Christine Meyer, MD

12/22/2025

What can a 7am workout session teach us about the past year, and the year ahead? Read about my sweat-induced revelation in today’s practice newsletter.

From all of us at CMMD & Associates, and especially from my core:

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy holiday, and a joyful New Year!

"My goal is to foster health through compassion, education, and collaboration. I want every patient to feel heard and empowered to take an active role in their health." Meet Lauren >

12/20/2025

I want to float an idea and hear from our community.

Many of you have told us that your health insurance premiums and deductibles are rising—sometimes dramatically. We’re hearing about families paying well over $1,000 per month, with deductibles so high ($9000/year) that insurance rarely helps for everyday care.

We’re starting to ask a simple question:

Is there a better way to make routine primary care affordable and accessible for people without insurance?

We’re considering a cash-based / membership option for patients who are uninsured or choosing to step away from traditional insurance.

What this might look like:

-A set number of office visits per year

-Transparent, discounted pricing on basic labs and mammograms (rates we’ve already negotiated locally)

-Vaccines and certain services are available as add-ons

-Some generic medications are available in the office at prices lower than typical pharmacy copays.

This would not replace insurance for emergencies or hospital care, and it’s not about making more money. Our goal is to ensure patients can access preventive care, chronic disease management, and timely visits without avoiding care due to cost.

One of the key determinants is the cost. To be clear, this will NOT be a concierge service. ALL of the things our patients get: walk-in, same-day appointments, portal access, after-hours care, weekends, etc., will be available to everyone.

For those with insurance coverage, nothing changes.

Before we go any further, I need to hear from you.

Would something like this be:
✔️ Helpful?
✔️ Confusing?
✔️ Something your family might consider?

Please feel free to comment or message privately. Your feedback will help guide whether and how we move forward.

12/14/2025

4 minutes to spare! Thank you all so much for making my dream a reality!

Twenty-one years ago today we opened our doors.

12/08/2025

I wrote something today that I wasn’t expecting to write.

It’s about Minnie—an 87-year-old patient who arrived at 8:00 am for her 2:20 appointment. What happened next reminded me why I became a doctor in the first place.

I’m sharing her story on Substack. If it resonates, I hope you’ll subscribe and stay for the next one.

👉https://christinemeyermd.substack.com/p/the-day-minnie-arrived-six-hours

👉https://christinemeyermd.substack.com

Medicine. Menopause. Leadership. Life. Click to read Christine's Substack, by Christine Meyer, MD, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

12/06/2025

About ten years ago, I wrote a book that took me three years to finish. It was one of the most grueling, ridiculous, sleep-depriving, soul-stretching projects I’ve ever taken on. I promised myself I’d never do that again. And yet… here I am.

Because writing is apparently my love language.

I tell stories about medicine, menopause, leadership, and prior authorizations gone horribly wrong.

So today, I published my first piece on Substack. It starts with a pharmacy, a medication, my extremely patient husband, and a prior auth situation that reminded me exactly why I need to be writing now. Think of it as a love letter to healthcare… and by love letter, I mean a plea for sanity.

If you care about medicine, leadership, women’s health, advocacy, or just want to feel slightly better about your own interactions with the healthcare system, I’d love for you to join me over there.

Here is the first story:

Medicine. Menopause. Leadership. Life. Click to read Christine's Substack, by Christine Meyer, MD, a Substack publication. Launched 6 minutes ago.

11/25/2025

My Thanksgiving message is headed to inboxes today.

It is simply this: Enjoy. Every. Second.

Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday, from all of us at CMMD.

https://mailchi.mp/christinemeyermd/cmmdnewsletter_thanksgiving2025-4884792

Dear Patients and Friends, As many of you know, my aunt, Dr. Venis Fanous — whom we all lovingly call “Tant Seeza” — has been my lifelong mentor and hero. Growing up, I watched her shape her work around her family with remarkable grace. Her husband and her two sons, Jack and James, were the ...

11/20/2025

Many of you know that my aunt, Dr. Venis Fanous, is my lifelong mentor and hero. Growing up, I watched her mold her professional life around her family. Her husband and sons, Jack and James, were her entire world.

Those two boys, in turn, dedicated their existence to serving others. Among many other things, these inseparable brothers founded the nationally recognized GI Go Fund, a non-profit supporting veterans.

They did this work mainly from the home they grew up in while supporting their parents in a million different ways.

Jack died suddenly on Monday at 44, leaving behind his wife, Sheigh, and a devastated family.

Please send prayers for comfort and peace. Jack filled our world with his endless kindness, razor-sharp wit, and limitless capacity to give. He leaves a giant, unfillable void.

11/14/2025

It’s not you, it’s hormones (and maybe stress). No crash diets, just muscles, protein, and compassion. Menopause metabolism = Me! No Pause years.

Watch the Menopause Webinar Series here → bit.ly/MYCMMDRESET

11/09/2025

Wide awake at 3 a.m.? Same. Menopause messes with sleep, but science + hacks (goodbye phone in bed, hello cool pillow) help. Because it’s the Me! No Pause years.

🎥 Watch the Menopause Webinar Series here → bit.ly/MYCMMDRESET

11/02/2025

Losing keys, losing patience? Nope—you’re not losing it. Hormones hijack mood and focus, but solutions exist. Turns out menopause = Me! No Pause years.

🎥 Watch the Menopause Webinar Series here → bit.ly/MYCMMDRESET

Ready for a plan that fits you? Call to schedule a Menopause consult with Wendy Ronco, CRNP. 📞 610-363-0100

10/28/2025

80% of us get hot flashes. Spoiler: it’s not red wine’s fault (okay, sometimes). Cooling hacks, HRT, CBT—yes, there are fixes. Menopause = Me! No Pause years.
🎥 Watch the Menopause Webinar Series here → bit.ly/MYCMMDRESET

10/25/2025

Hey Everyone!
I wanted to share an update on GLP-1 coverage for weight loss in our region (Southeastern PA.) This applies to Saxenda, Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound, Rybelsus, etc.

Right now, if you have any version of Independence Blue Cross
(Keystone Health Plan East, Personal Choice, KJPE 65, Personal Choice 65, etc) None of these medications is covered--at all. No prior authorization attempt will change that.

A small handful of other insurers do cover some of these meds. Check with your specific plan. Please remember that even if your best friend has the "same exact plan," coverages differ depending on employer, plan sponsor, etc. If your insurance says that the GLP-1 is covered but "requires a prior auth" from your doctor, it will most likely NOT be covered. Medicare does not cover these medications at all.

For those able to pay cash. The current viable options are:
1. Walk into your local pharmacy with $1200 for a one-month supply. Currently, Novo is offering an automatic coupon that reduces the cost to roughly $500/month.

2. Get Zepbound or Mounjaro from Lilly directly (script required) for approximately $500 per month. These are not pre-filled pens. They are vials from which you draw up the dose and administer it via needle and syringe (easy).

3. Get Wegovy directly from Novo (script required) as above.

4. Until recently, getting these from Canadian pharmacies was a viable option. However, the current climate is driving up costs and reducing availability.

Let me be clear. The fact that I have to make this post is a travesty. These medications are not simply "weight loss" drugs. They are life-savers. The long-term data is very very clear about that.

My hope is that over time, insurers and drug-makers will meet in the middle to improve access to these drugs for all.

Edit: I am not referring to compounded GLP-1s here. There are not sufficient studies to confirm the safety of those yet.