What is the role of the initial good faith exam in establishing a patient/physician relationship at a Degree Wellness franchise?
Degree_Wellness Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Pursuant to the Management Agreement a Licensed Provider will provide a good faith exam. The initial good faith exam will establish the patient/physician relationship and create a plan of care as it relates to the IV therapy. Then the IV is administered by a registered nurse that is supervised by the physician. The individual franchisees will provide nursing staff to the professional corporation through a staffing agreement where the physician provides supervision to the nursing staff and the franchisee handles all payroll services for the nurse. Also, pursuant to the Management Agreement franchise will provide payroll services, accounting and tax filing services, and other administrative services as the professional corporation directs. The professional corporation will collect all funds for medical services.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–12)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Degree Wellness's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial good faith exam performed by a Licensed Provider is crucial for establishing the patient/physician relationship within the franchise. This exam also leads to the creation of a plan of care specifically related to IV therapy services offered at the Degree Wellness studio. The IV is then administered by a registered nurse under the supervision of the physician.
Degree Wellness franchisees are required to enter into a Management Agreement with a Licensed Provider, who is responsible for owning and operating the studio and providing the good faith exam. The franchisee provides nursing staff to the professional corporation through a staffing agreement, handling payroll services for the nurse while the physician supervises the nursing staff. The professional corporation, not the franchisee, is responsible for collecting all funds for medical services.
This arrangement ensures that medical services are provided under the guidance of licensed healthcare professionals, maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations. While Degree Wellness studios are not considered "covered entities" under HIPAA, franchisees must still comply with all federal, state, and local privacy laws, including HIPAA and the HI-TECH Act. This highlights the importance of understanding and adhering to healthcare-related legal requirements when operating a Degree Wellness franchise.