This article was written by Anna Daly Gamboa of BoiseDev.
A new health clinic on the Depot Bench in Boise opened earlier this year, following a no-insurance model.
In May, Wander Medicine opened its doors to new patients and is owned and operated by physicians and nurses.
Along with primary health care, Dr. William Brandenburg and his team offer urgent care, lab tests, infusion therapy and occupational and travel medicine.
Brandenburg said they tell patients the cost of services before appointments. Prices are alsolisted on their website.
“We want to see a world where people are never being bankrupt,” he said. “The way to do that is get out of the system and offer people something better.”
No insurance, membership models
Wander Medicine does not accept or require health insurance.
“We are all direct pay and the reason for that is because medical care under insurance has become unaffordable,” Brandenburg said.
For patients with Medicare or Medicaid, Wander can only provide health care that’s not covered on patients’ plans.
Wander Medicine also offers primary care memberships ranging from $60 – $85/month and $50/month or $500/year for students.
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“Our goal is to break the cycle of unaffordable health care and offer something sustainable.”
Membership benefits include 24/7 access to a primary care provider for urgent health problems.
COVID-19 Impacts
Brandenburg originally planned to open as a travel medicine clinic.
But because COVID-19 hit right before opening and travel has slowed down, they decided to open as a wellness clinic.
Wander Medicine is offering drive-thru COVID-19 and antibody testing.
The clinic is open for walk-ins and appointments Monday – Saturday. For more information on Wander Medicine, click here.
