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Care Packages
Fishtown Medicine•3 min read

Care Packages

On This Page
  • Why a package instead of insurance?
  • Actionable Steps for Philly
  • Common Questions
  • What is a Care Package?
  • Who is a Care Package for?
  • How is a Care Package different from a membership?
  • Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for a package?
  • Do you bill insurance for Care Packages?
  • Does a Care Package include lab work?
  • Do I need insurance to get the labs?
  • What is the most affordable way to work with Dr. Ash?
  • Are package prices fixed or do they change?
  • How quickly can I get a Care Package visit?
  • What happens if I need follow-up after a package visit?
  • Can a package replace primary care?
  • What if I want to become a member after a Care Package?

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TL;DR30-second take

Care Packages are annual clinical audits for non-members. They include focused services like a second opinion or a longevity strategy session, and renew each year for continuity of care. You get our expertise as a lighter yearly plan than the full monthly membership, and packages are generally HSA/FSA eligible.

Some patients are sick right now and just need care. Others need a second opinion or a focused physical. Our Care Packages let you access our expertise as an annual plan, lighter than the full membership.

A Care Package is the right fit when you want focused, expert care on a lighter footing than full membership, like reviewing a complex lab panel before a big life change. If you find yourself needing frequent access, the membership is usually a better long-term value.

The deepest of these is the Strategic Roadmap, a 5-visit arc across 3 to 4 months that covers a 90-minute history visit, advanced labs read together, and a written plan you keep.

View all available Care Packages and current pricing on our dedicated Packages page.

Why a package instead of insurance?

Insurance works well for catastrophes, the car accident and the cancer diagnosis, and it was never built for health optimization. Paying directly changes three things. You skip the prior authorization games, so the workup moves at the speed of your questions rather than a reviewer's queue. Your diagnosis stays out of an insurance database unless you want it there. And the visit runs 60 to 90 minutes instead of the insurance-mandated 7, which is the whole reason a package can answer a complicated question in the first place.

Packages carry no hidden fees, and they are generally HSA/FSA eligible.

Actionable Steps for Philly

Use an annual package wisely.

  1. Define Your Question: Decide what you want to walk away with. A second opinion? A full lab interpretation? A treatment plan for a specific symptom?
  2. Gather Your Records: Upload labs, imaging reports, and specialist notes ahead of your visit so we can use the time well.
  3. Pick the Right Package: Browse the Packages page and message us if you are unsure which fits. We will only book what is appropriate for your situation.
Ashvin Vijayakumar MD (Dr. Ash)

Fishtown Medicine | About

2418 E York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125·(267) 360-7927·hello@fishtownmedicine.com·HSA/FSA Eligible

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Medical Disclaimer: This resource provides clinical context for educational purposes. In the world of Precision Medicine, there is no "one size fits all"; the right plan must be matched to your unique lab work, physiology, and goals. Consult Dr. Ash to determine if this approach is right for you, particularly if you have chronic health conditions or are taking prescription medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

A Care Package is an annual, focused clinical plan for patients who want less than the full monthly membership. Each package targets a specific need, like a second opinion, a strategic audit, or a focused physical, with a fixed annual price and clear deliverables.
A Care Package is for someone who wants high-quality, expert care as a lighter yearly plan than the full monthly membership. It is also useful for people whose primary doctor is great for routine care, but who want a deeper review for one specific problem.
A Care Package is an annual plan with a defined scope and a set number of visits a year. A membership is a monthly relationship with unlimited visits, secure messaging, and longitudinal care. Care Packages can roll over into membership if you decide you want the fuller, continuous care.
Yes, you can use your HSA or FSA to pay for a Fishtown Medicine package. Clinical services are medical expenses and are eligible for HSA and FSA reimbursement. Check the specifics against your own plan, since account rules vary.
We do not bill insurance for Care Packages. Pricing is transparent and paid directly to the practice. Some lab work and imaging can still be sent through your insurance separately, and we are happy to help with that coordination.
A Care Package does not include the cost of lab work or imaging. The package covers Dr. Ash's clinical work at Fishtown Medicine: the focused visit, ordering the right tests, interpreting them, and building your plan. The lab tests and any imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CTs) are ordered through your insurance or at Fishtown Medicine's negotiated cash-pay rates and billed separately, so they are not part of the package price. Our guide to affordable labs and imaging covers how to keep that number down. Standard panels, advanced cardiometabolic markers, and hormone panels can all be ordered this way as part of your workup.
No, you do not need insurance to get the labs. We have negotiated cash-pay rates for blood work that are often 80 to 90% cheaper than hospital pricing. We can also bill your insurance if you prefer. Our affordable labs and imaging guide walks through how to pick the cheaper path each time.
The most affordable way to start depends on what you need. If you want ongoing care and you serve others for a living, an educator, a nurse or healthcare worker, a first responder, a public servant, or a hospitality or service worker, the Colleague membership is the same full membership at $195 a month (Colleague membership). If a monthly rhythm is not what you want, the same membership is billed quarterly at $685, which comes out lower per month and keeps your care going on a steadier schedule. Start with the intake: tell Dr. Ash what is going on, and your free 20-minute call comes after, where he steers you toward the most affordable option that fits. The intake comes first so we can make sure we are a good fit for you.
Package prices are fixed at the time of booking. We update the Packages page when pricing or scope changes, and existing bookings are honored at the original rate.
Most Care Package visits are scheduled within one to two weeks. Urgent second opinions can sometimes be arranged sooner. After booking, you receive intake forms and lab orders, so the visit itself is focused on strategy.
If you need follow-up after a package visit, you can use another visit in your package, transition into membership, or take the written plan to your existing physician.
A package does not replace primary care. Packages are designed for specific clinical questions, second opinions, or focused diagnostics. Ongoing primary care is delivered through membership.
If you want to become a member after a Care Package, you can convert at any time. We help you move from the annual package onto the monthly membership whenever it makes sense for you.

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