FAQs

One of the biggest benefits of direct primary care is access to your doctor--appointments when you need them, not when there is an available appointment weeks from now; longer appointment times to address all of your concerns, not time-restricted appointments so that clinics can stay on time and keep the number of patients seen/day high; phone calls answered when you make them, not multiple messages sent back and forth between office staff. Also, a monthly DPC membership fee is often much less than the total of all of your office visit co-pays added up at the end of the year.

No. Direct Primary Care is an affordable way for uninsured patients to have access to consistent, good quality primary care. In cases where there may be additional charges, such as lab fees or imaging fees, insurance may be used. For patients who do not have insurance benefits, don't worry. We have many options and recommendations to make additional diagnostic testing (and medications) very affordable.

YES! Please refer to our pricing page for prices on family plans. Direct Primary care is also a great option for small businesses to offer medical benefits to their employees affordably. Again, our pricing page has a link for small businesses if you are interested.

No. We do not bill any insurance plans for any of *our* services. With that said, we do accept any patient with insurance including Medicare and Medicaid patients. Again, direct primary care members often save more money, even insured patients, with their monthly membership payment than with paying for uncovered services or paying for copays and coinsurance fees until deductibles are met.

In providing the best care possible with outstanding access and availability, we do everything we can to limit hospitalizations and the need for referrals to specialists. On the rare occasion that you are hospitalized, we rely on our local hospitalists to provide the care needed while in the hospital. We will work closely with the hospitalist providing care as well as with the specialist if they are asked to consult.

Cardona DPC sees patients 11 years old and above.

Yes, at this time we do allow one-time, non-member visits, on a case-by-case nature. We are not an urgent care clinic. We are a primary care clinic first, however if there is space and time allows, we will see patients in this capacity. If the medical need is deemed to be beyond the capabilities of the clinic, we reserve the right to refer you directly to the emergency room.

During office hours, the best way is to call the office at 904-551-4625 or send a message through your Akute patient portal (if you do not have access yet, please call us for your patient access code) or through your Spruce app. Outside of office hours, you may still call the office phone number and, if non-urgent, leave a message, or send a message through your Akute portal or Spruce app. If there is an urgent issue outside of office hours, you may call the office phone number and there will be an option to leave an urgent message or you may also send a message through your Spruce app and label it as urgent.

AviClear is a laser treatment that can safely and effectively treat all skin types and can be used on all acne severities.

AviClear targets acne at the source. This revolutionary laser treatment uses a 1726nm wavelength to selectively target and down regulate the sebaceous glands. Overproduction of sebum by the sebaceous glands is one of the leading causes of acne.

Three quick 30-minute treatment sessions over 3 months

Unlike most traditional acne treatments, AviClear is free of harmful side effects, free of chemicals and toxins, and safe for all skin types and tones. After treatment, mild symptoms such as redness, inflammation and flareups are normal but fade quickly.

AviClear can be used on adolescents and adult patients, suffering from mild, moderate and severe acne.

AviClear is equipped with exclusive AviCool™ sapphire skin cooling and sensory controls that maintain your skin’s temperature during treatment for a more comfortable experience.

Avoid Sun Exposure: Stay out of the sun and avoid tanning (including self-tanners) for at least 2 weeks prior to the treatment. Sunburned or tanned skin can increase the risk of side effects and interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment. Discontinue Certain Medications: Inform the office about any medications or supplements you are taking. Some, especially those that increase photosensitivity (like certain antibiotics and retinoids), may need to be discontinued before treatment. Call the office for specific guidance on medication adjustments. Avoid Other Skin Treatments: Refrain from undergoing chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or other laser treatments on the area to be treated for at least 2 weeks before the session. Stop Using Certain Skin Care Products: Discontinue use of retinoids, glycolic acids, and other exfoliating or irritating skin care products at least 3-5 days before treatment. Clean Skin: Arrive at your appointment with clean, makeup-free skin. Avoid using lotions, perfumes, or other topical products on the area to be treated on the day of the session. Medical Conditions: Inform your provider of any medical conditions, recent illnesses, or infections, as well as any history of cold sores (herpes simplex virus), which might necessitate antiviral medication prior to treatment. After treatment: Hydrate: Continue to drink plenty of water after your session to support your skin's healing process. Sun Protection: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your skin from sun exposure. Avoid direct sun exposure as much as possible for at least 2 weeks after treatment. Avoid Irritating Products: Refrain from using retinoids, glycolic acids, and other potentially irritating skin care products for at least 5-7 days after the treatment, or until your provider advises it is safe to resume. Gentle Skin Care: Use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer to keep your skin clean and hydrated. Avoid scrubbing or exfoliating the treated area. Monitor Treated Area: You may experience some redness, swelling, or mild discomfort in the treated area, which should subside within a few hours to a few days. Call the office if you have any concerns or if these symptoms persist. Follow-Up Appointments: Adhere to the recommended schedule of follow-up treatments to achieve the best results. AviClear treatments are typically done in a series, and consistency is important for optimal outcomes. By following these pre- and post-treatment instructions, patients can help ensure that their AviClear treatment is safe, effective, and achieves the desired results with minimal side effects.