Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an appointment?
Although we promise to see you on the same day, all ZüpMed visits must be scheduled in advance. Call the ZüpMed concierge and let us handle the arrangements for our Laurelwood clinic or a house call to your home, office, or hotel!
Do I have to be a “member”?
Nope! We’re very happy to care for you and your family whenever and wherever you need us! We do recommend that you consider membership, however, if you live in (or frequently visit) the Memphis area. ZüpMed membership can offer substantial benefits and savings!
What are your hours?
Our Laurelwood clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm, and on Saturdays from 8 am to 2 pm. ZüpMed GO! visits to home, office, and hotel are available during normal business hours and by special arrangement.
What if I need help after hours?
We’ll do our best to take care of both our ZüpMed members and our a la carte patient guests during normal business hours. After-hours, “urgent” GO! visits are premium-priced and subject to staff availability. Please call 901.701.7010 to inquire.
What if I need medical care when I’m out of town?
To reach a provider, please call the ZüpMed concierge at 901-701-7010 during regular business hours.
Is ZüpMed a “concierge” medical practice?
Although we offer a value-based membership program that covers all of your urgent and primary care visits throughout the year, ZüpMed does not require any annual fee like traditional “concierge” practices. You’re more than welcome to use our services once, twice, or as many times as you like with pricing from our a la carte services.
We would like you to think of ZüpMed as a “concierge” service, though, because each member of our team is personally committed to providing you the best healthcare experience you’ve ever had! From the time you book your exam room, to finishing the last tablet in your prescription, and every step along the way, we’re not going to be happy unless you’re completely satisfied!
What are the benefits of joining as a member?
ZüpMed members receive:
- Initial meeting and health status evaluation with our interdisciplinary team
- Annual age-appropriate wellness exam (we utilize the recommendations of the United States Preventive
Services Task Force, an independent, volunteer panel of national experts in disease prevention and
evidence-based medicine) - Unlimited Urgent and Primary Care visits
- Priority scheduling
- Discounts on ancillary services such as Aesthetics, Acupuncture, and Botox®
- Discounts on House Calls to home, office, or workplace
- Discounts on in-clinic laboratory and X-ray services
- Discounts on prescription medications from our in-clinic dispensary
- Discounts on over-the-counter medications and supplements
- Discounts on our exclusive lines of skin care products
- Discounted memberships for partners and families
How can ZüpMed provide members so much care at such a low cost?
By deciding not to accept insurance, we were able to significantly lower the overhead that other practices have to pay for billing staff, collection services, and declined payments. We operate differently, too, using a highly-skilled team that works together to share responsibilities. And, we’ve leveraged technology from other industries to make ZüpMed even more efficient! It all adds up to better value for our patients.
Why does membership cost more for older patients?
ZüpMed pricing considers that older patients are more likely to need more frequent visits as well as more time to address sometimes complex problems. We want to be able to give you all the time, and all the attention, that you want and need.
I have medical insurance. Can I still come to ZüpMed and utilize your services?
Please do! Even though ZüpMed does not participate in any insurance contracts, patients who have health care insurance coverage, either through their employer or an individual insurance plan, can still experience the outstanding care and additional services that we offer. We will provide you with a fully itemized statement (“Super Bill”) after each visit should you choose to submit your expenses to your insurance carrier. Most insurance companies will then treat your visit as one to an “out-of-network” provider and may reimburse you accordingly. And we will do anything we can to help!
What about Medicare?
We apologize for any inconvenience, but ZüpMed has “opted out” and does not participate in the Medicare program. Medicare patients are required by law to sign an acknowledgment to that affect and agree not to submit any ZüpMed charges for Medicare reimbursement. We do hope, however, that our convenient access, excellent care, broad range of services, and very modest pricing (often less than deductibles or copays) will convince you to allow ZüpMed to become your medical home.
Do you offer discounts for couples and families?
Of course! ZüpMed membership pricing is discounted for couples, families, and groups. And all ZüpMed services are provided equally without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, or marital status.
What if I’m late or miss my appointment?
The exam room is reserved for you for the entire time slot. If you’re going to be late, please let us know. We simply may not have as much time to spend together. If you miss your appointment entirely, however, and didn’t let us know, the first thing we’re going to do is to call to make sure that you’re ok. After that, as our parents used to say, “We’ll have a talk.” (Members who miss three visits without notification within a 12-month period are subject to termination of the agreement and forfeiture of any remaining balances.)
Do I have to be vaccinated?
Your employer may require certain vaccinations as a condition of employment, but that’s between the two of you. We’re happy to help. Membership in ZüpMed doesn’t require any particular vaccinations, but we’ll do our best to provide honest advice about your particular needs.
Do you prescribe opioids?
In an appropriate situation, an a la carte patient may be provided a one-time electronic prescription for opioid pain relievers, benzodiazepines, or other controlled substances for a maximum of three days. All prescriptions for controlled substances are first checked against the multi state CSMD (Controlled Substance Monitoring Database). ZüpMed carries NO opioids or other controlled substances in our clinic dispensary or on GO! calls.
What if I need a specialist consultation, diagnostic study, surgery or something else that you don’t offer?
We pride ourselves in our training, experience, and state-of-the-art equipment, but there may come a time when you need an Emergency Room visit or surgery that we are unable to offer. As ZüpMed continues to grow, so does our list of specialists and providers who have agreed to offer their services at established rates for those who “self-pay.” We still strongly recommend, however, that you plan for unexpected and perhaps catastrophic events by maintaining some form of medical insurance.
Does ZüpMed offer specialized services for women?
For women, ZüpMed membership includes annual pelvic exams and Pap smears as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). We can also provide advice and prescriptions for birth control, as well as symptom management during menopause. At present, we do not provide mammograms but can refer you to local services who offer a reduced, self-pay rate.
Do you treat children?
Short answer: Yes. Our Family Nurse Practitioners are equipped and trained to handle most minor childhood illnesses and injuries. Nevertheless, we strongly encourage children (and their parents or guardians) to continue a relationship with their pediatricians, especially through the early childhood years. As kids grow and reach adolescence, they may be more appropriate for (and may even be more comfortable with) our ZüpMed services.
Will you treat mental health conditions?
Yes, but the treatment of mental health conditions is subject to individual assessment and requires current ZüpMed membership. We believe common mental health diagnoses like depression, generalized anxiety, or even some eating disorders must be treated in the context of the whole person. Only by developing a relationship of mutual respect between patient and provider, and by learning more about the patient as a whole, including other medical conditions, mental health symptoms and patterns, and psychosocial support systems and challenges, can we begin to build an effective treatment plan.
Are vaccines provided?
ZüpMed memberships include annual influenza (flu) vaccinations. High-dose “senior” flu vaccinations are charged at the prevailing rate, as are TDaP (Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis) immunizations and other adult vaccines.