Direct Primary Care

Doctor Spotlight: Dr. Lyman Wostrel

Dr. Lyman Wostrel has always been driven by a desire to make systems work better—for people, not just institutions. 

Before becoming a physician, he built a successful career as a high-net-worth financial advisor with academic degrees in economics and finance. Later, he transitioned into engineering during the oil boom, working as a wireline engineer in high-stakes, fast-paced environments.

But it was a deeper call—one rooted in faith and service—that led him to medicine.

After earning his MD and completing a year of family medicine residency in one of California’s largest healthcare systems; Dr. Lyman experienced firsthand how the traditional model often left patients feeling rushed, over-treated, or overlooked. That experience inspired him and his wife Dr. Lauren to return to the heart of medicine: time, trust, and preventive care.

Now, as founder of Zion Asher Family Physicians, Dr. Lyman blends his financial and medical expertise to offer affordable, transparent care that puts patients back in control. He is especially passionate about helping working families and small business employees of Southwest Missouri access consistent, preventive care without the burden of insurance bureaucracy.

Beyond the exam room, Dr. Lyman is an advocate for reform in medical education. He has spoken at national conferences and met with lawmakers at the state and federal levels to advance more humane, effective physician training models—ones that prioritize integrity, well-being, and patient-centered care.

Outside of medicine, you’ll find him farming, enjoying time with family, or sharpening his strategic thinking over a good video game.


How Zion Asher Offers Flexibility for Individualized Family Care

When it comes to caring for your family, no two households are exactly alike. Every parent brings unique values, priorities, and questions to the table — especially when it comes to their children’s health. That’s where Zion Asher Family Physicians stands apart.

In a Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, your family gets time, attention, and options — including the flexibility to make informed decisions about your child’s care, from nutrition and developmental milestones to vaccine scheduling and wellness visits.

What Is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?

Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model where patients pay a flat monthly fee directly to their doctor for a full range of primary care services — no insurance middlemen, no rushed visits, and no surprise bills. In other words: fewer barriers, more connection.

Key benefits of DPC include:

  • Longer appointments and better communication

  • Same-day or next-day availability

  • Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

  • Personalized care that aligns with your family's goals

Individualized Care: One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Traditional insurance-based systems often force providers to follow rigid protocols and brief appointment times — usually 10–15 minutes per visit. This leaves little room for nuance, deeper conversations, or alternative approaches.

In a DPC setting, your doctor isn’t bound by those limitations. That means you can expect:

  • Unrushed visits to talk through health concerns or parenting decisions

  • Tailored wellness plans that fit your family's lifestyle and beliefs

  • Respect for your choices, including custom vaccine schedules or alternative approaches

Whether your child has sensory sensitivities, allergies, chronic health conditions, or simply thrives on a slower-paced medical approach, DPC gives you the space to talk through those needs and build a plan together.

Supporting Parents Who Want Custom Vaccine Schedules

Many parents have questions about vaccines — and that’s okay. In our clinic, we believe that respectful, informed discussions are part of good medicine.

We support families who:

  • Follow the CDC-recommended vaccine schedule

  • Choose a delayed or custom schedule

  • Are selectively vaccinating or currently unvaccinated

Rather than pressure or judgment, we offer:

  • Time to answer your questions

  • Space to review research and make decisions

  • Care regardless of your vaccine status

Your choices don’t change our commitment to your child’s health.

The Power of Relationship-Based Medicine

One of the biggest advantages of DPC is the ongoing relationship between doctor and family. Instead of seeing a different provider every visit or rushing through checkups, you get continuous, connected care.

That kind of trust allows for:

  • Early detection of issues before they become serious

  • Collaborative problem-solving with your doctor

  • A deeper understanding of your child’s unique needs

If the whole family sigs up; it also means your doctor really knows your family — and that matters.

Is Zion Asher Right for Your Family?

If you're looking for:

  • A healthcare experience that values your time and voice

  • A clinic that respects medical autonomy and informed choice

  • Flexible care for kids and adults alike

...then Zion Asher could be exactly what your family needs.

We’re Here for You

At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we believe great care starts with listening. Whether you follow a traditional vaccine schedule, a custom one, or are simply exploring your options — we’re here to support you.

Ready for personalized care that fits your family?

⚖️ Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult with a licensed physician regarding your personal health.

Last Updated: June 16, 2025

Doctor Spotlight: Dr. Lauren

With a background in family medicine and a deep commitment to preventive care, Dr. Lauren brings both clinical experience and compassion to every patient encounter. 

After completing medical school and a year of family medicine residency, she trained extensively in women’s health and worked in one of California’s largest healthcare systems. It was there she saw firsthand how rushed appointments, red tape, and overloaded schedules were failing both doctors and patients. 

Determined to offer something better, she and her husband—Dr. Lyman Wostrel—relocated to southwest Missouri to open Zion Asher Family Physicians, a Direct Primary Care practice focused on affordable, personalized, relationship-based medicine.

Dr. Lauren believes healthcare should be proactive more than reactive—and that it should start with listening to patients, not rushing them through.

 She takes time to understand the whole person—not just their labs or diagnoses—and partners with patients to prevent illness, reduce medication burden, and build sustainable health from the inside out.

When she’s not at the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her family, walking their farm, diving deep into God's Word, and is honored to serve the working families and small businesses here is Southwest Missouri.


DUTCH Hormone Testing Now Available in Southwest Missouri

Hormones play such an important role in our health, if they are not at appropriate levels our quality of life can really suffer. It is normal for them to fluctuate, but what if they are not in the optimal range? Getting your hormones tested can give you insight into why healthy eating and exercise may not be giving you the results that you are expecting. That is why we are pleased to offer DUTCH hormone testing in Southwest Missouri!.

What is DUTCH testing?

A DUTCH test is a comprehensive, non-invasive (no needles!) test that can detect hormone imbalances, cortisol levels, and organic acid levels. From the comfort of your home, urine samples are collected then mailed to the lab to be analyzed. Your results are sent to your doctor, who will sit down with you to discuss your results and together you will decide on the best course of action.

Who Should Consider Testing?

You might benefit from DUTCH testing if you:

  • Feel tired no matter how much sleep you get

  • Struggle with mood swings, anxiety, or irritability

  • Suspect your hormones are "off" but standard labs say everything is “normal”

  • Experience stubborn weight gain or difficulty losing weight

  • Have irregular or painful menstrual cycles, or symptoms of perimenopause or menopause

  • Notice brain fog, low motivation, or poor stress tolerance

  • Want to optimize your energy, sleep, and vitality—not just treat symptoms

This test is ideal for those who want a deeper understanding of hormone balance, adrenal function, and detox pathways—especially if you've hit a dead end with traditional lab work.

At Zion Asher, we use DUTCH testing as part of a functional approach to help patients see the full picture and take real steps toward healing and thriving.

How It’s Different from Routine Labs?

Traditional blood labs provide a snapshot in time—measuring hormone levels at one moment on one day. But hormones fluctuate throughout the day and metabolize through various pathways in the body, which standard labs often miss.

The DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) tracks hormone patterns over a 24-hour period and analyzes metabolites, giving a more complete picture of:

  • How well your body is producing estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol

  • How efficiently you’re metabolizing or clearing these hormones

  • Whether your stress hormone rhythm (cortisol) is aligned with a healthy daily pattern

  • Clues about liver detox, nutrient needs, and even neurotransmitter activity

This allows us to identify subtle dysfunctions—even when your blood labs appear “normal”—and personalize your care with greater precision.

What to Expect Next

If you're interested in DUTCH hormone testing, here's how the process works at Zion Asher Family Physicians:

  1. The Initial Consultation
    We’ll review your symptoms, health history, and determine if advanced hormone testing is the right next step.

  2. Sample Collection at Home
    If testing is appropriate, you’ll receive an easy-to-use at-home kit with clear instructions. The collection involves dried urine samples throughout a 24-hour period—no blood draw required.

  3. Comprehensive Results Review
    Once results are back, we schedule a dedicated consult to walk you through the findings in detail, explain what they mean, and outline a personalized plan. This may include nutritional support, lifestyle changes, or targeted supplementation.

  4. Ongoing Optimization
    We track your progress and adjust your care as your body heals and rebalances—because hormone health is a journey, not a one-time fix.

Note: DUTCH testing is only available to established DPC members, and due to the time-intensive nature of care, appointments for hormone consults are limited each m


Ready to gain clarity on your hormones? Click here to request more info.

⚖️ Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult with a licensed physician regarding your personal health.

Last Updated: June 17, 2025

I’m Healthy, Why do I Need a Primary Care Doctor?

Stay healthy

The Answer Could Literally Save Your Life

We all tend to put things off—especially when nothing seems wrong.
Take your car, for example. If the check engine light comes on but it’s still running fine, it’s tempting to ignore it… until something major breaks.

We often treat our health the same way.

When you feel good, it’s easy to believe that everything is good. But many serious conditions develop slowly and silently—until they become difficult, costly, or even impossible to reverse.

That’s where a primary care doctor comes in.

Early Detection Saves Lives

You may feel perfectly fine, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Conditions like:

  • High blood pressure

  • High cholesterol

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • Thyroid disease

  • Certain cancers

…can be present for years with no obvious symptoms.

By the time they’re causing fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest pain, the damage may already be significant.

A simple yearly visit with your primary care doctor could catch these early—when they’re still manageable, reversible, or even preventable.

Prevention Is Cheaper Than Treatment

Preventive care doesn’t just protect your health—it protects your wallet too.

Chronic conditions cost more than just money. They cost:

  • Time off work

  • Prescription medications

  • Specialist visits

  • Emergency room bills

  • Lost energy, freedom, and quality of life

By staying on top of your health now, you can avoid many of those downstream costs entirely.

Habits Form Early—Health Is No Different

If you’re in your 20s or 30s, now is the best time to build the habit of annual check-ins. It’s a chance to:

  • Learn your baseline labs

  • Get personalized guidance on diet, sleep, and exercise

  • Catch small issues before they become big problems

When you hit your 40s, preventive care becomes even more essential. Cancer screening guidelines kick in, and your risk of metabolic and cardiovascular conditions begins to rise.

Routine labs can detect:

  • Elevated blood sugar (early diabetes)

  • High LDL or triglycerides (cardiovascular risk)

  • Inflammatory markers and liver issues

  • Vitamin and hormone deficiencies

Most people who catch these early and make lifestyle changes never need long-term medications.

Your Family Deserves a Healthy You

When you take care of your health, you’re not just doing it for yourself—you’re doing it for your family.
A healthier you is:

  • More present

  • More capable

  • Less likely to experience sudden medical emergencies or financial strain from illness

You don’t need to be sick to start seeing a doctor—you need to be smart.

The Zion Asher Approach: Care That Grows With You

At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we’re not just here when something’s wrong. We’re here to help you:

  • Stay healthy

  • Catch issues early

  • Navigate each stage of life with the right screenings, labs, and personalized advice

You’ll have direct access to a doctor who knows you—not just your chart.

Ready to make your health a priority—before there’s a problem?

Join Zion Asher Family Physicians or contact us today to start building lifelong habits that protect your future.


⚖️ Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult with a licensed physician regarding your personal health.

Last Updated: June 29, 2025

Why Should I Sign Up for Membership if I Already Have Health Insurance?

You may be wondering: If I already have health insurance, why would I need a membership at Zion Asher Family Physicians? It’s a great question—and one we hear often.

Let’s break it down.

Insurance Was Never Meant to Handle Everyday Healthcare

Traditionally, health insurance was designed to protect individuals and families from catastrophic events—unexpected hospitalizations, surgeries, or severe injuries. Over time, however, insurance plans started to include routine care, but at a cost: more restrictions, less time with your doctor, and rising out-of-pocket expenses.

Direct Primary Care (DPC) works differently. At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we provide high-quality, accessible primary care without involving insurance companies in your day-to-day care.

Insurance Can Limit Your Options—We Don’t

When you use your insurance plan for primary care, you’re required to use in-network doctors and services. That means:

  • Your doctor must be in your insurance network.

  • Your plan may not cover the medications or labs your doctor recommends.

  • Contracts change yearly, so even if you love your provider, you might be forced to switch.

With DPC, you get to keep your doctor—regardless of which insurance company you use for hospital or specialist care. Zion Asher Family Physicians is not contracted with insurance companies, so we work for you, not them.

More Time with Your Doctor, Fewer Barriers to Care

In traditional insurance-based clinics, physicians often care for over 2,000 patients. That means rushed appointments (usually 7–10 minutes), long wait times, and often being seen by someone other than your doctor.

At Zion Asher Family Physicians:

  • We limit our panel size to around 500–600 patients per physician.

  • You’ll typically spend 30–60 minutes per visit with your actual doctor.

  • We know our patients well, so we can often help with just a phone call or secure message.

This kind of relationship-based care helps prevent chronic disease and supports better long-term health.

Affordable Labs and Medications—No Permission Slips Required

Because we’re not billing insurance, we don’t need prior authorizations to order labs or prescribe medications. That means faster care and fewer delays.

We’ve negotiated deeply discounted pricing on:

  • Common labs

  • Generic medications

  • Imaging referrals

In fact, many members pay less out of pocket for labs and prescriptions through us than they would using their insurance.

Need a specialist? No problem—we’ll coordinate referrals, and your specialist can bill your insurance like usual.

Peace of Mind, Even with Insurance

We encourage our members to pair their DPC membership with a high-deductible health insurance plan or health sharing ministry to cover hospitalizations or major medical needs. But here’s the truth: about 90% of your care happens at the primary care level.

When you:

  • Have a doctor you trust,

  • Can be seen quickly when you're sick,

  • Get help managing stress, hormones, weight, or chronic illness…

...you’re investing in better health—and avoiding more serious problems down the road.

The Bottom Line: Insurance is Not the Same as Care

At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we’re redefining what it means to have a personal physician. Our Direct Primary Care model gives you:

  • Unrushed visits

  • Transparent pricing

  • Real relationships with your doctor

  • The freedom to make decisions based on health, not billing codes

Insurance is a backup plan.
DPC is your care plan.

Ready to experience the difference? Join our practice today or schedule a free consultation to learn more.

⚖️ Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult with a licensed physician regarding your personal health.

Last Updated: June 28, 2025

What can Zion Asher Family Physicians do for my business?

Health insurance costs are one of the biggest financial burdens for small and mid-sized businesses today. Premiums keep rising, but employee access to timely, high-quality care doesn’t always improve. That’s where Direct Primary Care (DPC) comes in.

At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we partner with businesses to lower healthcare costs, improve employee wellness, and reduce absenteeism—without sacrificing care.

The Problem with Traditional Insurance Plans

Most businesses are stuck between two difficult choices:

  • Pay high premiums for group insurance plans that employees rarely use efficiently

  • Or offer minimal coverage and risk unhappy, unhealthy employees

But there’s a smarter solution—pairing Direct Primary Care with a self-funded insurance plan.

How Direct Primary Care Saves You Money

DPC provides most of your employees’ everyday healthcare—without insurance claims. That includes:

  • Same-day or next-day visits

  • Virtual care via phone or video

  • Affordable labs and medications

  • Preventive care and chronic disease management

Because these services are handled directly through us, your self-funded insurance plan isn’t tapped for the majority of claims. That leaves more of your claims pool untouched—and eligible for return.

Businesses that use this model with DPC practices like Atlas MD in Wichita have reported 25–50% of their claim pool refunded at the end of the year. That’s money you can reinvest in:

  • Hiring key staff

  • Product development

  • Expanding operations

All while offering a healthcare benefit your team actually values and uses.

What Makes Zion Asher Different for Employers?

We work with businesses across southwest Missouri to design healthcare solutions that work. Here’s what you get:

  • Discounted rates for businesses enrolling 2 or more employees

  • No copays, no billing codes, no insurance paperwork

  • 24/7 access for urgent concerns—no unnecessary ER trips

  • Flexible scheduling that keeps your employees on the job, not stuck in a waiting room

  • A local partner who understands the unique needs of rural businesses and working families

Happier, Healthier Employees = A Stronger Business

When your team has quick access to care, they miss fewer days of work—and recover faster when they’re sick. Our personalized, prevention-focused approach also helps reduce long-term costs by catching issues early.

The Bottom Line

Direct Primary Care helps your business spend less on healthcare and get more in return.
And your employees get high-quality, relationship-based care that’s convenient, compassionate, and effective.

Ready to explore how Zion Asher Family Physicians can help your business thrive?
You're not alone—businesses right here in Lawrence County are already seeing the benefits of combining Direct Primary Care with smarter health plans.
Contact us to learn more or set up a free consultation.

⚖️ Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult with a licensed physician regarding your personal health.

Last Updated: June 28, 2025

What if I need to see a specialist?

This is a question we get often—and it’s a valid one.

“If I’m a member of Zion Asher Family Physicians, what happens when I need care beyond primary care?”

Let’s walk you through it.

Why Patients Get Referred So Often in Traditional Clinics

In most insurance-based clinics, physicians are expected to see 24–40 patients a day. That’s a packed schedule with little time for complex cases or digging into root causes.

Because of this:

  • Doctors are pressured to refer quickly, even for issues that could be handled in primary care

  • Appointments are often rushed, averaging just 7–12 minutes

  • Patients end up bouncing between offices, specialists, and bills

What’s Different at Zion Asher Family Physicians?

We’re a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice, which means:

  • We limit our patient panel so you get more time

  • You can reach us by phone, or secure messaging

  • Same-day or next-day visits are the norm

  • We can often solve problems that would’ve been referred out elsewhere

This means fewer unnecessary referrals, less cost, and better continuity of care.

But What If You Do Need a Specialist?

We’ve got options—because sometimes specialty care is the right call.

1. Virtual Specialist Opinions

We have access to a nationwide network of board-certified specialists who can review your case electronically—without you needing to leave your home or take time off work.
These e-consults are:

  • Fast

  • Affordable ($30-$90)

  • A great “in-between” option before a full referral

2. In-Person Specialist Referrals

If you need an in-person visit:

  • You’re free to use your existing insurance plan to cover specialty care

  • If you're uninsured or prefer to pay cash, we’ll connect you with specialist clinics that offer cash-pay discounts

  • We’ve curated a list of trusted providers both locally and online that offer transparent pricing

In either case, we’ll help coordinate your referral so you feel supported—not left on your own to navigate the system.

The Bottom Line

At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we don’t just offer an alternative to the current system—we offer a smarter, more personal way to navigate it.

We’re here to help you avoid unnecessary referrals, reduce costs, and get the right care at the right time—without the red tape.

🔗 Related:

Why We Don’t Accept Insurance
How DPC Saves Businesses Money

⚖️ Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult with a licensed physician regarding your personal health.

Last Updated: June 29, 2025

Why does Zion Asher Family Physicians not accept insurance?

The short answer?
Insurance complicates everything—and makes healthcare more expensive and less personal.

Let us explain.

Health Insurance Was Meant for the Big Stuff

Think of health insurance like car insurance. You don’t expect your auto policy to pay for oil changes or brake pads. You use it when something major happens—like an accident or a natural disaster.

Health insurance was originally designed the same way:
To protect you from catastrophic costs, like surgery or hospitalization.

But over time, insurance began covering routine care like doctor visits, labs, and basic medications. While that sounds helpful on the surface, it actually introduced a mountain of paperwork, billing codes, and middlemen—and those layers drive up the cost of care for everyone.

How Insurance Interferes with Your Care

When a clinic accepts insurance, the doctor has to:

  • Meet insurance company requirements before ordering labs, imaging, or meds

  • Follow "approved" treatment plans—even when they aren't the best option

  • See more patients in less time just to stay financially afloat

  • Hire extra staff just to handle billing, prior authorizations, and denials

This results in:

  • Short visits (often under 15 minutes)

  • Delayed care because of paperwork

  • Less time for listening, problem-solving, and prevention

And worst of all? You’re still paying more, even with insurance. A year’s membership for an individual is usually less than $1,500, compared to the average annual cost of $8,951 for a single coverage health insurance premium—or $25,572 for family coverage—according to the 2024 Kaiser Family Foundation Employer Health Benefits Survey.

Why We Don’t Accept Insurance—and What You Get Instead

At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we’ve opted out of the insurance treadmill so we can provide care that actually works—for you.

By not billing insurance, we can offer:

  • Same-day or next-day visits

  • Longer appointments (30–60 minutes, not 10), if needed

  • Transparent pricing—no surprise bills or hidden fees

  • Virtual care when you need it

  • Affordable labs, medications, and procedures—often cheaper than using insurance

Because we work directly for you—not the insurance company—we can focus on what actually helps you feel better and stay healthy.

Real Care, Not Red Tape

We believe healthcare should be simple, honest, and focused on your needs—not insurance company profits.

Our Direct Primary Care model restores that simplicity. You pay a flat monthly membership for unlimited access to care, and we take care of the rest.

No billing games.
No delays.
Just care that puts you first.

Curious what this looks like in real life? Learn how we’re helping local families and businesses thrive with better care.

⚖️ Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult with a licensed physician regarding your personal health.

Last Updated: June 29, 2025