Frequently Asked Questions

Flexup Wellness is a personalized medical practice focused on optimizing health by addressing the connection between the mind, gut, metabolism, hormones, sleep, and lifestyle. Rather than treating isolated symptoms, we work with you to understand the factors influencing your health and develop a practical, evidence-based strategy designed for long-term results.

Traditional healthcare often focuses on diagnosing and treating individual conditions during brief appointments. Flexup Wellness provides longer, more comprehensive visits that allow us to review your medical history, medications, nutrition, lifestyle, sleep, laboratory results, and health goals to create a personalized care plan. Our goal is to help you understand why you're feeling the way you do—not just manage symptoms.

Yes. Flexup Wellness is designed to complement—not replace—your primary care provider. We work alongside your PCP by providing personalized, root-cause-focused care while encouraging routine preventive care, vaccinations, urgent medical evaluations, and age-appropriate screenings through your primary care provider. Together, we help ensure you receive comprehensive, coordinated care.

What is a Wellness Partnership?A Wellness Partnership is an ongoing care relationship for people who need more than a single consultation or occasional follow-up visit.Rather than treating each appointment as an isolated event, a Partnership gives us time to follow your progress, review results, adjust your strategy, and reassess as your health evolves.After your Comprehensive Consultation, I may recommend a Focused, Transformation, or Ongoing Partnership depending on your goals, complexity, and the level of support that makes sense for you.What is included in a Wellness Partnership?Partnerships may include scheduled 30-minute follow-up visits, secure messaging for non-urgent questions, medication and supplement optimization, routine follow-up laboratory testing, serial body composition measurements when useful, Letters of Medical Necessity when appropriate, educational resources, and ongoing guidance throughout your care.Partnership patients also receive 15% savings on supplements purchased through the Flexup Wellness Fullscript dispensary.The exact structure of your Partnership depends on your individual care plan.Why does a Partnership provide greater value?Health rarely changes according to an appointment schedule. Questions arise, laboratory results return, symptoms change, and treatment strategies sometimes need adjustment.A Partnership provides a longer window to work together and allows for greater continuity, follow-through, reassessment, and support between visits.The value is not simply the number of appointments. It is having an ongoing strategy, objective follow-up when appropriate, and a clinician who already understands your history and can adjust the plan as new information develops.Which Partnership is right for me?You do not need to decide this before your consultation.Every new patient begins with a Comprehensive Consultation. After we understand your goals, symptoms, history, and overall health picture, I will recommend the level of support that appears most appropriate.A Focused Partnership is generally best for a more defined concern, fewer moving parts, or a shorter period of structured support.A Transformation Partnership is generally best for more complex or overlapping concerns that require deeper evaluation, implementation, follow-up, testing, and reassessment over time.An Ongoing Partnership is designed for continued optimization, maintenance, hormone or metabolic support, periodic reassessment, or continued guidance after more intensive work is complete.The goal is to match the level of care to what you actually need—not place everyone into the same program.Do I need to purchase a Partnership after my Comprehensive Consultation?No.There is no obligation to continue into a Partnership. The Comprehensive Consultation is designed to provide value on its own, including a clearer understanding of your health, initial recommendations, and appropriate next steps.If ongoing support would be beneficial, I will explain what I recommend and why, along with the associated cost, before you make any decision.How is Partnership pricing determined?Partnership pricing varies based on the scope, duration, and level of support involved.After your Comprehensive Consultation, I will explain the Partnership I recommend and review the exact cost with you before you decide whether to proceed.Flexup is designed to be transparent about cost while still allowing your care plan to reflect what you actually need rather than forcing everyone into a fixed package.What if I don't need a follow-up every month?That is completely reasonable.Follow-up frequency should be based on your needs and progress—not on filling appointments.Some phases of care may benefit from closer follow-up, while others may require less frequent visits. Your schedule can evolve as your health and goals change.Can I message you between appointments?Yes. Secure messaging is available for appropriate non-urgent questions, updates, and guidance related to your care.General messaging availability is during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Messages are not routinely monitored at night, on weekends, or on holidays.Messaging does not replace an appointment when a more comprehensive assessment is needed and should not be used for urgent or emergency concerns.Are laboratory tests included?Most routine follow-up laboratory testing related to your Partnership is included when appropriate.Specialized, advanced, or third-party testing may have an additional cost. Examples may include certain microbiome, specialty hormone, genetic, or other advanced testing.When additional testing is recommended, expected costs will be discussed whenever possible before testing is ordered.Are supplements included?Supplements are not generally included in the cost of a Wellness Partnership.Personalized supplement recommendations, review, and ongoing guidance are included as part of your care.Partnership patients also have access to the Flexup Wellness Fullscript dispensary with 15% savings on supplements.What are the optional add-ons?Certain tools or services may be recommended when they provide useful information or additional support.These may include continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and Flore microbiome testing and guidance.These are not automatically recommended for every patient. They are used when they are likely to meaningfully improve the care plan or help answer a specific clinical question.Can my Partnership change over time?Yes.Your needs may change as you make progress.Someone who begins with a Focused Partnership may later benefit from more intensive support. Someone completing a Transformation Partnership may transition into a lower-intensity Ongoing Partnership.The goal is not to keep you in the highest level of care indefinitely. The goal is to provide the right amount of support at the right time.Can I still schedule an individual follow-up visit?For established patients who have completed a Comprehensive Consultation and do not currently need a structured Partnership, individual follow-up visits may be available.This can be useful for an isolated question, periodic reassessment, or a new concern that does not require a broader care pathway.For more complex or ongoing issues, I may recommend a Partnership if that would provide more appropriate continuity and support.What is the long-term goal of a Partnership?The goal is not to make you dependent on ongoing appointments.The goal is to help you understand your health, build a strategy that works for you, measure progress, make thoughtful adjustments, and eventually require less support—not more.Some patients continue with periodic optimization or maintenance, while others transition back to individual follow-up as needed.

Yes. Every patient works directly with Chris Caffrey throughout their care. From your initial consultation to follow-up visits, your care is personally provided by Chris—ensuring continuity, consistency, and a deeper understanding of your health over time. You won't be passed between multiple providers or care teams.

I commonly work with individuals seeking support for:Digestive health and gut-related symptomsChronic fatigue, brain fog and other related symptomsAnxiety, depression, ADHD, and other mental health concernsWeight management and metabolic healthHormone optimization and men's healthFatigue and low energySleep optimizationLifestyle and preventive wellness with life coachingMedication and supplement reviews with recommendationsIf you're unsure whether your concerns are a good fit, we're happy to discuss them during your consultation.

Your initial consultation is a 90-minute visit designed to thoroughly understand your health.During your visit we may review:Your complete medical historyCurrent medications and supplementsPrevious laboratory testingNutrition and exercise habitsSleep and stressDigestive and mental health symptomsPersonal health goalsYou'll leave with clear recommendations, an individualized strategy, and a roadmap for what comes next.

What is the difference between individual follow-up visits and a Wellness Partnership?Both provide the same high standard of personalized clinical care. The difference is primarily structure, continuity, and level of support.Individual follow-up visits may be appropriate for established patients who have completed a Comprehensive Consultation and only need occasional reassessment, an isolated question, or a new concern that does not require a broader care plan.A Wellness Partnership is designed for patients who would benefit from more structured, ongoing support. Partnerships allow us to follow your progress over time, review results, adjust your strategy, and provide appropriate guidance between visits.Depending on your care plan, this may include scheduled follow-up visits, secure messaging, medication and supplement optimization, routine follow-up labs, serial body composition measurements, Letters of Medical Necessity when appropriate, and other ongoing support.The distinction is not the quality of care. It is the depth and continuity of the relationship.Why would you recommend a Partnership instead of individual visits?Many concerns involving the gut, metabolism, hormones, sleep, nutrition, mental wellness, and lifestyle do not resolve in a single appointment.When multiple factors are interacting, the real work often happens over time: implementing a plan, monitoring progress, reviewing new information, and making thoughtful adjustments.A Partnership creates the structure and continuity needed for that process.If your needs are more limited or occasional, individual follow-up may be completely appropriate. If your goals require more consistent guidance and reassessment, I may recommend a Partnership because it provides a better framework for achieving meaningful, lasting progress.Will I still receive personalized care with individual follow-up visits?Absolutely.Individual follow-up patients receive the same thoughtful, individualized clinical care during their appointments.A Partnership does not purchase “better” care. It creates a more continuous and proactive care relationship, with greater structure, ongoing access, and support over time.

Not always.If recent laboratory work is available, we'll review it together. When additional testing would help guide your care, we'll recommend only what is clinically appropriate. Our goal is to avoid unnecessary testing while ensuring important information isn't overlooked.

Yes, when medically appropriate.As a dual board-certified nurse practitioner in psychiatry and acute care with extensive experience in gastroenterology, medications may be part of your treatment plan when they are likely to improve outcomes. We also emphasize nutrition, lifestyle, behavioral strategies, and appropriate supplementation whenever possible.

Yes.Many appointments can be completed securely through telehealth, while select services may be better suited for in-person visits depending on your needs and state regulations.

Flexup Wellness operates as a direct-pay practice and does not bill health insurance.This approach allows for longer appointments, personalized care, and greater flexibility without many of the limitations imposed by traditional insurance-based medicine. Depending on your insurance plan, laboratory testing, medications, or other services may still be covered separately.

Once you become a Flexup Wellness patient, you'll receive a secure invitation to access your private patient portal. Through the portal, you can securely message your provider, review visit notes, access your personalized care plan, complete forms, view laboratory orders and results, order supplements, manage appointments, and explore educational resources—all in one convenient place to help you stay informed and engaged in your care. Always HIPAA compliant.

Absolutely. Your privacy and security are a top priority.Here’s How We Protect You:Our licensed practitioners follow HIPAA laws, just like any other healthcare providerAll health evaluations are completed through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platformWe use a protected electronic medical record (EMR) system to store your health information safelyYour personal information (email, phone number, etc.) is never sharedYour trust matters. So does your privacy. We’re here to protect both.

What is an HSA (Health Savings Account)? An HSA is a special savings account that lets you set aside pre-tax money for healthcare expenses. The money goes in tax-free, grows tax-free, and can be used tax-free—as long as it’s spent on qualified medical expenses. Key Features: Must have a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): Only available if you’re enrolled in a qualified HDHP. (Most plans today are HDHPs.) Money rolls over year to year: Unlike an FSA, unused funds don’t expire—they stay in your account and can grow over time. Portable account: Your HSA stays with you even if you change jobs or insurance plans. What HSAs Typically Cover: Doctor’s visits and hospital care Prescription medications Dental care (e.g., cleanings, fillings, braces) Vision care (e.g., eye exams, glasses, contacts) Mental health services Medical equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, crutches) Some over-the-counter items (e.g., bandages, thermometers, condoms) Why It’s a Powerful Tool: An HSA isn’t just a savings account—it’s a triple tax-advantaged investment vehicle that can be used for both current and future healthcare costs. Unused funds can grow tax-free, making it one of the best long-term savings tools available. Want to learn how to turn your HSA into the most powerful investment account you own? Check out our blog for deeper insights.

What is an FSA (Flexible Spending Account)? An FSA lets you set aside money from your paycheck before taxes to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses. This reduces your taxable income and helps you save around 30% on qualified costs. What FSAs Typically Cover (not limited to): Healthcare FSA: Doctor’s visits Prescription medications Dental care (e.g., cleanings, braces) Vision care (e.g., glasses, contacts) Medical equipment (e.g., crutches, blood pressure monitors) Bandaids, Tylenol, Motrin, Condoms Dependent Care FSA: Childcare expenses (e.g., daycare, babysitters) Care for a dependent adult (e.g., disabled spouse, parent, or child while you work) Important to Know: FSAs are usually “use it or lose it”—funds must be spent within the plan year or a short grace period. Some plans allow a small rollover (typically up to $640 in 2024) to the next year. Want to dive deeper? Check out our blog for more detailed explanations.

In many cases, yes.Many Flexup Wellness services may be eligible for payment using Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds. When medically appropriate, we can also provide Letters of Medical Necessity (LMNs) for certain qualified health-related expenses in accordance with current IRS guidance.

What is a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)? A Letter of Medical Necessity is a note from a licensed healthcare provider that explains why a specific product or service is medically required for your health. It allows non-traditional expenses—not normally covered by the IRS—to become HSA or FSA eligible. Why It Matters: The IRS only allows certain expenses—unless they’re deemed medically necessary. With an LMN, you can unlock pre-tax coverage for wellness expenses like: Gym memberships Nutritional supplements Organic groceries Therapeutic equipment And much more How Flexup Wellness Helps: Quick and simple online health evaluation Licensed providers review your needs Customized, IRS-compliant Letter of Medical Necessity issued Average savings = ~30% using pre-tax HSA/FSA funds Important to Know: You’ll become an official patient under our care All medical records are confidential, private, and secure Your LMN can be used to submit eligible wellness expenses for tax-free reimbursement Want to see what’s possible with a Letter of Medical Necessity? Check out our blog for examples and ideas.

Flexup Wellness is designed for individuals who want to take an active role in their health.Our patients are often looking for:A deeper understanding of their healthMore personalized care than traditional medicine providesA comprehensive approach that considers multiple aspects of wellnessLong-term strategies instead of quick fixesA collaborative partnership focused on sustainable health improvementsWhether you're trying to resolve persistent symptoms or optimize your long-term health, our goal is to help you build a plan that is practical, personalized, and evidence-informed.

Flexup Wellness emphasizes time, personalization, and continuity of care. Initial consultations are significantly longer than a standard medical appointment and include an in-depth review of your health history, medications, supplements, lifestyle, and available laboratory data. This allows us to develop a personalized strategy tailored to your goals rather than focusing on a single symptom or concern. Many patients find that the additional time and individualized approach provide clarity and direction that are difficult to achieve in traditional, time-limited visits.

Yes. Wearable devices can provide valuable insights into trends in heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), sleep, blood oxygen (SpO₂), activity, recovery, and more. While these devices aren't medical-grade diagnostic tools, I can help you interpret your data, identify meaningful patterns, and use those insights to optimize your sleep, exercise, recovery, stress, and overall health. Wearable data is always considered alongside your symptoms, laboratory results, and overall clinical picture—not in isolation.

The CGM Add-On is an optional 30-day program for Flexup Wellness Partnership clients that provides continuous insight into how your glucose responds to food, exercise, sleep, stress, and daily habits.What’s included?You’ll receive two CGM sensors covering approximately 30 days, along with personalized interpretation of your glucose patterns and practical recommendations based on what we learn.How much does it cost?The 30-Day CGM Add-On is $299.Do I need diabetes to use a CGM?No. CGMs can also provide useful metabolic insights for select people without diabetes. They are especially useful when there is a specific question we want the data to help answer.What can a CGM tell me?We can evaluate patterns such as your response to different meals, meal timing, exercise, post-meal walking, sleep, and other lifestyle factors. The goal isn't a perfectly flat glucose line—normal glucose fluctuations are expected.Is the CGM included in my Partnership?No. CGM monitoring is an optional add-on so you only pay for it if it is likely to provide meaningful information for your care.Will Chris review my CGM data?Yes. Your data is interpreted in the context of your health history, laboratory results, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals—not simply by an app or algorithm.Do I have to continue wearing a CGM long term?No. For most Flexup clients, the goal is to use a focused 30-day period to identify useful patterns, make adjustments, and learn what works for your metabolism.

The testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) program provides individualized evaluation, treatment, laboratory monitoring, medication, supplies, and ongoing follow-up for appropriate men with confirmed testosterone deficiency.Do I need an initial consultation?Yes. A comprehensive initial consultation is required before beginning TRT. This allows us to review your symptoms, health history, medications, laboratory results, risk factors, and whether testosterone therapy is actually appropriate.Do I need a Flexup Wellness Partnership?No. After your initial consultation, you can participate in the TRT program independently. However, a Partnership may be useful if you also want to address metabolic health, nutrition, sleep, gut health, mental health, or other factors that can influence testosterone and overall health.How much does the TRT program cost?TRT is $99 per month and includes ongoing follow-up, monitoring labs, testosterone medication, and injection supplies.Does everyone with low testosterone need TRT?No. A low testosterone result is only part of the picture. Sleep, body composition, medications, metabolic health, alcohol use, stress, and other medical conditions can influence testosterone levels. The goal is to understand why testosterone is low before deciding whether replacement is appropriate.What forms of testosterone do you offer?Treatment options may include testosterone injections or oral therapy when clinically appropriate. We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach before deciding together.How will my treatment be monitored?Symptoms and laboratory markers are monitored throughout treatment. Dosing is adjusted based on your clinical response, testosterone levels, and relevant safety markers rather than simply trying to achieve the highest possible testosterone level.Can TRT affect fertility?Yes. Testosterone therapy can suppress sperm production and may significantly reduce fertility. If maintaining or pursuing fertility is important, this should be discussed before starting treatment.Will I be working directly with Chris?Yes. Your evaluation, treatment decisions, monitoring, and ongoing management are handled directly by Chris.

Flexup Wellness is developing a focused line of premium supplements designed around foundational health, sleep, strength, and metabolic wellness. The goal is a small number of thoughtfully formulated products—not another shelf full of supplements.What products are coming?The initial Flexup line is being developed around four core products: Flexup Foundation, Flexup Sleep, Flexup Strength, and Flexup Metabolic.What makes Flexup supplements different?Each formula is being designed with a clinical purpose, carefully selected ingredients, meaningful dosing, and simplicity in mind. The goal is to reduce unnecessary complexity while covering the areas that matter most.Do I need to be a Flexup Wellness client to purchase them?No. Flexup supplements are expected to be available to both Flexup clients and the general public once launched.Will everyone need all four products?No. Supplements should serve a purpose. Which products make sense depends on your nutrition, lifestyle, laboratory findings, health history, and individual goals.Will Flexup supplements replace a healthy diet?No. Supplements are exactly that—supplemental. Nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, and other fundamentals remain the foundation.Will the products be third-party tested?Quality, manufacturing standards, ingredient sourcing, and testing are important parts of product development. Specific testing and manufacturing details will be provided as the formulas are finalized.When will Flexup supplements be available?The Flexup supplement line is currently in development and coming soon. More information on final formulations, pricing, and availability will be announced as we get closer to launch.

Flexup Wellness plans to offer peptide consultations in the future for appropriate patients based on their individual health needs and goals.Peptides are an evolving area of medicine, and not every peptide is appropriate, evidence-supported, or legally available for clinical use. When peptide consultations become available, recommendations will be made on an individualized basis after reviewing your medical history, medications, laboratory findings, potential benefits, risks, and available treatment alternatives.When appropriate, peptide therapy may be considered as one component of a broader treatment strategy rather than as a stand-alone solution.Because regulations and availability can change, Flexup Wellness does not guarantee access to or prescribe a specific peptide simply upon request. Any treatment offered will depend on current clinical evidence, applicable prescribing regulations, product availability, and your individual circumstances.