How Elevate Health Serves Both Cash-Pay and Insurance Patients

Written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C — Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Elevate Health and Wellness, serving patients across the Gulf Coast in Gautier, MS and Foley, AL.

Healthcare Access on the Gulf Coast: A Real Barrier

The Gulf Coast has some of the most significant healthcare access disparities in the United States — driven by a combination of rural geography, provider shortages, high rates of uninsured and underinsured adults, and a population that has historically faced significant economic and structural barriers to care. In Mississippi, approximately 10 to 12% of adults are uninsured — one of the higher rates in the nation. In Alabama, similar patterns exist, particularly in rural Baldwin and adjacent counties. At Elevate Health and Wellness, Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C has built a practice model that addresses these barriers directly — accepting insurance while remaining genuinely accessible to patients who cannot rely on it.

What Insurance-Based Care at Elevate Includes

Elevate Health and Wellness accepts most major insurance plans — including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi and Alabama, Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, and others — as well as Medicaid in Mississippi. For insured patients, primary care consultation visits, comprehensive lab work ordered as part of clinical evaluation, diagnostic ultrasound, urgent care visits, and preventive health services are submitted to insurance for reimbursement. Patients with insurance pay their applicable copay, deductible, or coinsurance amounts as determined by their specific plan. Kristy's team verifies insurance eligibility and benefits before each visit and communicates clearly about expected patient responsibility.

What Cash-Pay Care at Elevate Looks Like

For patients who are uninsured, whose insurance does not cover specific services, or who prefer to pay directly for their care, Elevate offers transparent cash-pay pricing for all services. Cash-pay rates are clearly communicated in advance so patients can make informed decisions about their care. IV therapy, elective ultrasound including gender reveal and 3D/4D sessions, specific lab panels not covered by insurance, and optional wellness services are available at straightforward cash-pay rates that reflect the actual cost of providing expert nurse practitioner-led care — not the inflated rates that characterize much of the fee-for-service healthcare system.

Telehealth: Expanding Access Across Both Models

Telehealth at Elevate extends access to both insured and cash-pay patients across Mississippi and Alabama who cannot easily reach one of the physical clinic locations. Both Mississippi and Alabama Medicaid programs cover telehealth for qualifying services. Commercial insurance plans are subject to telehealth parity laws in both states. And for cash-pay patients, telehealth visits are priced to be accessible — because reducing the cost and inconvenience of primary care access is central to Elevate's mission.

No Patient Left Without Options

The core commitment at Elevate Health and Wellness is that every Gulf Coast patient who needs expert primary care has a pathway to receive it — regardless of their insurance status, their zip code, or their financial situation. Whether that means billing your insurance, offering a cash-pay rate for a specific service, or connecting you to the telehealth visit that eliminates the need to drive across the county, Kristy and her team are committed to removing barriers rather than creating them.

Ready to schedule your visit at Elevate? Learn more about our primary care services in Gautier, MS and Foley, AL.

This article is written by Kristy Beard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Elevate Health and Wellness. Information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalized care.