Let’s face it, going to the doctor is no easy feat these days — from rushed visits with your provider to waiting days (or even weeks) to get a simple answer to a question. Enter Brightmark Health, a brand-new primary care practice in Birmingham, AL, that aims to bring the patient back to the forefront of healthcare. We sat down with founder Joseph Wu, MD, to learn more about his newly opened clinic and why concierge medicine might be the best option for some patients!
With over 20 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient care, Dr. Wu is no stranger to the medical field. After experiencing significant burnout and exhaustion from dealing with the headaches often associated with insurance companies, he wanted to return to providing compassionate, personalized medical care.
“Through Brightmark Health, I can actually get back to what I wanted to do in medicine in the first place, which was to actually care for people and help them,” says Dr. Wu.
When you first enter the Brightmark Health office, you’re immediately greeted by a brightly colored interior. Gone are the days of cold, stark white waiting rooms. And, since Brightmark Health is a small, boutique practice, you’re almost immediately taken back to the examination room after checking in.
During your appointment, you’ll never feel rushed, ignored, or overlooked. Appointment slots are 20, 40, or 60 minutes — significantly more than the average doctor’s visit — allowing ample time for high-quality, personalized care and for Dr. Wu to answer any questions patients might have.
“Patients are getting as much time as they want to get their questions answered or to come up with a collaborative plan of care for their health, be it prevention or problem-focused,” says Dr. Wu.
Despite being a small, one-doctor clinic with two employees, Dr. Wu says Brightmark Health still has the means to offer the same care as other primary care providers and even urgent care centers in the Birmingham area. This includes services like drawing blood, vaccinations, and giving IV fluids.
“My goal for patients is to never have to go to urgent care. I want them to use the ER only for true emergencies,” Dr. Wu tells us. “If it’s something that we can do, I’m going to try to get you in when you want to be seen, as opposed to saying, ‘Okay, you need to wait two weeks to see me.’”
On the off chance Brightmark Health cannot provide care to a patient, Dr. Wu’s experience working in various Birmingham hospitals has helped him develop strong relationships with other providers and specialists in the area, so he can refer patients directly when necessary.
“I have developed relationships with a lot of excellent specialists in town,” says Dr. Wu. “That’s something a lot of doctors don’t have these days because they don’t know many people personally.”
Perhaps one of the biggest draws of Brightmark Health is its cash-only membership options. Not only does this eliminate the headache of dealing with insurance, but you’ll always know exactly how much you’re paying with each visit.
The standard membership option is $50 a month and includes hourly rates for office visits. “This is great for younger people who want to have a concierge doctor but don’t want to shell out $2,000 a year,” says Dr. Wu. “It’s a more appropriate price point, and we’re still going to provide the same high-quality care.”
Meanwhile, Brightmark Health’s premium membership is $200 per month, a flat rate for all visits during that period. This option gives priority scheduling and offers unlimited visits, making it ideal for older patients or those with more complicated health problems, as they’ll not be charged more than the $200 monthly fee.
“I’m not aiming for this to be a big practice with 3,000 patients,” adds Dr. Wu. “The reason why it’s membership-based and small is so I can still deliver individual attention to everybody. That’s what’s lacking in today’s medical world.”
If you value your time as money, Brightmark Health’s membership options and services will save you both. They’ll never double-book patients; they’ll take care of prescription refills within minutes, and a real person will answer the phone when you call.
“Everyone who works here knows how to communicate well with patients, and I think that’s the biggest thing — just having people here who want to be here,” says Dr. Wu. “We really want to take care of you, and you can see and feel that when you come in.”
Brightmark Health is located at 400 Century Park S, Suite 200, Birmingham, AL 35226. To learn more, visit brightmarkhealth.com or call (205) 900-0888.
This article is sponsored by Brightmark Health.
