Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching

About Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching

What is Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching?

Essence of Health Wellness Clinic & Coaching is a cash-pay practice. In its own words: "Essence of Health is a Direct Care Concierge Practice." Dr. Shayla Toombs-Withers, DO, is the one person listed as its prescriber, and it lists her as board certified in obesity medicine. She founded the practice in Chattanooga, TN in 2019. It also has an office in Atlanta, GA, and members there can book in person.

The practice offers preventive wellness exams, chronic care evaluations with medication management, body composition analysis, a weight loss program, hormone health (including menopausal hormone therapy), and lifestyle and functional medicine. It also offers health, wellness and nutrition coaching. For weight management, the clinic names Wegovy (Semaglutide), Zepound (Tirzepatide), Saxenda (Liraglutide), Contrave, Topamax (Topiramate) and Metformin. Video visits are open to patients in a list of states that includes Tennessee and Georgia. The clinic has a 5 rating on Google from 23 reviews. It does not list office hours, and it does not name peptide therapy or longevity medicine.

This listing is for its Chattanooga office at 752 East Martin Luther King Boulevard.

What does it cost?

The new patient virtual evaluation is $199. That fee covers a 30 minute physician evaluation, metabolic lab testing, weight loss resources and access to a private discussion group. The ongoing membership is $99 per month. It covers quarterly video follow-ups, monthly check-ins, metabolic lab testing every six months and health coaching. The membership does not include medication. In its own words: "membership fee does not include the cost of the medication."

Paying up front lowers the monthly cost. A 6 month plan paid in full is $550 ($91.67 a month), and a 12 month plan paid in full is $999 ($83.25 a month). Extra video follow-ups are $75 for 20 minutes, and extra time is $75 per additional 15 minutes. The clinic does not bill insurance. It says HSA or FSA funds can be used, and that out of network benefits may help with reimbursement. Lab testing and imaging may be billed to insurance, or paid in cash at a discount. The clinic does not publish cancellation terms.

What should you ask before you book?

Ask what the medication costs each month, and where it comes from. The membership excludes the drug, and the clinic does not say whether its medications are brand name or compounded. Ask whether Dr. Toombs-Withers writes every prescription and handles every follow-up.

Ask which program you would be joining. The weight management services are described as part of a Lifestyle Medicine Membership Program, and the $99 monthly membership is listed separately. Ask whether these are the same plan and what each one costs. Ask what EKGs or outside labs cost if they are needed. Ask for the Atlanta office address and the office hours, since neither is published. Finally, ask how cancellation works and whether any fees apply.

Who is it a good fit for?

This is a good fit if you want a physician to manage weight loss or hormone care by video, you are willing to pay cash, and you are comfortable buying your medication separately. It is a weaker fit if you are looking for peptide therapy or longevity medicine, which the clinic does not name, or if you need a practice that bills your insurance.

Sources: essenceofhealthwellnessclinic.com/about, essenceofhealthwellnessclinic.com, essenceofhealthwellnessclinic.com/virtual-weight-loss, essenceofhealthwellnessclinic.com/membership

Services Offered