1. Our Approach to Care

We are not a primary care or emergency clinic. Instead, we specialize in functional and holistic medicine, aiming to identify and address the root causes of health issues.

• Comprehensive Modalities: Our treatment plans may include prescription medications, advanced laboratory testing, supplements, IV therapies, and energy therapies.

• Optimization vs. Standard of Care: We often aim to optimize your health markers even if they fall within "normal" ranges. Some of these therapies may be considered "off-label" or not strictly "medically necessary" by conventional insurance standards, but are chosen based on your unique symptoms and longevity goals.

• Collaborative Care: We view our services as supplementary to your primary care physician. We encourage you to maintain a relationship with a PCP for acute emergencies and routine primary care needs.

2. Laboratory Testing & Diagnostics

We utilize a wide range of testing methods, including blood, saliva, stool, urine, hair, and skin analysis.

• Beyond Conventional Testing: We often order specialized tests to assess structural and functional deficiencies that standard panels might miss.

• Insurance & Costs: Many of these specialized tests are not covered by insurance. Patients are responsible for laboratory fees. We may receive compensation from labs to cover the time spent ordering and interpreting these complex results, but you always have the option to have labs ordered on a prescription and completed at a facility of your choice.

3. Telehealth & Communication

We offer convenient telehealth and telephone consultations, but with specific limitations to ensure safety.

• Location Requirements: For telehealth, you must be physically located in a state where your provider is licensed (currently South Dakota, Michigan.

• Limitations: Video visits cannot replace a full physical exam. Vital signs and certain physical tests may need to be conducted by you or a local provider.

• Communication Channels: While we encourage using our secure Patient Portal, we also support email and phone calls for non-emergency matters. Please note that email is not 100% secure, and never use email or phone for medical emergencies. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

• Ambient Listening: We use digital transcription technology during visits to help document your care accurately. You have consented to this to improve our efficiency.

4. Supplements, Natural Substances & Medications

A core part of our philosophy involves the use of natural substances, supplements, and compounded medications.

• Risks & Interactions: "Natural" does not mean "risk-free." Supplements can interact with prescription drugs, OTC medications, and foods. We require full transparency about everything you are taking to prevent adverse reactions.

• No Refunds Policy: Due to the custom nature of compounded medications and the perishable nature of supplements, no refunds, credits, or exchanges are allowed once an order is placed or a prescription is sent to the pharmacy.

• Off-Label Use: We frequently prescribe medications for "off-label" uses (uses not yet approved by the FDA for your specific condition). This is a common and legal medical practice that allows us to tailor treatments to your specific needs.

5. Financial Policies

Next Level MD operates on a Direct Pay / Concierge model.

• No Insurance Billing: We do not file claims with insurance companies. All services and products are paid for out-of-pocket at the time of service.

• Payment Methods: We accept cash, check, ACH, credit/debit cards, HSA, and FSA cards. (Note: Credit card transactions incur a 3% service fee; cash/ACH/check avoid this).

• Missed Appointments: We require 24-hour notice for cancellations. Missed appointments without notice incur a $25 fee.

• Administrative Fees: Tasks requiring significant provider time outside of a visit (e.g., writing letters of medical necessity, completing disability forms) incur administrative fees ranging from 50–150.

• Note on Disability/Legal: We do not provide expert witness testimony, disability assessments, or workers' compensation filings.

6. Your Role in Your Care

Your success depends on active partnership.

• Honesty: Please be completely honest about your medical history, lifestyle risks, and all substances you are consuming.

• Responsibility: You are responsible for monitoring your symptoms. If you experience concerning side effects (e.g., allergic reactions, severe dizziness, or unusual symptoms), contact us immediately. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.

• Follow-Up: Medication refills and treatment adjustments require scheduled follow-up visits to assess efficacy and safety.

7. Privacy & Data

We are committed to protecting your health information in compliance with HIPAA.

• Data Sharing: We may share your information with other providers involved in your care, billing services, or as required by law (e.g., public health reporting).

• Your Rights: You have the right to access your records, request amendments, and restrict certain disclosures. You can request a copy of our full Privacy Policy at any time.

8. SMS & Text Messaging Services

To make communication faster and more convenient, Next Level MD offers an SMS/text messaging service for appointment reminders, test results, and clinic updates. By opting in, you are agreeing to receive these messages.

What You Will Receive

We use text messaging to send:

• Appointment Reminders: To help you stay on schedule.

• Health Updates: Notifications about test results or prescription refills.

• Clinic News: Updates on services, promotions, or general clinic announcements.

• Feedback Requests: Occasional surveys to improve our service.

• Message frequency varies depending on your care needs.

Privacy & Security

• HIPAA Compliant: Our text messaging platform is designed to be HIPAA-compliant and secure. We use industry-standard protocols to protect your data during transmission.

• Data Collection: We collect your mobile number and interaction data (time/date of messages) solely to deliver these services.

• Sharing: We do not share your information with third parties for marketing purposes. We only share data with our SMS service providers to deliver messages or as required by law.

• Security Note: While we take reasonable measures to protect your data, no electronic transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We recommend avoiding sending sensitive medical details to us via standard text.

Managing Your Subscription

• You are in control of your communication preferences:

  • Opt-Out: At any time, simply reply STOP to any text message to unsubscribe.

  • Help: If you have issues, reply HELP for assistance.

  • Costs: Standard message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply.

Contact Us

• Have questions about our text messaging policy?

  • Phone: 605-991-2900

  • Email: info@mynextlevelmd.com

  • Website: mynextlevelmd.com/contact-us

Need More Details?

This overview covers the essentials of our practice. For the full legal text, detailed consent forms, or specific questions about your treatment plan, please log in to your Patient Portal or contact our office directly.