Frequently Asked Quesions

What is Direct Primary Care?

Direct Patient Care means there is you and the provider involved in your care. There is no insurance dictating care and services that are provided by our service. Services are determined as necessary by the provider and you the patient.

Do you take insurance?

What kind of practice is this?

What if I decide to cancel my membership?

Will I be billed monthly?

We are an integrative & functional medicine primary care office that combine traditional health care, functional medicine, natural/holistic health care, alternative medicine and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine). Integrative means we combine all modalities of the different types of medicine. Functional Medicine means we view the body as a whole and look for underlying or contributing factors and focus on keeping your health optimized. Holistic means viewing the mind, body, spirit and ensuring we look at everything (holistic does not mean natural-although we do incorporate natural treatments). We focus on prevention (prevention of diseases, symptoms, syndromes, conditions), wellness (keeping you well), reversal (reversing chronic conditions) and looking for the underlying or contributing factors to your concerns. Our treatment options vary from person to person and are very unique.

When you sign up, you will provide a form of payment that will be kept on file and charged monthly for your membership fee. That same method of payment can be used for service visits if your plan isn’t all inclusive.

No, we do not accept insurance as payment for our services. We will give you a bill to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement if requested.

If you decide to cancel your membership, we ask for 30 days notice and you will no longer be charged after that 30 days is up. You will however continue access to services through the 30 days, which allows you time to find another provider or service that better fits your needs.

Are you really available 24 hours a day?

Yes! There will be times that home visits may not be available, but members will have access to a care provider at all times. We do ask that if you do call and have to leave a message, you give us 2 hours to respond as we may be with other patients during that time. We also request that if it's not urgent, please don't call between 10 PM and 7 AM. If you do call between these hours, an additional after hours charge will be billed. As always, if you feel your concern is an emergency, please either call 911 or go to the emergency department to be seen.

Is there a contract?

Yes. All members will sign an annual contract along with appropriate consent forms required to receive care.

How soon can I be seen?

Many times we are able to schedule you for the same day you make a request.

How is Functional Medicine different?

Functional medicine goes beyond the symptoms of a disease and asks the question "Why ar you sick?". It seeks to find the root cause of your problems an not just treat the symptoms with drugs. Working with you as a partner in your health, we do an in-depth assessment of you. From this assessment, we form a plan of care. Your plan will address modifiable aspects of your life, including nutrition, exercise and sleep. It will also focus on your mental and emotional health. Functional Medicine is more of a process than simply giving you a pill to treat your symptoms. We look to correct the reason you are having the symptoms to begin with. Whether this be poor nutrition, exposure to toxins, stress, or a combination of these.

Why should I become a member?

From gut health issues and hormone imbalances to low energy, mood disorders, chronic lyme disease treatment, and chronic injuries, our holistic care supports the whole you — body, mind, and performance.

What kind of issues can Functional Medicine cure or help with?

Members receive discounts on nutritional supplements, and labs. These in themselves can be significant savings. Members are have access to functional medicine visits, in addition to traditional medicine.

do I still need insurance if I'm a member?

Health insurance is not required to become a member of Lowcountry Wellness Center. Our membership covers primary care services provided through our practice.

However, we strongly recommend that members have additional coverage for services outside the scope of primary care, such as hospitalizations, surgeries, emergency care, and specialist services. This may include traditional health insurance or a health-sharing plan.

Pairing a DPC membership with outside coverage helps ensure you are protected in the event of unexpected or high-cost medical needs.

Can I use my HSA/FSA to pay for my membership?

In many cases, yes—Direct Primary Care (DPC) memberships may be eligible for payment using HSA or FSA funds. Eligibility can vary based on your specific plan and current IRS regulations.

We recommend checking with your HSA/FSA administrator or a qualified tax advisor to confirm whether your membership qualifies.

What is your approach to holistic health and wellness?

Our approach focuses on caring for the whole person—not just individual symptoms. We take time to understand each patient’s lifestyle, nutrition, stress levels, and overall health goals.

Care plans may incorporate preventive care, lifestyle and nutrition guidance, stress management strategies, and evidence-based treatments tailored to each individual. This personalized, whole-person approach supports long-term health and sustainable wellness.

Can I see a specialist if I need to?

Yes. When specialty care is needed, we can help guide referrals and coordinate care to support continuity between your primary care and specialist treatment.

Specialist services are not included in membership and are arranged outside of our practice.