Pricing and Payment
How much does membership cost?
Membership is $150 per month, plus a one-time $125 enrollment fee that includes your Essence Care Health Kit. Additional household members have reduced pricing (see below). There is no contract length. See the Membership page for current details.
Is there an enrollment fee?
Yes. A one-time $125 enrollment fee applies when you join, in addition to your $150 monthly membership. It includes your Essence Care Health Kit, a physician-curated blood pressure monitor, pulse oximeter, thermometer, and digital scale, so you can track your health at home and give Dr. Badrun accurate data between visits.
How does pricing work for families or multiple members of the same household?
Your primary household membership is $150 a month, with a $125 enrollment fee that includes your household’s Essence Care Health Kit. Each additional household member joins at a reduced $140 a month, with a $75 enrollment fee, and receives the same care and direct access to Dr. Badrun. All members must be adults ages 18 to 64.
Is there a contract? What is your cancellation policy?
There is no long-term contract. We ask for one month’s notice before you cancel so we can wrap up your care smoothly. If you decide to rejoin in the future, we would be glad to have you back. Re-enrollment after cancellation includes a $300 enrollment fee.
Insurance & HSA
Does New Essence Health accept my private health insurance?
No. New Essence Health is a membership-based Direct Primary Care practice and does not bill insurance for our services. It is not health insurance, and you do not need health insurance to join. Membership is paid directly by you, whether or not you have coverage.
If you have health insurance, you can still use it outside our practice for labs, imaging, prescriptions, specialist visits, or emergency care whenever that lowers your out-of-pocket cost.
Membership does not replace insurance for major medical costs. Many members pair it with a high-deductible or catastrophic plan, or a medical cost-sharing or health share program, to help with hospitalizations, surgeries, or specialist care. Not sure what fits? Reach out and we will help you think through your options.
At this time, individuals enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or CHAMPVA are not eligible for New Essence Health membership. This helps us stay compliant with federal and state program requirements while keeping our private-pay membership model simple and transparent.
Do I still need health insurance?
Most people should keep some form of coverage for costs membership does not include: hospital stays, surgery, emergency care, and most specialist care. Membership covers your primary care with us. A licensed insurance professional can help you choose the right plan.
Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for my membership?
Yes, in many cases. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in 2025 and effective January 1, 2026, HSA funds can be used for direct primary care memberships. To qualify, the membership fee must stay within $150 a month for an individual or $300 a month for a family, and you must be enrolled in a qualifying high-deductible health plan (HDHP).
Our individual membership fits within the limit. Households whose combined membership fees are above the $300 family limit may not qualify, so confirm with your HSA administrator or a tax professional. Read our HSA guide.
What happens when I turn 65?
Our membership is for adults ages 18 to 64. If you turn 65 or enroll in Medicare, please talk with us about your options. We are not currently accepting patients enrolled in Medicare.
Visits, Scheduling & Access
Are in-person office visits available?
Yes. New Essence Health offers in-person visits at our Buckhead, Atlanta office, alongside telehealth for patients throughout Georgia. Many day-to-day primary care needs can be addressed virtually, but some visits, like your initial comprehensive intake and physical exams, are in person. Dr. Badrun will help you decide the best visit format for your needs.
Georgia state regulations require at least one in-person exam each year for telehealth patients, which your annual comprehensive physical already satisfies.
How do I schedule an appointment?
As a member, you can request visits directly by call or secure text, with no call center or referral required, for both in-office visits at our Buckhead, Atlanta location and virtual visits from anywhere in Georgia.
How long are appointments?
Appointments are built around your needs. While standard insurance-based primary care visits are often ten to fifteen minutes, our appointments typically range from thirty to sixty minutes, giving us time to explore your concerns, answer your questions, and build a plan together.
Do you offer virtual appointments?
Yes. In addition to in-person visits at our Buckhead, Atlanta office, New Essence Health provides telehealth visits for patients located in Georgia, whether you are traveling within the state or prefer the convenience of care from home. Learn more about telemedicine in Georgia.
What if I travel out of Georgia?
Telehealth is how we stay in touch when you travel. Contact us before your trip so we can let you know what is possible while you are away. For urgent needs or emergencies while traveling, go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room.
How effective is virtual care compared to an in-person visit?
For many ongoing primary care needs, telehealth works well and saves travel time. With your Essence Care Health Kit, virtual visits give Dr. Badrun useful readings such as blood pressure and weight, to follow your health from home.If a concern needs a hands-on exam, we will arrange an in-person visit at our Buckhead, Atlanta office.
Can I reach out between visits?
Yes. As a member you can reach out between visits by call, text, or email whenever a question or concern comes up. We aim to respond in a timely, personal way, though response times can vary. For emergencies, call 911.
Is there a limit to the number of visits I can have?
We do not set rigid visit limits. You have flexible access to in-person and telehealth appointments as needed for your health, scheduled around clinical need so our time stays available for thorough evaluations and prompt attention to acute concerns.
Medications, Labs & Imaging
Which medications are covered with membership?
Unlimited generic medications are included during your first year, shipped directly to your door at no extra cost, whether that is two prescriptions or fifteen. Specialty medications without a generic equivalent, such as insulin and hormone therapies, are not included in the membership. We guide you to at-cost pricing for them.
What happens to medication pricing after the first year?
The first-year benefit is a one-time welcome benefit for new members and does not reset if you cancel and rejoin. After your first year, generics remain available at low prices, below standard retail. For specialty medications without a generic equivalent, we guide you to at-cost pricing.
How affordable are labs and imaging for members?
Because there are no insurance markups, members pay discounted cash rates for labs and imaging, which can be much lower than typical hospital and health-system prices. Tests are done at a convenient local facility, and you see the price before anything is run. If you would rather use your health insurance for diagnostic tests, the choice is yours.
Chronic, Acute & Preventive Care
Do you treat chronic conditions?
Yes. We partner with members to manage conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, and cardiovascular risk factors, with extended visits and ongoing monitoring through your Essence Care Health Kit. Learn about home blood pressure monitoring.
How do you take care of acute issues?
When you feel unwell, you can contact Dr. Badrun directly, without phone trees or a triage desk. Together, we decide on the right next step, whether that is an in-person visit at our Buckhead, Atlanta office or a virtual consultation. For severe or life-threatening emergencies, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency room.
Do you provide preventive care?
Yes. Preventive care is the foundation of our practice. Membership includes annual comprehensive physicals, screening recommendations, and proactive health monitoring, with time for a thorough evaluation. Read about cancer screening guidelines.
What happens if I need specialist care?
We stay at the center of your care. If you need specialized testing or consultations outside our practice, Dr. Badrun guides and coordinates the referral process.
Emergencies & After-Hours
What should I do in a medical emergency?
Always seek immediate emergency care. If you have severe symptoms such as chest pressure, difficulty breathing, or sudden neurological changes, call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait to reach us first.
New Essence Health provides ongoing primary care, not emergency services. We are here to guide and coordinate your care afterward, but 911 and your local ER are the right first call for anything urgent or life-threatening.
What about after-hours urgent issues?
As a member, you can message or call our office for urgent guidance after hours, and when possible, Dr. Badrun will help triage your symptoms or offer advice. New Essence Health is not a 24-hour emergency center or walk-in urgent care, so there may be times after hours when hands-on care, imaging, or testing is needed right away.
In those situations, or if we cannot be reached promptly, a local urgent care clinic is the safest option, and we will coordinate follow-up with you the next business day.
Additional Policies
What is your policy on controlled substances?
Your long-term health and safety come first. We take a conservative approach to prescribing controlled medications such as opioids and benzodiazepines.
- Chronic pain: for long-term pain care, we partner with a pain management specialist and explore effective non-narcotic options together.
- Anxiety and mental health: we prioritize evidence-based first-line therapies and holistic techniques, and connect you with trusted psychiatric specialists when needed.
- On-site safety: for the safety of patients and staff, we do not store or dispense controlled substances at our Buckhead, Atlanta office.
Do you provide vaccinations?
We review your immunization needs as part of your annual physical and give personalized guidance. We do not administer vaccinations in our office, but we can point you to nearby options such as your local pharmacy or health department.
Do you see patients who do not speak English?
Yes. Dr. Badrun speaks English, Spanish, Bangla, Urdu, and Hindi, in person at our Buckhead, Atlanta office and through telehealth across Georgia.
Who is Dr. Badrun?
Dr. Farzana Badrun is an adult primary care physician and the founder of New Essence Health. She went on to undertake clinical training in Internal Medicine, holds a Master of Public Health, and has worked in clinical medicine, research and public health. She provides care in English, Spanish, Hindi, Urdu and Bangla.
