Oakhaven Health Newsletter

May 2026 Edition -- Direct patient care that feels like family!

Practice news and updates

Spring at Oakhaven is here. Thank you so much for being part of our new start! We are honored to have you as part of our healthcare family. Dr. Jordan and Dr. Sullivan are both currently seeing patients, and we encourage you to invite friends and family to our practice.

In-house lab and pharmacy are now open!

We are thrilled to now offer both of these services to our patients of all ages, featuring steep discounts for our direct-pay members. We can also offer direct-pay labs and pharmacy services for Medicare-eligible patients who have opted out of Medicare for our services.

Doing this right here in our office offers you convenience, short wait times, and decreases any confusion that might occur at an independent lab draw station. Of course, you can still do your labs at independent stations like Labcorp and Quest. Our ultimate goal is to offer you the options that work best for you.

Patient availability and scheduling

We are still scheduling 30- and 60-minute visits as you need them, and we have selected spots where you can schedule online. We do, however, kindly ask that if you do not have an urgent need, please schedule your appointment 3 to 4 weeks out. This ensures we have room on the schedule for patients with immediate, urgent needs.

HSA/FSA compliance update

The “Big Beautiful Bill” Act, as of January 1, 2026, allows your DPC membership fees to be recognized as qualified medical expenses by the IRS. This means you can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay your monthly dues with pre-tax dollars. Depending on your tax situation, this is essentially like getting a 25% to 30% discount on your membership (depending on your tax situation).

DPC as a membership for your valued employees

If you own a business, we would love to talk with you! DPC membership is a low-cost, predictable, high-yield, and employee-pleasing benefit. When coupled with an HSA-compatible, high-deductible health plan, a DPC membership is increasingly seen as a highly cost-efficient option for many businesses.

Out-of-state college / Snowbird options

If you will be out of the state for more than two months of the year, we want to maintain continuity of care with you! This requires some planning, so please talk to us in advance so we can prepare together. Some states make it easy to stay in contact via telehealth, while others make it legally difficult, so advanced planning is key.

Health is a gift!

Have you considered giving a DPC membership to family members who do not have insurance (or are underinsured) as a gift for their day-to-day healthcare? Direct patient care can be a very affordable option and shows the important people in your life how much you care. Give us a call to set it up!

CLINICAL CORNER: Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a condition where your body has trouble managing blood sugar (glucose), which is the main energy source for your cells. Think of insulin as a “key” that unlocks the door to allow sugar into your cells. In the case of diabetes, the key is either missing, or—in the case of insulin resistance—the lock essentially doesn’t work right. This results in sugar building up in your blood instead of being used to fuel your body.

At Oakhaven Health, your DPC team provides unhurried, personalized care with direct access to your doctor to help you manage this condition.

Diagnosis and screening

You can find out if you have diabetes through simple blood tests:

A1c test: Measures your average blood sugar over the last 2 to 3 months. A result of 6.5% or higher usually indicates diabetes.

Fasting glucose: Measures blood sugar after you haven’t eaten overnight. A result of 126 mg/dL or more indicates diabetes.

Random test: A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or more at any time, especially if you have symptoms like extreme thirst or frequent urination.

Screening: If you are over 40 and overweight, or have other risk factors, you should be tested at least every three years. Here at Oakhaven, we usually recommend screening on an annual basis during your physical.

Complications: Why this is important

Cardiac and brain: Higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Eyes: Can cause blurry vision or even blindness (retinopathy).

Kidneys: Damage can lead to kidney failure (nephropathy).

Nerves in feet: Can cause numbness or tingling (neuropathy). This makes it harder to feel small cuts, which can lead to serious infections.

Treatment and management

While there is no “cure” yet, you can live a very healthy life by managing your sugar levels:

Healthy eating: It starts with a proper diet. Focus on whole grains, lean proteins, and vegetables. Try to avoid sugary drinks and highly processed foods.

Stay active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of movement, like brisk walking, each week. The American Heart Association strongly recommends this for everyone!

Medication: Some people need daily pills, injectables (like insulin), or newer medications like GLP-1 agents, which are incredibly helpful for weight control and helping the body utilize sugar correctly.

Do you have any specific symptoms, like unusual thirst or fatigue, that you’d like to discuss? Give us a call or reach out through your patient app.

Spread the word!

For those of you who have been to the office, we think you’ll agree that there is a wonderful atmosphere here. If our practice has been a benefit to you so far, please share your experience with family, friends, and on social media.

Thank you very much for allowing us to be a part of your care!