Laurie Birkholz MD & Associates

About Laurie Birkholz MD & Associates

What is Laurie Birkholz MD & Associates?

Laurie Birkholz MD & Associates is a primary care office at 11971 James Street, Suite 120, in Holland, Michigan. Its prescribers are Dr. Laurie Birkholz, MD, and Angela Burch, PA-C. Patients join through one of two membership models, Concierge Medicine or Direct Primary Care. Google lists it with a 4.9 rating from 95 reviews.

The services are Women's Health & Menopause, Gynecology, Weight Management, Precision Medicine, Aesthetics, Nutrition, Sports Physicals, Concierge Medicine, Direct Primary Care, and Meet & Greet. Weight management is one of ten, and it runs as a six-month program called EMPOWER, led by Burch. She is a 23-year, Michigan Board Certified Physicians Assistant with a Certificate of Advanced Education from the Obesity Medicine Association. The program starts with a 60-minute visit, then 30-minute visits each month, with check-ins through the patient portal in between. The medications named are Contrave, Qsymia, Saxenda, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Branded drugs and off-label use of FDA-approved generics are prescribed when appropriate. In its own words: "No compounded medications are authorized within the Empower program."

It does not describe what Women's Health & Menopause, Precision Medicine, or Aesthetics involve beyond their names. It lists no hours and does not describe telehealth visits.

What does it cost?

EMPOWER totals $950 for non-members, $550 for Direct Primary Care members, and $400 for Concierge members. The initial evaluation is $295 for non-members and $95 for members. Follow-up visits are $150 for non-members and $55 for members. If you enroll the same day as the evaluation, that visit fee counts toward the program. The program is HSA eligible. Lab work can go to insurance where that applies, or be paid in cash at a significantly reduced rate, often 90% less.

It does not say whether medication is included in the program totals. It does not publish the membership fee for Concierge Medicine or Direct Primary Care, and it does not say whether insurance is accepted for visits or how cancellation works. A Meet & Greet appointment with either prescriber is complimentary, and you can book one at (616) 345-5263.

What should you ask before you book?

Ask whether the program total includes medication, and if not, what each drug costs per month. Ask whether the prescription is brand-name or an FDA-approved generic used off-label, since no compounded medication is authorized in EMPOWER. Ask who signs your prescriptions and how often you would see Dr. Birkholz compared with Burch. Ask what follow-up labs and body composition checks cost beyond the program total. Ask whether insurance covers any visits. Ask how cancellation works and what happens after the six months. Ask whether telehealth or evening appointments are available. Ask what a Concierge Medicine membership costs, since that fee is not posted.

Who is it a good fit for?

This is a good fit if you want in-person primary care with a set six-month weight plan and monthly check-ins, and you can pay the program fee or use an HSA. If you need telehealth, posted hours, or a clear answer on what medication adds to the cost, get those answers before you book.

Sources: lauriebirkholzmd.com, lauriebirkholzmd.com/weightmanagement, lauriebirkholzmd.com/blog/weightlossmedications

Services Offered

Location