No. We do not accept payments from any insurance plans for the actual provider visit portion. You may still use your insurance benefits for the labs, pap, imaging, and medications. This is considered a boutique style fee-for-service medical office with direct care in a small personalized practice setting. The benefits here include quality time spent directly with your provider, timely access to visits, and improved communication. Larger practices bound by insurance rules and reimbursement depend on large volumes and thus tend to rush patients in and out, have long waits, unhelpful automated systems, and often will not allow any problems to be addressed at the time of annual preventative visits. Our model allows for a much smaller volume of patients to be seen in a day, providing new patients with 40-60 minute thorough visits. We will be happy to provide you with a "superbill" with relevant codes if desired that you then have the option to submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement directly back to you (with the exception of Medicare). Reimbursement is never guaranteed. Compared to a full concierge model common in primary care, there is no requirement to pay an annual membership fee for unlimited use. Instead this is a pay as you go model. You only pay for what you need here in gynecology. For many women that will be only $200 for the year.

Please email info@coastalwomenswellness.com to inquire about our fees and we will be happy to send you the most updated list. For a general idea of gynecology visit pricing: new patient range $200-250 and established patient range $100-200. All new weight management consultations are $350 which includes a 60 minute in-depth consultation and 2 week follow-up, after which you may choose whichever tier best suits your needs if wanting to enter the 12 month program. There is also a pathway to transfer weight management services here from another office or program on a case by case basis for $250 for a 60 minute maintenance plan consultation.

Yes, patients can pay with their HSA or FSA cards for health services provided here.

If you are specifically struggling with losing weight chronically and interested in immersive therapy including medication when indicated, or just interested in optimizing body composition to prevent chronic disease through lifestyle improvement, you have come to the right place. Dr. Ward has a passion to help women achieve their healthiest state. She is separately board-certified in the field of Obesity Medicine and is very knowledgeable about optimal weight loss to improve body composition and long-term health, nutrition, as well as the incredibly complex disease of obesity and the latest treatments available. After the first year of the program bringing great success and interest, we have had to slow down enrollment. For November and December of 2024 we will be focusing on continued care for those already enrolled as well as more access for gynecologic care in the busy season. Some adjustments to the program are being made with details coming soon. New spots are anticipated to be opening again January 2025. Visit our "weight program" section of the website to get on the waitlist!

Labs, pap, and imaging studies can be ordered to your preferred site and your insurance can still be utilized for these as you normally would. We partner with Quest, Labcorp, Sarapath, Vikor Scientific, Lee Health labs, Ameripath, and MDL. Imaging can be done at Lee Health facilities or Radiology Regional. If you do not have insurance or prefer not to use it for labs, some of our lab partners offer discounted self-pay rates. If you need to use an alternate site than those listed here, just let us know and we will be happy to facilitate a specialized order.

No. Some visit intervals are available via our telemedicine platform for added convenience if preferred.

No. The program fees are to cover the time with physician with professional advice and management of the medication when applicable, numerous visits, continuous remote support, and comprehensive dietician consult. This also includes any needed prior authorizations to support insurance coverage of the medication. Medication costs are separate and will be variable depending on which medication, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy source. We understand that cost is a significant factor when it comes to the newer and more effective weight loss medications, and we are continually researching numerous sources included reputable compounding pharmacies to be able to make these a realistic long-term option for more patients without coverage for the brand name FDA-approved therapies.

All new consults are $350 - this includes a 60 minute comprehensive initial consultation with thorough history, baseline labs, body composition scan, and review of medications available when applicable followed by a 2 week follow-up included in that cost where all data obtained is reviewed and a personalized plan of action begins. You do not have to decide until after that on whether or not you wish to apply the $350 spent to one of the tiers available for a 12 month program (and no obligation from there to join a full annual program if you feel you have gained enough insight, screening, and education at that point). There are a variety of options for those wishing to continue ranging from $50/month to $240/month depending on your needs, and then after those 12 months a maintenance plan is set to continue long term surveillance. Maintenance plans will be very typical of any other chronic medical condition that has periodic follow-up and medication management, most often in the 3-6 month interval range at 150/visit. There is NO requirement to continually book annual memberships after the first year. Those looking to transfer their current medication management to this practice may have the option of a lesser $250 new consult fee just for the initial 60 min thorough review then jump to a long-term maintenance pathway from there. Aside from the "silver" tier, all visits are directly with Dr. Ward. The cost breakdown of the program can be found here:

If your insurance provides some coverage for these medications specifically for obesity or overweight with co-morbidities, then we are happy to complete a prior authorization and supply the documentation needed to prove necessity. Please note at this stage many insurance companies and employers do not provide any coverage for weight loss medications such as Wegovy and Zepbound despite meeting clinical criteria. Ozempic and Mounjaro are typically not covered in the absence of diabetes. Keep in mind there are several FDA-approved medications for weight loss beyond semaglutide and tirzepatide that can be managed here as well. We do also offer one option for compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide through Myerlee pharmacy when clinical indications are present and insurance denials or drug shortages are limiting factors in getting needed therapy. Note that compounded medications are not regulated by the FDA for safety and efficacy.

If you have been on semaglutide or tirzepatide and having a favorable response without adverse effects or contraindications, then this can usually be continued here under supervision. The important point is that everyone, even those who are already on this medication, need to complete a more comprehensive initial consultation to start or continue on any treatment plan so that Dr. Ward has the specific history she needs to make the most appropriate recommendations. That visit type for a continuation of therapy/transfer of care request is $250. Maintenance plans from there will vary by individual needs but often fall in a 3-6 month interval visit range at $150/visit.

Absolutely. Anyone can come for just a scan, including men. Please note weight limit of the current scanner is 330lb. Costs are: $50/scan for unestablished patients, $40/scan for established, and $30 per extra scan for those already enrolled in the weight management program. This can be done anytime the office is open, just call or text first to ensure the room is available. It takes approximately 2 minutes to complete, and the report can be emailed directly to you if desired. Best of all, no prep is needed! Unlike bioimpedence devices, you do not need to fast, avoid any medications, or avoid exercise or alcohol beforehand. Form fitting clothing is recommended if you do not wish to remove clothes.

No. The program is open to any female age 18+ of any BMI. It is geared more towards those with a BMI of 25 and above (overweight or obesity) struggling chronically with losing weight and maintaining the change when they do; however, those with a BMI in the normal or underweight range can absolutely schedule for guidance to achieve and maintain healthy body compositions and lower chronic disease risk. Consideration will be given in the future to opening up the program to male and adolescent patients as well.

This is highly variable. Medication could be started as soon as the 2 week follow-up after appropriate history and data review. For some patients, a lifestyle approach alone will be preferred first based on your specific clinical scenario or due to medical contraindications. There are no defined criteria applied broadly to every patient to “qualify” for medication – like most chronic medical conditions, this is highly individualized and depends on several factors. But rest assured there are no imposed specific timelines to force patients into more visits simply to gain access to highly desired medications. Also, by no means are perfect food choices required in order to qualify for weight loss medication because that is simply not reality. Please note though that Dr. Ward does NOT prescribe weight loss medications for cosmetic reasons without appropriate clinical indication.

The annual membership fee for the platinum and gold plans includes a 50 minute comprehensive consultation with a registered dietician with option for add-on visits from there. Dr. Ward will provide as much counseling on nutrition as possible within her scope of knowledge on this subject as well to help support continued progress.

Yes! Another perk to joining.

We do not accept insurance for office visit fees or body scans, but these benefits can be utilized for labs, imaging, EKG, polysomnography and prescription drug coverage. You may request a "superbill" (itemized invoice with relevant CPT and ICD-10 codes) for the initial consultation which is structured as any other complex medical office visit with physician. If desired you may submit that to your insurance company for potential out of network reimbursement. Out of network reimbursement for office visits is never guaranteed. Additionally, you should not expect reimbursement for program membership fees.

To be clear, no one should expect to have success in this program without being open to having realistic conversations about what food and drinks go into your body. With that being said, there is a common aversion to collecting a food diary, and we do not want this to be a barrier to needed care. This is not required throughout the program, although usually encouraged initially and when stalled progress is encountered. Some specific tracking is requested in the beginning to help identify any patterns, outliers, hidden calories, potential for nutrient deficiencies, areas for improvement and education, etc. Be honest or you only hinder your progress!

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