Healthcare in the U.S. isn’t just expensive, it’s confusing, slow, and often impersonal. But at Spruce MD, we’re rewriting that story. Our patients love the time we spend with them, the advanced lab testing we offer, and the fact that they can actually reach us when they have a question. Still, the biggest hesitation we hear is: “Wait, you don’t take insurance?”
We get it. That sounds like a dealbreaker. But what if we told you that paying cash for healthcare might actually save you money — and give you better care in the process?
In 2025, with high-deductible health plans now the norm and health insurance covering less than ever, cash-pay healthcare is no longer an alternative – it’s a smarter choice for proactive, personalized care.
Here’s why.
1. Better Access and Shorter Wait Times
In traditional insurance-based practices, you often wait weeks for an appointment, only to sit in a crowded waiting room for an hour and spend 10 rushed minutes with your provider. Follow-up questions? Get ready to battle the phone tree and wait days for a nurse to call you back.
At Spruce MD, new patient visits last up to 60 minutes, and follow-ups give us plenty of time to truly listen, explain, and ensure you’re confident in your care plan. Have a question after your appointment? You can message us directly. There is no middleman, and there are no delays.
2. Transparent Pricing, No Surprise Bills
Insurance premiums, co-pays, facility fees, and surprise out-of-network charges can make “covered” care feel like a financial trap. Most Americans don’t even know what they’ll owe until the bills start arriving weeks later, often piecemeal and without explanation.
With Spruce MD’s membership model, there are no mystery bills. You pay a flat monthly or annual fee and receive high-touch, individualized care. Standard labs are often still covered by insurance, while advanced or specialty tests have clear, upfront pricing. You know exactly what you’re paying for — and why.
3. Higher-Quality, Root-Cause Care
The U.S. healthcare system ranks much lower than other healthcare systems in the world despite spending more per capita than any other country. Why? Because it prioritizes billing codes over real care.
Insurance-based providers are under pressure to see more patients in less time, adhere to rigid protocols, and get reimbursed only if they prescribe certain medications or order certain tests — even when that’s not what you need.
At Spruce MD, we reject that model. We practice integrative medicine that looks at the whole person, not just symptoms. We have the time and freedom to dig deeper, explore root causes, and develop truly personalized care plans. Our goal isn’t just to get you “not sick,” but to help you feel your absolute best.
Bonus: You Can Still Use Insurance… Just Differently
While Spruce MD doesn’t bill insurance directly, we make it easy for patients to get reimbursed:
- Superbills: We’ll provide documentation you can submit to your insurer
- HSA/FSA Eligible: You can use pre-tax dollars to pay for your membership, visits, specialty lab tests, and supplements
- High-Deductible Friendly: Our services often count toward your deductible
Rethink Your Healthcare
It might be time to rethink your coverage strategy. Pairing a high-deductible health plan with a Spruce MD membership allows you to prioritize preventive care without sacrificing financial protection in an emergency.
Contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can give you a tax-free way to pay for cash-pay care, essentially giving you a built-in discount on our services.
The Bottom Line
If you’re investing in organic groceries, gym memberships, therapy, or wellness apps, it makes just as much sense, if not more, to invest in a healthcare provider who can help coordinate those efforts.
Spruce MD offers more than just a doctor’s visit. We provide a partnership in your health – one where you’re heard, supported, and seen as a whole person, not a billing code.
Your health is your greatest asset. Isn’t it time your healthcare acted like it?
Ready to take charge of your health?
Schedule your consultation or learn more about our membership model. Let’s create a care plan built around you – not your insurance company.
