When someone asks you to pay $59-$99 per month, you’d better know what you’re getting in return! In this article, we’ll break down exactly what your New Leaf Online membership fee pays for and help you decide whether a membership model makes sense for you.
In essence, your monthly membership fee pays for all the work our team does for you, both directly and indirectly. When you sign up for one of our online programs, you get immediate access to our team of expert Providers and Staff as often as you need it. Not only do you get your regularly scheduled video meetings with your Provider, but you also get unlimited email access directly to our Provider Team. When you’re starting a journey as complicated as losing weight or balancing your hormones, questions will arise. One of the risks of going with a traditional “fee for service” or non-membership based company is that your access may be limited. Since they only get paid when you complete a visit or buy a product, you may not be able to contact your Provider without paying an extra fee or scheduling a whole new visit. Some of those companies won’t even allow you to speak with a Provider at all! With New Leaf Online, you can email your questions directly to your provider any time, and you’ll receive an answer within a single business day. Plus, when you call us, a real person will answer the phone. If you’re like me, you hate beeping and booping through automated phone trees when all you want is to speak to a human being! There are no robots on our phone lines, and when you call during business hours, we answer. In short, your membership fee allows us to provide a much more personalized level of care and service to ensure you have everything you need to achieve success in your New Leaf Online program.
Not only does your membership fee cover all the direct patient care aspects of your program, but it also allows us to ensure we are providing you with the most cutting edge, up to date medical services and advice. Your membership helps to fund the continuing education of our team through extra training, conferences, and the latest medical publications. When you join with New Leaf, you’re getting the most well educated, up to date Providers available anywhere.
Why a membership model might not make sense for you
Every patient’s needs are unique, and there is no such thing as a one size fits all model for healthcare. Here are a few reasons why a membership model like New Leaf’s might not be the best fit for you.
- You don’t need any advice and just want to purchase medications. If you are already highly educated and confident about the treatment you are seeking, and you know you won’t have any questions or concerns along the way, you may want to go with a company that simply dispenses medications and charges you only when you place an order.
- Cost is your only concern. If you are looking for the absolute bottom dollar cheapest way to obtain weight loss medications or hormones, a membership model may not be the best fit for you. There are some online companies who simply require a brief qualifying survey in order to place an order for certain medications. Since their overhead costs are low because they don’t provide much in the way of direct patient care, you may spend less money with one of those companies.
- You’re ok with limited access to your care team. Some companies charge a fee per video or office visit. The amount of the fee can vary widely depending on the company, but most of these companies do not provide unlimited communications between visits, so it may be more difficult to resolve questions or concerns when they arise.
- You want to use your insurance. If you’d prefer to have your insurance pay for everything, you may want to find a company or practice that accepts your plan. The advantage is that there may be a lower out of pocket cost, but you may still run into the same issues with access. Insurance based practices only get paid when you come into the office or have a video visit (a “billable service”), so they may not be willing to provide much communication or advice between visits. Insurance based practices also tend to be more overworked, so it can be tough to even get someone on the phone, much less get your questions answered.
We believe that our membership model allows us to provide the absolute best service and care for our patients. If you’re ready to get started on your weight loss or hormone replacement journey, and you’re looking for an expert team who’s always here for you, join our program today. And if you have any other questions, just give us a call! Our team of real humans is ready to answer.
Dr. Kyle Adams, MD
CEO and Medical Director
New Leaf Online
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. You should always consult your doctor before starting or changing any medications or to discuss any health concerns you may have.
