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Healthcare for the People
About us
We are a BIPOC-owned Direct Primary Care practice, dedicated to placing humanity at the center of healthcare. Our mission is to ensure everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, regardless of their background.
Founded by a proud immigrant, Dr. Giselle Argento-Berrio, we strive to create a welcoming environment where individuals from all walks of life can fully express themselves and take control of their healthcare experience.
We recognize our current healthcare system is based on a long history of oppression and exclusion. We are committed to fostering trust and transparency, empowering patients to be the healthiest version of themselves. If you've ever felt dismissed, rushed, or discriminated against in traditional healthcare settings, we see you, welcome you and would be honored to care for you
For a low monthly fee, enjoy direct access to your doctor, after-hours availability, and wholesale prices on bloodwork and prescriptions. When you need a visit, you can schedule a pay for a visit at your convenience —no surprise bills, long waits, just comprehensive care tailored to you.
Adwuma (pronounced ah-joo-mah) means "hustle" or "work" in the Akan language of Twi, spoken in West Africa. The name embodies the spirit of hard work, sacrifice and determination of our communities. It resonates with Dr. Giselle's journey to becoming one of the 2% of physicians in the US that are Latina. Finally, the name is a promise, to work collaboratively for and with patients, honoring their lived experiences, inherent bodily wisdom, and integrate it with Western medical knowledge.
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct primary care (DPC) is an emerging healthcare model that puts patients front and center.
Adwuma Family Medicine joins more than 2,400 DPC practices nationwide where we skip the insurance claims and billing hassles; instead, you pay your doctor a subscription fee for your care.
This model allows for smaller patient loads, great flexibility and a more personal connection, so we can focus on delivering the individualized, patient-centered care you deserve when you need it.
Our Services
Wellness & Prevention
Sports physicals, geriatric assessments and family/caregiver visits, advanced care planning, well child/teen exams, employment physicals, pre-conception counseling, cancer screenings
Chronic Disease
Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma/COPD, thyroid, weight management, menopause, autoimmune conditions.
Gender Affirming Care
Wherever you are in your gender journey you are welcome here, we are proud to offer transfeminine, transmasculine and nonbinary care for medical transition
Acute & Urgent Care
UTIs, ear/sinus infections, rashes, pink eye, sprains and strains, migraine, stitches and more. Sickness doesn't fit the usual schedule and we are available without the wait.
Gynecological Care
Trauma-informed person-centered reproductive care including pap smears, colposcopy, endometrial biopsies, IUD, implants and contraception management.
Prenatal Care
Prenatal care up to 28 weeks gestation with unlimited point of care ultrasounds and coordination and transfer of care to delivering midwife or physician.
Mental Health
Anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, PMS/PME/PMDD, insomnia, mood swings and medication assistance treatment of addiction.
Ear Acupuncture
5-needle protocol ear acupuncture. also known as NADA-protocol or Acudetox. This medication-free intervention has evidence for support in treating addiction, anxiety, mood instability and reducing stress.
Office- Procedures
Dermoscopy of skin lesions Skin biopsies Toenail removal Cryotherapy ('freezing') of warts and lesions Mole, lesion, & skin tag removalCysts & lipoma removalAbscess drainage Laceration repair (stitches)Joint and trigger point injections Ear Acupuncture
Point of Care Ultrasound
Radiation-free office-based ultrasound to get a look anywhere in your body. Does not replace formal radiography services. It does allow us to get quick answers for ailments and learn more about your anatomy.
Dermoscopy
Non-invasive way to get a closer look at skin. A special tool called a dermatoscope, magnifies and illuminates the skin, revealing details not visible to the naked eye. Helping to spot issues like melanoma early.
Savings on Labs and Medications
We partner and share space with Black-owned independent lab, SRG Health Labs to bring wholesale cost of labs to patients. We've also negotiated wholesale pricing on medications and pass on those savings to you.
Pricing
We pride ourselves in being affordable, flexible and transparent in our pricing. We exist to balance access to this revolutionary model of care and tight budgets of our communities.
Enrollment
Tell us about your personal and family health history, medications and needs. Know you are not just joining a practice, but taking part in a revolution to make our broken system more equitable and human.
$50 per person($100 per group/family)
This is a one-time fee and it is nonrefundable
Membership
Like having a doctor in your family.You can call or text us with pictures, questions, refill requests. When you're unwell, rest assured that your doctor is just a phone call, email, or text message away.
$45 per month(+$35 each addl person)
Additional discounts if paying every 3, 6 or 12 months. You can cancel at anytime with 30 day notice and you will be refunded any pre-paid amount.
Visit Fees
Schedule appointments at your convenience, in days rather than weeks or months. If you're too sick, busy or injured to visit the clinic, we offer telehealth and home visits
$25- Telehealth$50- Office$75- Home (within Dane County)
We will NEVER turn down a member for a visit. Budget is short this month? Barter with food or services or add it to future membership invoice.
Meet the Doctor
A. Giselle Argento-Berrio, MD
Dr. Giselle is a Board-Certified Family Physician. She was born in Barranquilla, Colombia and immigrated to the Chicago suburbs at age 8. After high school, she spent time in China and Brazil before earning a Sociology degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her interest in healthcare grew from years as a diabetes clinical researcher at Stroger Hospital of Cook County and working as a birth doula in the Chicago area. Her travels across Ghana and South Africa inspired her to further her education to empower communities.
She earned a professional certificate in public health from the University of Nebraska Medical Center before moving to Madison to attend the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health. She completed her MD with a path of distinction in public health, contributing to studying the health impact of incarceration and crimeless revocations on families and elevating formerly incarcerated individuals to lead its reform.
She chose to specialize in family medicine to ensure equitable care for all, regardless of age, sex or condition. She completed residency at Swedish Medical Center First Hill in Seattle, Washington with a distinction in reproductive health. After some time as a full-spectrum rural doctor in Okanogan County, Washington she returned to Wisconsin and has worked in clinical leadership roles at the Dane County and Racine County Jails and in Landmark Health/Optum’s Home Based Medical Care program.
With Adwuma, she is excited to create a place to practice authentically, embrace her calling in family medicine, and respond to the only boss that matters: the patient. She lives in Madison with her husband Anthony and their two cats, enjoying meditation, yoga, dancing, and mentoring BIPOC youth interested in medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept insurance?
No. Perhaps the most critical distinction in our model of care centers on a direct, personal relationship between you and the doctor. That directness carries over to our business model as well. We forgo insurance payments in order to save our patients from the arbitrary, intrusive decisions and delays that come with using insurance.
Do I still need insurance if I become a member?
Yes. If you are fortunate enough to have a access to insurance or a health share, we recommend maintaining coverage. Although we do not accept or bill insurance, insurance is important to help cover unexpected and catastrophic needs, such as a surgery, high end diagnostic test or hospitalizations.
Think of it as you would car insurance. You might use it to fix a smashed fender or other major damages. But you'd never use it to get an oil change or pay for gas. For some reason, health insurance is currently being used for the equivalent of oil changes for humans - routine physicals, office visits, simple blood tests, and minor procedures, these are the things DPC membership covers. However, the DPC membership is not insurance and does not meet the criteria for insurance as set forth in the Affordable Care Act.Can I see you if I have Medicare?
Yes. The membership fee is not covered by Medicare. You will need to sign a one-time waiver declaring that neither you nor us will directly bill Medicare for our services. Even though Medicare will not pay us for any services you receive in our practice, your benefits will otherwise remain unchanged and can continue to be used for all other medical care received outside of our practice. Please note that Medicare Advantage plans are very restrictive and will require you to maintain a primary care provider in network to cover any services.
Do you see children?
Yes! From 'womb to tomb' as a family medicine practice, we are happy and skilled to see patients of all ages. Note that at this time, we do not provide vaccinations as there are many ways of accessing these free/very affordably. We also do not provide gender-affirming care to children, but happy to walk families through their child's gender journey and coordinate care with pediatric/adolescent endocrinology specialists as needed.
Will I really be able to contact the doctor directly?
Yes. Sickness can happen at any time or anywhere so Dr. Giselle is available via text, email, or phone, even outside of regular office hours. She can help triage your concerns, and help you decide on the best course of action or schedule after-hours or home visit.
Does that mean you are available 24/7/365 and will come to my home whenever I want?
Not exactly. As a family medicine practice, we can address most problems, most of the time. Members do have instant access for urgent needs, and we encourage our patients to reach out to us if they need us. However, if your issue can wait until regular hours, we ask that you do so, allowing us time to rest and recharge, just as we encourage our patients to do. While we aim to be accessible, we cannot guarantee 24/7/365 availability- please use your judgement about need to seek care at Urgent Care or ER if unable to connect in timely manner.
What if I need to see a specialist?
World Health Organization has determined that 90% of lifetime healthcare needs can be served by a well trained primary care physician. Having the time to actually listen and investigate means we can get to answers in situations that would be referred out in the rushed environment of the regular system. Nonetheless, we are more than happy to refer, coordinate and advocate for specialist care with other practices. We also have access to a network of specialists that can provide virtual consultations for a small fee.
What about labs or imaging?
We partner and share space with Black-owned independent lab, SRG Health Labs to bring wholesale cost of labs to patients. The average cost is usually $5-15 for blood tests. For imaging, we refer to MH imaging, an independent imaging center in Middleton which offers affordable cash prices and contracts with insurance. If you prefer to have bloodwork or imaging done elsewhere, we can send orders to facilitate making this happen at your preferred location.
Can I cancel my membership at anytime?
We strive to provide excellent care and address any concerns you may have. We are happy to come up with payment plans or arrangements if financial circumstances change. We understand that cancellation may still be best for you or your family. A 30 day notice is required to cancel a membership. This can be via text, email or snail mail. There is no cancellation fee or charge. If paying every 3, 6 or 12 months, pre-paid time will be re-funded.
Please note re-enrollment after canceling a membership incurs a $150 re-enrollment fee and is dependent on availability as we have limited capacity for new patients to keep our care personalized and accessible.Do I have to become a member to see you?
No. Membership is the most affordable and sustainable way of accessing our services. However, anyone is welcome to visit Adwuma for their health needs. Our visits are 60 minutes long, the price is $125 for telehealth visit, $150 for an office visit and $200 for a home visit within Dane County.
To best serve you, an enrollment form will need to be filled out with your medical history. If in the future you decide to become a member of the practice, the $50 enrollment fee will be waived. Please contact us for pricing of procedures. You can book single visits at tidycal.com/adwuma/visit
Have more questions?
Call us at 608-305-4030, or email us belowwith any questions you have.