Frequently Asked Questions

Where will you be located?

Health inc Wellness Center is located at 50 Manning Place, Birmingham, AL 35242 in the town of Mt Laurel

What age ranges will you see?

Birth through End stages - Dr. Russell loves caring for the whole family!

Do you do Well Child Checks?

Yes! Dr. Russell follows the CDC schedule for checks.

-2-5 days old

-1 month old

-2 month old

-4 month old

-6 month old

-9 month old

-12 month old

-15 month old

-18 month old

-2-year-old, then yearly after this.

We referred to a local audiologist for a more diagnostic hearing test. To see Dr. Russell for the first time or to receive a newborn heel prick you must book a first visit. Subsequent visits can be booked under the well-child format.

Will you do phone consults if I am too far away?

Yes! Dr. Russell will be set up to see anyone in Alabama immediately through teleheath and is working on becoming  licensed in several different states to expand his care. Let us know where you are!

Will you do Women's Health?

Yes - Dr. Russell will do Pap smears, breast exams, and copper IUD's. We will continue to have Thermography quarterly as well. 

Will you do stitches?

Yes, Dr. Russell is excellent at this!

Will you do physicals for work or school?

Yes!

Do you take insurance?

No. Your receipt can be submitted to your insurance company.

His first Exams will take payment upfront as these are 50 min appointment times. Why is this? We are dedicating this time to you and no one else. We are not a walk in first come first serve center. Dr. Russell will determine what you need based on his time spent with you instead of an insurance demand or a big box clinic overhead. 

Is Dr. Russell Board Certified?

Yes!

This means that Dr. Russell has completed post-graduate medical training in Family Medicine and has also been subsequently credentialed by the American Board of Family Medicine. He is currently licensed in Alabama and will look to acquire medical licenses in other states, opening the possibility for Telemedicine.

How to Use Your HSA or FSA for Concierge Medicine

With concierge medicine, just like with any traditional medicine, you want to find every path toward possible savings on the cost of membership. One resource you may want to consider is a spending account. There are two main types of accounts — Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). These accounts let you set aside earnings into a fund for “qualified medical expenses.”You might be surprised by the number of items covered by HSAs or FSAs — everything from insurance deductibles and copays down to supplies such as bandages, crutches, and contact lenses. When it comes to using your HSA or FSA, you probably want to know: Are concierge doctor fees eligible for your HSA or FSA? 

HSAs: More ownership over your medical savings account. Both HSAs and FSAs cover all qualified medical expenses, but the protections and limitations of an HSA are very different, so make sure you’re aware of the pros and cons of an HSA. The first thing to know is that not everyone is eligible for an HSA. It’s available only to people who use a high-deductible health insurance plan, one with an annual deductible of $1,500 for self-only coverage and $3,000 for family coverage (as of 2023). But if you qualify and choose an HSA, the account is entirely yours, not your employer’s. This means there are no concerns about job transitions or a yearly rollover limiting your access to the balance. It’s yours to use when you need it. If you’re age 65 and older, you’re even allowed to withdraw funds to pay non-medical expenses, but you’re going to owe income tax on your withdrawal. If you’re not yet 65, you’re able to do the same, but you’re stuck with additional fees. Another difference between an HSA and an FSA? HSAs have a higher contribution limit. For the 2023 tax year, people who file independently can invest $3,850 in an HSA, while families can contribute up to $7,750. Unlike an FSA, which requires you to set a contribution total during the enrollment period, an HSA total can be altered at any time. That’s a lot of points in favor of the HSA, but what’s the drawback? You can’t outspend your investment. Instead of accessing the full contribution amount as of January 1, you can grab only what you’ve accumulated in your account.

FSAs: A use-or-lose account for medical expenses. The “f” in “FSA” stands for “flexible,” but it might as well stand for “fast.” You can quickly get access to your FSA funds, but you can also quickly lose access to its funds, too. With an FSA in 2023, you can invest up to $3,050 of untaxed income into a bucket that covers living expenses. However, you also can’t roll over more than $610 (20%) of unspent balance until next year. Again, check with your employer on details, but, it’s generally a use-it-or-lose-it system. There are two types of FSAs: Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, which can be spent on work-related childcare. Health Flexible Spending Account, which goes toward qualified medical expenses. One perk to the FSA is how soon your funds become available. You must enroll in the program and set your contribution amount during the fall enrollment period, but then you have access to the entire budget as of January 1 — even if you deposit into your account throughout the year. The drawback to an FSA is its limited protections for job transitions and yearly rollover. If you leave or lose your job midyear and you haven’t used your FSA balance in full, you likely forfeit access to it, unless you qualify for continuation through COBRA.Check with your business, though, because guidelines vary from one company to the next.

Are concierge doctor fees eligible for HSAs or FSAs? HSAs and FSAs typically work the same with concierge care as they do with traditional physician practices. Your concierge membership can’t be covered by your FSA or HSA account, just like it can’t be billed to most insurance policies. However, the general rule to remember is that, if insurance covers an expense, so does a spending account. That’s true with traditional practices and with concierge care, too. Any co-pay, prescription, or out-of-pocket concierge expense that you can bill to your insurance company should be HSA- and FSA-eligible. An advanced physical could potentially be applied to an HSA or FSA. Some form of physical is commonly included as part of a concierge membership, but many of the more medically advanced screenings require an out-of-pocket payment. Depending on your individual plan, these costs may be able to be applied to your HSA or FSA. Always check with your plan to ensure you have a clear understanding of what kind of expenses can be applied to your HSA or FSA.

As we talk about these accounts, all the standard disclaimers apply. Policies can vary. Check your specific plan for details. But you now know the general rules of what expenses these accounts cover. If insurance covers it, a spending account likely does too. VIP Concierge memberships can’t be covered, but treatments and care plans can.

How do I get my child started on Well Child Checks

All patients must get started with a first visit, in that visit Dr. Russell will do his first Well Child Check. After they are established as a patient you can book well-child checks or any other services need

Do you see Pregnant Patients?

Yes, Dr. Russell can see Pregnant women for general medical reasons, but is not doing prenatal or obstetrical care. He loves working alongside your Midwife or OB.

If you have any other questions, please use the chat box in the bottom right corner!