Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Weight Management⁺ membership is a physician-guided metabolic health and weight optimization program focused on safe, sustainable fat loss, muscle preservation, and long-term metabolic improvement.

    It builds upon an Annual Optimization Bundle (AOB) foundation — including advanced labs and DexaFit physiological testing — and extends that data into a structured, longitudinal pathway with physician strategy, nutrition guidance, and ongoing accountability.

    Weight Management⁺ is a consultative health optimization program and does not replace primary care.

  • Annual Optimization Bundle (AOB) — Foundational Testing & Strategy

    • DexaFit 3-Test Bundle (DEXA body composition, VO₂ Max, and Resting Metabolic Rate)

    • Vitality Blueprint advanced functional blood work

    • 60-minute baseline physician strategy session with Dr. DeMarco

    Longitudinal Weight Management — Ongoing Support

    • Quarterly 60-minute physician strategy visits

    • Monthly virtual check-ins (10–15 minutes) for accountability

    • Initial 60-minute Registered Dietitian (RD) assessment and a 6-month follow-up 60-minute RD assessment.

    • Stelo continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) integration

    • Lumen metabolic analyzer onboarding and support

    • Follow-up DEXA body composition testing (every 4 months)

    • Second Vitality Blueprint lab panel (at 6 months)

    • Medication support when clinically appropriate

    • HealthBook⁺ universal health record with AI-supported insights

    • Secure messaging through Spruce

    • Member pricing on additional testing, consults, supplements, and advanced tools

    The program is designed to provide structure, accountability, and physician-guided strategy throughout the year.

  • Weight Management⁺ is a consultative metabolic health and fat-loss pathway and is not a primary care program.

    Participation in Weight Management⁺ does not establish a comprehensive primary care relationship and does not replace the role of your existing primary care physician or specialist providers. Members are expected to maintain an active relationship with a primary care provider for routine medical care, preventive screenings, vaccinations, acute illness evaluation, and urgent or emergent medical needs.

    Weight Management⁺ focuses on fat loss, lean mass preservation, metabolic reset, and metabolic health strategy through structured testing, data interpretation, and physician-guided planning. Services provided through Weight Management⁺ do not include acute care visits, emergency care, routine cancer screening programs, or immunizations.

    When clinically appropriate and within scope, Dr. DeMarco may prescribe select therapies related to metabolic optimization — which may include weight management medications, hormone therapy when appropriate, mood-support medications, or other treatments on an individualized, as-needed basis. All prescribing decisions are made at the sole clinical discretion of the physician and may require coordination with your existing medical providers.

    Weight Management⁺ is designed to collaborate with your current care team, helping interpret data, align strategies, and reduce duplication or gaps in care. Communication and recommendations may be shared with your primary care physician or specialists, with your consent, to support continuity and safety.

    For those who prefer an ongoing physician relationship that includes comprehensive primary care services and unlimited visits integrated with metabolic and longevity strategy, our Concierge Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership may be a better fit.

  • The Weight Management⁺ membership is designed for proactive individuals who want to take control of their health.

    Rather than one-size-fits-all medicine, the program delivers personalized, physiology-driven care built around your unique data, goals, and metabolic profile. The Weight Management⁺ membership focuses on:

    • Achieving safe, sustainable fat loss through a structured metabolic reset

    • Preserving lean mass while optimizing metabolic health

    • Using objective testing and biomarkers to guide long-term decisions

    Members often join because they want structured strategy, accountability, and ongoing refinement — elements that are rarely available within traditional healthcare models, which tend to focus primarily on acute issues rather than proactive optimization.

  • Weight Management⁺ is not traditional concierge medicine.

    It is a consultative metabolic health and fat-loss pathway built around advanced testing, physiology-driven data interpretation, and personalized lifestyle strategy rather than unlimited primary care access. While it does not function as a primary care program, Weight Management⁺ provides concierge-level consultative support, offering structured physician guidance, accountability, and ongoing strategy refinement designed to help you achieve safe, sustainable fat loss, preserve lean mass, and support a metabolic reset.

    For those who prefer an ongoing physician relationship that includes comprehensive primary care services and unlimited visits integrated with metabolic and longevity strategy, our Concierge Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership may be a better fit.

  • Weight Management⁺ is a direct-pay program and operates outside of traditional insurance.

    The membership itself is not billed to or reimbursed by insurance. In some cases, individual labs or imaging ordered separately may be submitted to insurance or paid through discounted cash pricing when appropriate. Certain services may be eligible for HSA or FSA use, depending on your plan — we recommend confirming eligibility with your benefits administrator.

  • Yes. Weight Management⁺ is a consultative metabolic health and fat-loss program and does not replace primary care, so Medicare beneficiaries are welcome to participate while maintaining an active relationship with their primary care physician. Because Weight Management⁺ operates outside of insurance and we do not bill Medicare, Medicare patients will be asked to sign a Medicare private contract / opt-out acknowledgment at enrollment confirming that services provided through the program are not submitted to Medicare for reimbursement.

  • Absolutely. Weight Management⁺ is designed to complement — not replace — your existing medical care. We strongly recommend that members continue receiving guidance from their primary care physician and appropriate specialty providers. Dr. DeMarco can help interpret results, provide strategic input, and coordinate recommendations, and referrals may be made when appropriate — always with the goal of maintaining clear communication and alignment with your primary care team to avoid duplication or gaps in care.

  • Some Weight Management⁺ services may be eligible for payment using HSA or FSA funds, depending on your individual plan and applicable IRS guidelines. Weight Management⁺ operates as a direct-pay program outside of insurance, and eligibility for HSA/FSA use is determined solely by your plan administrator. Patients are responsible for confirming allowable expenses and proper use of funds prior to payment.

  • Weight Management⁺ is a direct-pay program and operates outside of traditional insurance. The membership itself is not billed to, submitted to, or reimbursed by commercial insurance plans. When clinically appropriate, certain labs, imaging, or prescriptions ordered separately may be billed through your insurance or offered at discounted cash pricing; however, coverage decisions are determined solely by your insurance carrier.

    We strongly encourage members to maintain an active relationship with their primary care physician and continue using their insurance for routine medical care, preventive services, and specialist visits. Weight Management⁺ is designed to complement — not replace — your existing healthcare coverage by providing consultative, physiology-driven metabolic strategy and longitudinal guidance focused on fat loss, lean mass preservation, and metabolic reset.

  • Weight Management⁺ is a direct-pay, consultative metabolic health and fat-loss program and is not billed to Medicare. Participation requires signing a Medicare private contract/ opt-out acknowledgment, confirming that services provided through Weight Management⁺ will not be submitted to Medicare for reimbursement. Members are expected to maintain an active relationship with their primary care physician and continue using Medicare for routine medical care, preventive services, hospital care, and specialist visits. When clinically appropriate, certain labs, imaging, or prescriptions ordered outside of the membership may still be processed through Medicare, subject to standard coverage rules.

    Example: If you meet with Dr. DeMarco for a Weight Management⁺ strategy visit, your membership covers the consultation itself. If additional labs are ordered through LabCorp or Quest, they may be billed to Medicare when appropriate. If a prescription related to metabolic health or weight management is recommended, Medicare Part D (or your supplemental plan) may apply at the pharmacy. If you need evaluation for a new medical issue — such as joint pain, acute illness, or specialist care — those services would be handled through your primary care physician or specialist and billed through Medicare.

    The difference is that your Weight Management⁺ membership provides structured, physician-guided strategy focused on fat loss, lean mass preservation, and metabolic reset, while Medicare continues to cover routine medical care across the broader healthcare system.

  • All medical records and visit notes will be managed through Elation Health — a secure, clinician-focused EHR platform. You’ll have access to your personal record as needed, through an Elation-based portal, and through HealthBook+.

  • Yes — you will continue to have access to MyChart or other patient portals used by your existing healthcare providers. Weight Management⁺ does not replace those systems. We encourage members to use HealthBook⁺ as a universal health record to help organize information from multiple healthcare systems, wearable devices, and testing platforms in one place. HealthBook⁺ allows for more comprehensive data review and AI-supported insights to enhance longitudinal tracking and medical decision-making.

  • Weight Management⁺ members have access to secure messaging through Spruce, our HIPAA-compliant communication platform, for non-urgent questions, updates, and consultative guidance throughout the year. Messaging is intended for health optimization support and care coordination and is not a substitute for urgent or emergency medical care. Response times may vary based on clinical schedule, and members should contact their primary care provider, urgent care, or emergency services (call 911) for time-sensitive concerns.

  • Enrollment in Weight Management⁺ may begin either as a standalone program or after completing an Annual Optimization Bundle (AOB), once it is confirmed that the pathway aligns with your goals and expectations. Registration and membership management are completed through Hint Health, our secure membership platform. Participation requires review and electronic signature of the Weight Management⁺ Membership Agreement, informed consent documents, and applicable financial and policy acknowledgments prior to activation. Membership becomes active once all required forms are completed and initial payment is received. Availability may be limited to maintain appropriate physician access and program quality.

  • Weight Management⁺ includes a $500 annual onboarding fee and a $239 monthly membership. If you have already completed an Annual Optimization Bundle (AOB), a portion of that investment may be applied toward enrollment when applicable.

    Weight Management⁺ is a direct-pay program and is not billed to insurance. Pricing, program structure, and availability are subject to change and are confirmed at the time of enrollment through Hint Health.

  • Weight Management⁺ is a consultative program, so secure messaging may remain available when you are traveling or out of state, subject to applicable licensure and telehealth regulations. Weight Management⁺ does not provide urgent or acute medical care. For time-sensitive concerns, members should contact their primary care physician first or seek care through local urgent care or emergency services (call 911).

  • Weight Management⁺ is a consultative program and does not provide hospital-based or emergency medical care. If you experience a medical emergency or require hospitalization, call 911 or seek immediate care through your local emergency department. Members should also notify their primary care physician and hospital care team, as Weight Management⁺ is not a substitute for acute medical management.

  • Weight Management⁺ is designed for proactive individuals who want a personalized, physiology-driven approach to fat loss, lean mass preservation, and metabolic reset — not just reactive or one-size-fits-all care. It is often a strong fit for:

    • Adults seeking safe, sustainable fat loss and improved metabolic health

    • Individuals with metabolic concerns such as pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, visceral adiposity, or cardiometabolic risk

    • Active adults who want to lose body fat while preserving strength, muscle, and performance

    • Patients who value data-driven strategy, accountability, and longitudinal follow-up

    • Those who want coordinated guidance alongside — not instead of — their primary care and specialty providers

    Weight Management⁺ is best suited for individuals seeking structured metabolic optimization and consultative support rather than acute or urgent medical care.

    For those who prefer an ongoing physician relationship that includes comprehensive primary care services and unlimited visits integrated with metabolic and longevity strategy, our Concierge Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership may be a better fit.

  • As a board-certified family physician with 23+ years of experience, Dr. DeMarco offers support for:

    • Fat loss, metabolic reset, and preservation of lean mass

    • Prediabetes, insulin resistance, visceral adiposity, and cardiometabolic risk

    • Cholesterol optimization and metabolic health strategy

    • Lifestyle coaching for nutrition, exercise, and sustainable weight management

    • Lab review, diagnostic strategy, and physiology-driven decision-making

    • Fatigue, inflammation, and metabolic contributors to low energy

    • Behavioral strategy, accountability, and long-term habit change

    • Guidance on reducing unnecessary medications when clinically appropriate

    • Second opinions and data-driven clarity around metabolic health

    You get a physician who listens, investigates, and partners with you to build a structured, sustainable path toward improved metabolic health and body composition.

  • You may cancel your Weight Management⁺ membership with 30 days’ written notice (email is acceptable); however, Weight Management⁺ is structured as a 12-month commitment designed to provide the consistency and longitudinal support necessary for safe, sustainable fat loss and metabolic reset. Specific terms and financial obligations are outlined in the Weight Management⁺ Membership Agreement.

    If you’re paying monthly, there’s no additional penalty beyond the agreed program term — billing will continue through the remainder of the 12-month commitment, and access to Weight Management⁺ benefits will end after your final month of service.

    Patients may continue working with OptimizeMD and DexaFit Cincinnati through a-la-carte services, including Annual Optimization Bundles (AOB), individual testing, or physician-guided consults as needed, based on availability.

    The Lumen metabolic analyzer provided during the program will remain yours to keep.

  • At this time, Weight Management⁺ memberships are individualized and priced per person to ensure dedicated physician time, personalized planning, and program quality. While couples are welcome to participate together, each member enrolls separately under their own membership agreement.

  • At this time, Weight Management⁺ is designed primarily for adults and is not structured as a pediatric or primary care program. Participation for individuals under 18 may be considered on a limited, case-by-case basis and requires parental consent, appropriate clinical review, and alignment with the program’s consultative scope. Routine pediatric care, acute illness management, and preventive services should continue through the child’s primary care provider.

  • You are always welcome to access DexaFit Cincinnati testing and selected lab services on an a-la-carte basis without enrolling in Weight Management⁺. Many patients choose individual DEXA scans, VO₂ Max testing, metabolic testing, or advanced lab panels independently — with or without physician-guided reviews, depending on their preferences and goals.

    We also offer the Annual Optimization Bundle (AOB) as a once-yearly, comprehensive option that provides significant depth through advanced testing, labs, and physician strategy without requiring an ongoing membership. While the AOB delivers a detailed snapshot and personalized recommendations, it does not include the longitudinal follow-up, accountability, or ongoing consultative support that are signature elements of the Weight Management⁺ pathway.

  • Primary Care focuses on comprehensive medical management — including preventive screenings, chronic disease treatment, acute illness evaluation, vaccines, and coordination of routine healthcare needs. Weight Management⁺, by contrast, is a consultative metabolic health and fat-loss pathway designed to complement — not replace — primary care. It emphasizes advanced testing, physiology-driven strategy, fat loss, lean mass preservation, and metabolic reset rather than urgent or routine medical services.

    Members are encouraged to maintain an active relationship with their primary care physician for ongoing medical care, while Weight Management⁺ provides structured data interpretation, personalized strategy, and accountability — signature elements of the pathway. For individuals who prefer an integrated model that includes both comprehensive primary care services and metabolic optimization strategy, our Concierge Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership may be a better fit.

  • Many Weight Management⁺ members begin as DexaFit Cincinnati clients. If you’ve already completed testing or participated in an Annual Optimization Bundle (AOB), Weight Management⁺ builds on that foundation by adding structured physician strategy, longitudinal follow-up, and coordinated nutrition guidance focused on fat loss, lean mass preservation, and metabolic reset.

  • Yes — and in fact, Weight Management⁺ requires that members maintain an active relationship with a primary care physician. Weight Management⁺ is a consultative health optimization pathway and does not replace comprehensive primary care. Members should continue working with their PCP for routine medical care, preventive screenings, vaccines, acute concerns, and specialist referrals and ongoing management through their primary care team. When appropriate and with your consent, we may collaborate with your existing providers to support continuity, reduce duplication, and help minimize gaps in care.

    If you prefer to receive primary care services directly from Dr. DeMarco, you may consider enrolling in our Concierge Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership, which integrates comprehensive primary care with longevity-focused strategy.