my insurance?
A: Possibly. Many patients use superbills for partial reimbursement of out-of-network services.

Q: What if I need labs, meds, or imaging?
A: We’ll help coordinate those through insurance and outside services as needed.

Q: How can I pay?
A: We accept all major credit/debit cards, HSA/FSA, and online payment.

Q: Will this affect the quality of my care?
A: No. This change is meant to protect your time and your care and will not reduce it.