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.

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.

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

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

Start the Year off Right!

It seems like towards the end of the year, starting in October, tasty temptations begin to be more in-your-face. The weather turns colder, and warm, creamy comfort foods are a way to beat the cold-weather blues. The holidays bring a plethora of sweet treats, and it can be hard to say no to them despite your best intentions. By the beginning of the new year, it is easy to become down on yourself about your food choices over the last few months. Indulging in the special flavors of the season doesn’t have to wreck you.

The new year is a great time to resolve to make healthy choices and implement small changes that can have a big impact on your health. If you make small, healthy changes that turn into habits, when the holidays come around again you can enjoy your favorite specialty foods without the guilt that can accompany them! For many people January and February are the slowest months of the year, making them the perfect time to focus on your health. Here are some easy tips to get you started:

Eat nutrient-dense foods

One of the most simple ways to impact your health in a positive way is to choose nutrient-dense foods. Lean meats, whole grains, nuts, legumes, vegetables, and fruits provide everything you need to get the nutrients your body requires and will help you eat the proper amount for your energy needs. Sufficient amounts of protein, fat, and fiber from whole foods naturally keep you full and reduce cravings.

Move your body

Exercise doesn’t have to be hours at the gym. To begin, it can be as small as a few laps around your living room or up and down your driveway or street. Making exercise a priority often quickly goes from a have-to task to something you look forward to and miss when it doesn’t happen. Regular exercise improves your mood, sleep quality, physique, and overall feeling of wellbeing. Taking it outside when you can will boost the benefits, as being in nature has been proven to have stress-reducing effects.

Resistance training is essential, since healthy muscle tissue improves every other aspect of your health. There are tons of free workout videos online, or you can pay a small fee to have access to a progressive program designed to systematically strengthen your entire body. Finding ways to incorporate active things you loved to do when you were younger can give you a boost in having a desire to get moving. 

When we feel motivated to change, it seems like overhauling your life all at once is the best option. While that can work for some people, most of us are more successful if we change small things a few at a time, until they become part of who we are. Set yourself up for success by choosing a few whole foods each day, drinking more water and finding an activity that you love. This year can be the year that you make lasting changes to improve your life!