The Basics
What is Thrive, in one sentence?
Thrive is a physician-founded adult primary care medical practice that operates entirely outside the insurance system, so that your physician has the time, autonomy, and incentive to actually understand your health — not just process it.
Is this concierge medicine?
Not exactly, although that’s the category we are most easily confused with. Concierge practices typically charge a membership fee on top of billing your insurance, and they’re often defined by amenities — faster scheduling, nicer waiting rooms. Thrive doesn’t bill insurance at all, and what you’re paying for isn’t service polish. It’s the depth and quality of clinical thinking applied to your care.
Is this Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
Not in the conventional sense. Standard DPC charges a flat monthly fee for unlimited access. We think that model has a hidden flaw: it pays a physician the same whether they spend fifteen minutes or ninety on a complex problem, which quietly penalizes thoroughness. Thrive uses tiered membership instead, so the depth of care you need is matched to a structure that makes that depth sustainable to deliver. (More on this below.)
Is this a wellness program, longevity clinic, or coaching service?
No. Thrive is conventional primary care medicine, practiced rigorously, by a physician. Longevity and quality of life are outcomes of excellent medical care here — not a separate product, supplement line, or program you enroll in.
How It Works
Do you take my insurance?
We don’t bill any insurance carrier or government payer. This is deliberate, not a limitation — insurance billing is what compresses appointments and distorts clinical priorities in conventional primary care. You should keep your insurance for things Thrive doesn’t cover: hospitalization, emergencies, specialists, imaging, and labs. We handle your primary care directly.
If I’m paying you, do I still need insurance?
Yes. Thrive is not insurance and not a substitute for it. Your membership covers the primary care we provide directly. You’ll want coverage in place for everything beyond that — hospital stays, specialist care, emergency services, and catastrophic events.
Can I use my HSA, FSA, or HRA?
The services we provide are unquestionably eligible for use of these tax-protected funds. We carefully structure our billing policies to qualify for reimbursement of paid membership fees through these accounts, but it is best to inquire within for details. We recommend confirming with your plan administrator, since rules vary, and we are happy to review these scenarios on a case-by-case basis.
What about Medicare?
We currently accept Medicare Part B, but our physician will be formally opting out of Medicare after December 31, 2026. If you’re a Medicare patient, this is worth discussing with us directly so you understand exactly what it means for your care and your options going forward.
Why isn’t there a monthly payment plan?
Thrive memberships are annual, with the option to prepay annually or semiannually at a discount, or to pay quarterly. We don’t offer month-to-month membership because the relationship and the care model are built around continuity over a year, not transactional access you switch on and off.
The Tiers
[Click here for a summary document providing details on each tier]
Why are there three tiers? Isn’t medicine the same for everyone?
The standard of clinical care is identical across all three tiers — the same physician, the same rigor, the same judgment. What differs is the frequency of proactive engagement, the depth of ongoing monitoring, and certain ancillary services. Patients with stable, straightforward health needs don’t need the same intensity of engagement as patients managing real complexity. The tiers let you pay for the level of involvement you actually need rather than averaging everyone’s cost together.
How do I know which tier is right for me?
Essential suits generally healthy adults who want reliable access to a trusted physician — typically fewer than six visits a year. Proactive suits people who want structured, ongoing management and physician-initiated follow-up. Elite is for those managing significant complexity or pursuing the most intensive, continuously-synthesized approach to their health, with direct physician access. If you’re unsure, that’s exactly what a conversation with us is for — and we’ll tell you honestly where you fit.
What if I pick a tier and it turns out to be the wrong fit?
We’d rather you be in the right tier than the wrong one. If your needs and your tier drift apart, we’ll raise it with you directly as a clinical recommendation. You’re never automatically moved or charged more without a conversation.
Access & Care
How fast can I be seen?
It depends on tier: within five business days for Essential, two for Proactive, and same-day for Elite (for non-urgent concerns; urgent matters are handled promptly regardless of tier).
What happens if I have an urgent problem after hours?
A highly trained clinical team addresses all after-hours calls in a timely fashion. Some concerns can be safely managed by phone until a scheduled visit. Others — truly urgent or emergent situations that require an in-person examination to assess properly — are generally directed to Urgent Care or the emergency department, depending on severity. We’re always glad to serve as your first-line triage in those moments, helping you decide where to go and when.
What’s the difference between the tiers in terms of access?
Higher tiers include more frequent comprehensive health reviews and a greater degree of proactive, direct engagement with your physician. Essential is built around reliable access when you need it; Proactive and Elite layer in progressively more structured, physician-initiated involvement over time. The right level depends on how much ongoing engagement your health calls for — and that’s exactly what a conversation with us will clarify.
Will I actually see Dr. Medeiros, or get handed off?
You see your physician. Thrive is built specifically so that clinical judgment is never delegated to a protocol or routed around. The whole practice is designed around the physician-patient relationship being the thing you’re actually getting.
Do you do house calls?
Yes, home and offsite visits are available to all tiers. Distance-based fees apply for Essential and Proactive members; for Elite members, those fees are included.
What do you NOT handle?
We don’t provide hospital care, emergency services, obstetric care, or specialist services, and we don’t have hospital admitting privileges. We coordinate referrals and labs through trusted partners, but those relationships and any associated fees are separate. For a true emergency, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Getting Started
How do I become a patient?
Call us at 774-318-4205 to start the conversation. We’ll talk through your situation, answer your questions, and help you decide whether Thrive is the right fit — with no pressure either way.
Is the panel limited?
Yes. We deliberately limit our patient load so that every individual receives the full and appropriate attention their health deserves. The entire model depends on the physician having enough time for each person — which means the practice cannot, and will not, grow without limit.
Ready to try Thrive on for size? Send us a Message or call 774-318-4205
Thrive Adult Primary Care 