Frequently Asked Questions

NoMi Beach Health (NBH) is a concierge-paced medical practice headquartered in North Miami Beach, Florida. We provide primary care, endocrinology, men's health, medical weight loss, hormone optimization, mental health, dermatology, aesthetics, and functional medicine, both in person and via telehealth across 17 states.

Primary care, endocrinology and metabolic health, men's health (TRT, ED, hormone optimization), medical weight loss with GLP-1 medications, women's hormone therapy and perimenopause care, mental health, dermatology, medical aesthetics (Botox, filler, PDO threads, microneedling), functional medicine (peptides, NAD+, IV therapy, exosomes), and lab work. Browse the Services page for the full list.

Our headquarters and in-person clinic is in North Miami Beach, Florida. Telehealth is available across Florida, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming.

North Miami Beach clinic: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST. Telehealth visits run during the same business hours. Call (786) 744-5152 if you need to confirm.

Dr. Jezwah Harris (NP, JD, MBA, FNP-BC, MEP-C) is the founder and lead clinician. Lucas Tonies, NP, focuses on primary care, telemedicine, and weight loss. Dr. Christopher Maxwell, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician. Bios and licensure details are on the Providers page.

We accept walk-ins at the North Miami Beach clinic for select services when our schedule allows, but appointments are strongly recommended. Booking ahead means a shorter wait and a longer visit. Schedule online at https://phreesia.me/SSNBH or call (786) 744-5152.

Your first visit is a 30 to 45 minute new-patient consultation. We review your full history, current medications, goals, and any prior labs or imaging. Most patients leave with an initial plan and lab orders. Some treatments require labs and a follow-up before we prescribe.

Bring a photo ID, your insurance card if you plan to use insurance, a list of current medications and supplements, and any recent lab work or imaging from the last 12 months. If you are coming for hormone or weight-loss care, bringing prior labs saves time and money.

No referral is generally needed. You can schedule directly by calling (786) 744-5152 or booking online through our Phreesia portal. If you are a member of an HMO, you'll need to change your primary care provider to NoMi Beach Health to be seen — once we're your PCP, no referral is required.

Yes. After you book, you will receive intake forms through Phreesia (online scheduling) and Athenahealth (your patient portal). Completing them before your visit means we spend the appointment on you, not on data entry.

Yes. Many patients move their primary care to us, especially if they want longer visits, direct portal access to their clinician, and continuity. For HMO plans, you may need to call your insurance carrier and update your PCP to NBH before your first visit.

Book online through our Phreesia portal at https://phreesia.me/SSNBH, call (786) 744-5152, or visit the North Miami Beach office in person.

New-patient visits are 30 to 45 minutes. Established follow-ups are 15 to 30 minutes depending on complexity. Aesthetic procedures and infusions vary by service. We do not double-book.

We require at least 48 hours notice to cancel or reschedule. Late cancellations, no-shows, or rescheduling within the 48-hour window may result in a fee or loss of your deposit. Full details are on the Cancellation Policy page.

Call us as soon as you know. Arriving more than 10 minutes late may require rescheduling and may incur a late fee, since it pushes every patient behind us off schedule.

Yes. You are welcome to bring a support person to any appointment. For sensitive visits (hormone, mental health, sexual health), let us know in advance so we can arrange the room appropriately.

We hold a limited number of same-day slots for established patients with acute issues. Call (786) 744-5152 first thing in the morning for the best chance of a same-day visit. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Florida, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wyoming. You must be physically located in one of these states at the time of your visit.

Most of our services run well over telehealth: primary care follow-ups, men's health, weight loss management, hormone optimization, mental health, prescription management, and lab review. In-person visits are required for procedures, injections, aesthetics, and most physical exams.

A phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection, and a private space. You will receive a secure link through your Athenahealth patient portal before the visit.

Some controlled medications can be prescribed via telehealth under current federal and state rules, but many require an in-person visit first. We will tell you up front during your consultation what is and is not possible based on the medication and your state.

Our portal is Athenahealth. You will receive an invitation by email after you book your first visit. If you cannot find it, call (786) 744-5152 and we will resend.

We accept several major insurance plans for primary care and certain medical services. Aesthetics, weight loss, hormone optimization, and most wellness services are cash-pay. The full list of plans we accept is on the Insurance page. Call (786) 744-5152 to verify your specific coverage before your visit.

You can still be seen as a self-pay patient. We post transparent cash pricing at intake and can provide a superbill so you can submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement if your plan allows.

It depends on the service, your insurance, and whether labs or procedures are part of the visit. We give you the price before any service is performed. There are no surprise bills.

Yes. We accept HSA and FSA cards for eligible medical services. Some elective and aesthetic services do not qualify under IRS rules; we will tell you before you pay.

Coverage for Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) varies widely by plan. Many commercial plans require prior authorization and a documented BMI threshold. We help with the paperwork, but we cannot guarantee approval. If your plan does not cover it, cash-pay options are available.

We accept Medicare for select services. We do not currently accept Medicaid. Call (786) 744-5152 to confirm before booking.

We work with two patient financing partners: Cherry and CareCredit. Both let you spread payments over time. Apply online before your visit so the funds are ready at checkout.

Cherry is a buy-now-pay-later option built for healthcare. It offers quick approvals with a soft credit check that does not affect your credit score, and 0% APR plans are available for qualified patients. Apply at the Cherry page on our site.

CareCredit by Synchrony is a healthcare credit card with promotional financing periods (often 6 to 24 months at 0% interest if paid in full). Apply online at the CareCredit page on our site or in our office.

Cherry is often easier for shorter, smaller balances and patients who want a soft credit pull. CareCredit can offer longer 0% promotional periods for larger treatment plans. We can walk you through both at checkout.

Yes. You can pay your portion through Cherry or CareCredit even if insurance covers part of your visit, and either option can stack with our membership pricing.

Three plans, all month-to-month. Basic Membership gives you discounted labs, procedures, and imaging. Primary Care Membership includes unlimited telehealth and in-office primary care visits, routine labs, and an annual wellness exam. Weight Loss Membership bundles GLP-1 medication, provider visits, and tracking. Details on the Memberships page.

No. Memberships are open to everyone, with or without insurance. They are particularly useful if you are uninsured, have a high-deductible plan, or want predictable monthly pricing.

No. All plans are month-to-month with no contracts and no cancellation fees. Cancel anytime through your Hint portal.

Yes. Membership covers our internal pricing and bundled services. We can still bill your insurance for covered services rendered during your visits.

Click any Sign Up button on the Memberships page. You will be routed to our Hint portal to create an account and select your plan. Most patients are enrolled in under 5 minutes.

Annual wellness exams, sick visits, chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, thyroid), preventive screening, vaccines, sports physicals, women's health, men's health, mental health screening, and referral coordination. We focus on long visits and continuity with the same clinician.

Most adults benefit from a comprehensive wellness exam once a year. If you have chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease, you will likely come in 2 to 4 times a year for monitoring.

Yes. We see established patients for acute issues including respiratory infections, UTIs, sinus infections, GI symptoms, skin infections, and minor injuries. Same-day slots are limited; call early.

Yes, this is core to our practice. We manage type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, and metabolic syndrome with medication, labs, and lifestyle support, with frequent check-ins to keep numbers on target.

We offer routine adult vaccines (flu, Tdap, shingles, pneumococcal, HPV, COVID). For specialty travel vaccines like yellow fever, we refer to a designated travel clinic.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a medically supervised treatment for men with confirmed low testosterone and matching symptoms. The American Urological Association defines low T as a total testosterone below 300 ng/dL on two separate morning blood draws, paired with symptoms like low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, or loss of muscle mass.

We require two separate morning blood draws plus a symptom history. Afternoon labs run lower than morning labs because testosterone follows a daily curve, so a single afternoon number is not a diagnosis. We also screen for reversible causes like sleep apnea, obesity, opioids, and thyroid disease before starting TRT.

TRT is not appropriate if your testosterone is normal, if you are actively trying to conceive (it suppresses sperm production), or if you have untreated prostate cancer, severe sleep apnea, high hematocrit, or certain heart conditions. We screen for all of these before treating.

Labs at week 6, month 3, and twice a year after that. We track total testosterone, estradiol, hematocrit, PSA (in men over 40), and lipids. If your numbers drift outside the safe range, we adjust the dose or stop treatment.

Yes. We treat erectile dysfunction with oral medications (sildenafil, tadalafil), TriMix injections when appropriate, and lifestyle work. Premature ejaculation, performance anxiety, and low libido are treated with a mix of medication, hormones if indicated, and counseling. We do a full workup -- ED can be the first sign of cardiovascular disease.

Yes. Every visit is HIPAA-protected. Telehealth options are available if you prefer privacy from a workplace or home setting. Bring up anything; nothing leaves the chart.

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist; Zepbound (tirzepatide) is a dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist. Both slow gastric emptying, reduce appetite, and improve insulin sensitivity. Tirzepatide tends to outperform semaglutide on weight loss in head-to-head data, but it is newer and often more expensive.

We do not promise specific outcomes. In published trials, semaglutide produced average weight loss around 15% of body weight at 68 weeks (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183), and tirzepatide 15 mg produced around 20.9% at 72 weeks (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038). Individual results vary widely based on dose, adherence, diet, and other factors.

FDA labeling supports use for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27 or above with a weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea. We also evaluate thyroid history, GI conditions, and pregnancy status before prescribing.

Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, and fatigue, especially during dose increases. Most side effects fade within a few weeks. We start low, titrate slowly, and adjust the plan if symptoms are not tolerable. Rare but serious risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder issues.

Most patients regain a meaningful portion of lost weight within a year of stopping if no other plan is in place. We talk about long-term strategy from the first visit, including maintenance dosing, off-ramp plans, and what to do if you want to come off.

No specific diet is required, but the medication works best with adequate protein, fiber, and hydration. Skipping protein is the fastest way to lose muscle along with fat. We provide nutritional guidance with the Weight Loss Membership.

Yes. We diagnose and manage hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's, and Graves' disease using TSH, free T4, free T3, and antibody testing. Treatment includes levothyroxine, liothyronine, or combination therapy when appropriate, with follow-up labs every 6 to 8 weeks during titration.

Yes. We treat type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome with a combination of GLP-1 agonists, metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, insulin when needed, and lifestyle work. We track A1c, fasting glucose, and continuous glucose monitor data when available.

Insulin resistance means your cells respond poorly to insulin, which drives weight gain, high triglycerides, and prediabetes. We test it directly with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, then treat with diet changes, exercise, metformin, GLP-1 medications, and sometimes berberine or peptides.

We evaluate adrenal function with morning cortisol, ACTH, and DHEA-S when symptoms suggest it. We do not endorse the loose diagnosis of "adrenal fatigue," which is not recognized by endocrinology, but we do work up real adrenal insufficiency and refer to endocrinology for complex cases.

Yes. We can order full thyroid panels, sex hormones, adrenal hormones, vitamin D, fasting insulin, A1c, lipid subfractions, and genetic testing through Quest, Labcorp, or specialty labs. Labs can be drawn at our clinic or near you.

Botox and other neuromodulators, dermal filler (lip, cheek, chin, jaw, under-eye, temple, hand), non-surgical rhinoplasty, PDO thread lifts, microneedling, chemical peels, Kybella for double chin, hair restoration, and regenerative treatments like PRP and exosomes.

Most patients see results within 3 to 7 days, peaking around 2 weeks. Effects typically last 3 to 4 months, though this varies with dose, area treated, and metabolism. We do not promise an exact duration.

Hyaluronic acid fillers (Juvederm, Restylane, RHA, Versa) typically last 6 to 18 months depending on the product and area treated. Lip filler often metabolizes faster than cheek or jaw filler. Filler can be dissolved if needed using hyaluronidase.

Our approach is conservative and feature-enhancing. We would rather under-treat at the first visit and add later than overcorrect. If you want a heavily augmented look, we will discuss whether that goal is realistic and safe.

Botox: minimal, no downtime. Filler: bruising and swelling for 3 to 7 days possible. Microneedling: redness for 24 to 48 hours. PDO threads: tenderness and bruising for 7 to 14 days. We give specific aftercare instructions for each treatment.

Do not have aesthetic injections if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an active skin infection in the area, are on certain blood thinners without clearance, or have a history of severe allergic reactions to filler ingredients. We screen for contraindications at every visit.

Yes. We treat acne with topical retinoids, antibiotics, hormonal therapy when indicated, oral isotretinoin for severe cases, and procedural support like chemical peels. We work up the underlying cause -- hormones, PCOS, products -- rather than just suppressing breakouts.

Yes. Rosacea is treated with topicals (azelaic acid, ivermectin, brimonidine), oral medications, and laser when appropriate. Eczema and psoriasis are treated with topical steroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and biologic referrals for severe cases.

Yes. Full-body skin checks are performed by a clinician trained to identify suspicious lesions. We can biopsy in office and refer to dermatologic surgery if a lesion needs Mohs or excisional removal.

Yes. We remove benign skin tags, cherry angiomas, and smaller lesions in office. Anything suspicious is biopsied and sent to pathology before removal so we can plan the right margin.

Yes. We use prescription topicals (hydroquinone, tretinoin, azelaic acid, cysteamine), chemical peels, and microneedling. Melasma is stubborn and often hormonal -- we set expectations honestly and treat the trigger when we can find it.

Yes. We treat perimenopause and menopause with FDA-approved estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone when indicated, in oral, transdermal, or vaginal forms. We follow Endocrine Society and Menopause Society guidance and personalize based on your symptoms, history, and risk profile.

Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, mood changes, brain fog, vaginal dryness, low libido, and accelerated bone loss. HRT does not treat every midlife symptom, and we are honest about what it will and will not change.

For most women starting HRT within 10 years of menopause and under age 60, the benefits typically outweigh the risks (https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/professional/nams-2022-hormone-therapy-position-statement.pdf). We screen for breast cancer history, clotting risk, and cardiovascular history before starting and review risk every year.

Yes, when symptoms (low libido, low energy, low motivation) and labs support it. Female testosterone dosing is a fraction of male dosing and is monitored carefully. We use compounded or off-label preparations because there is no FDA-approved testosterone product specifically for women in the US.

Yes. We prescribe and manage all major forms of birth control (pills, patch, ring, IUDs, hormonal injections, and we coordinate IUD placement). We also handle routine GYN concerns; complex GYN issues are referred to a specialist.

Yes. We diagnose and manage anxiety, depression, and related mood disorders with SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, and other evidence-based medications. We also coordinate with therapists. Medication is one tool; it works best alongside therapy and lifestyle change.

Yes. We do full ADHD evaluations for adults, including symptom history, screening tools, and medical workup to rule out other causes (sleep, thyroid, anemia, depression). Stimulant prescriptions require an established patient relationship and follow state-specific telehealth rules.

Yes, for treatment-resistant depression and certain anxiety conditions. Ketamine is delivered in a monitored setting and is not appropriate for every patient. We screen carefully for cardiovascular, substance use, and psychiatric history before offering it.

Yes for non-controlled medications. Controlled medications (Adderall, Vyvanse, benzodiazepines, ketamine) follow state and federal rules; some require an in-person visit before we can prescribe.

We are primary care and integrated health, not a psychiatry practice. We treat common mental health conditions and refer out for complex cases (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, severe trauma). We always recommend therapy alongside medication.

Yes, IV and injectable NAD+ are available. NAD+ is involved in cellular energy and DNA repair. Human evidence for clinical outcomes from IV NAD+ is still limited, and we are honest about that. Patients often report improved energy and mental clarity, but we do not claim it reverses aging.

We work with peptides like sermorelin, ipamorelin, tesamorelin, BPC-157 (where legal), and others, depending on your goal (recovery, sleep, body composition). Peptide regulation is changing rapidly and we only prescribe what is currently legal and clinically defensible.

Standard formulations include B-complex, vitamin C, magnesium, glutathione, and amino acids. We customize based on labs and goals. IV vitamins are not a substitute for treating an underlying deficiency or condition; they complement, they do not replace.

Yes, for hair restoration, skin regeneration, and select musculoskeletal applications. Exosomes are an evolving area; we use them where the evidence is strongest and tell you what is established versus emerging.

Yes. We coordinate Prenuvo whole-body MRI screening for patients who want a comprehensive imaging baseline. This is elective screening, not a substitute for age-appropriate cancer screening, and we discuss the limitations (false positives, incidental findings) before you book.

Yes. We order pharmacogenomic panels (how you metabolize medications), carrier screening, and select disease-risk panels through partner labs. Results are reviewed with you in a follow-up so the data actually changes your care plan.

The fastest way is to message your provider through the Athenahealth patient portal. You can also call (786) 744-5152 or have your pharmacy fax a refill request. Allow 2 to 3 business days.

Controlled substances (stimulants, benzodiazepines, testosterone, ketamine) follow strict state and federal rules. We require an established patient relationship, current labs where applicable, and visit cadence as required by law. We do not refill without evaluation.

We send prescriptions to whichever pharmacy you prefer, including local retail pharmacies, mail-order, and compounding pharmacies for items like testosterone, peptides, or compounded GLP-1 medications.

No. We do not prescribe for patients we have not evaluated. New prescriptions require an established visit, and most chronic medications require periodic follow-up before refills are renewed.

If your insurance requires prior authorization, our team will submit the paperwork. Approvals can take a few days to a few weeks depending on the plan and medication. We will let you know the status through the portal.

We follow HIPAA and federal privacy rules. Your records live in Athenahealth, an encrypted electronic health record. Staff access is role-based and audited. Our full Notice of Privacy Practices is on the HIPAA Notice page.

Only the clinicians and staff directly involved in your care. We do not share information with employers, family members, or third parties without your written authorization, except where required by law.

Yes. Our telehealth platform is HIPAA-compliant and end-to-end encrypted. We recommend taking your visit from a private space and not from public Wi-Fi when possible.

Yes. Request records through the Athenahealth portal or call (786) 744-5152. Most requests are completed within 30 days as required by HIPAA. There may be a small fee for paper copies.

Labs can be drawn in our North Miami Beach clinic during business hours, or at any Quest or Labcorp location near you. Telehealth patients are sent an order they can use at the lab of their choice.

Routine labs return within 24 to 72 hours. Specialty panels (genetic, hormone subtypes, micronutrients) can take 7 to 14 days. Results post to your Athenahealth portal as soon as they arrive, and your clinician messages you with the interpretation.

Fasting (8 to 12 hours of water only) is required for accurate fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid panels. Hormone labs typically need to be drawn in the morning. We tell you exactly what to do when we send the order.

Yes, and we encourage it. Bringing labs from the last 12 months saves time and money and gives us a baseline. Send PDFs through the portal or upload during intake.

Your clinician reviews every result and contacts you with a plan, even if the result is borderline. If it is urgent, we call you the same day. If it is routine, we message you through the portal with next steps.