Why Direct Primary Care Is Different — And Why It Matters for Your Family

If you’ve ever felt like you’re just a number in a waiting room, rushed through a 7-minute appointment, or bounced between providers at big health systems… you’re not alone.

At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we left that model on purpose — to build something better.

We practice Direct Primary Care (DPC), a modern version of old-school medicine:

• Care that’s personal

• Costs that are clear

• Doctors who know you

Here’s how it’s different — and why it matters more than ever.

1. One Doctor. Ongoing Relationship.

In insurance-based clinics, provider turnover is high. You may wait months to see someone new, only to start over at every visit. That means:

• No context from past visits

• Repeating your story again and again

• Missed warning signs that someone who knows you might catch

In our DPC model, you build a true relationship with your doctor.
We get to know you — your history, your family, your lifestyle, and your health goals — so we can care for you in a way that’s smarter, faster, and more personal.

2. More Time = Better Care

In the traditional system, most primary care visits are 7–12 minutes long. That’s barely enough time to skim a chart, ask a few questions, and hit “submit” on a prescription.

With us, visits are 30–60 minutes — sometimes more if needed.
We have time to:

• Dig deeper into your symptoms

• Order appropriate testing (including advanced hormone or metabolic panels)

• Discuss nutrition, stress, and long-term solutions

• Actually listen

Because when your doctor has time, you get answers — not band-aids.

3. Direct Access. No Waiting Weeks.

With insurance clinics, it can take 3+ weeks to get in.
With DPC, you message us directly.
Most of our patients are seen the same or next day, and you get direct access to your doctor through:

• Secure texting

• Phone calls

• Telehealth (yes, even from your tractor during harvest 🚜)

This level of access means problems get addressed early, not after they’ve turned into an ER visit.

4. More Than Just Prescriptions

Because we don’t answer to insurance companies, we offer things most primary care offices don’t:

• Advanced hormone & cortisol testing (like DUTCH testing)

• Nutrition & supplement plans tailored to your body

• PRP joint therapy

• Functional medicine consults

• Support for chronic fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, and more

And yes — we still do sick visits, lab work, referrals, and regular checkups. Just without the red tape.

5. Simple Pricing, No Surprise Bills

Our pricing is transparent:
A low monthly membership covers all routine care, urgent visits, and consults.
You’ll never get a surprise bill in the mail.

Extra services like specialty labs or joint injections are available at discounted rates for members, with full pricing shared up front.

6. Built for Working Families & Small Businesses

We created this clinic for people like us — those who don’t have time to fight the system, chase billing codes, or wait weeks for answers.

Our patients include:

• Busy parents who want consistent care for their kids

• Farmers and ranchers who need care that works with the rhythm of harvest and calving

• Small business owners offering affordable employee care

• People sick of being sick, who are finally ready to feel better

Ready for a Different Kind of Care?

If you’re tired of 1-800 numbers, rushed visits, and endless referrals, there’s a better way.

📍 We’re located in Mt. Vernon and serve families across Southwest Missouri.
🗓️ We offer free meet-and-greet visits — no pressure, just answers.

Zion Asher Family Physicians
Real doctors. Real care. No middlemen.

👉 Schedule your visit today by calling us at: (417) 730-1989

⚖️ 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.

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