About Ginger Smith, FNP-C

Ginger has been a family nurse practitioner since 2009 and was a registered nurse for 12 years prior to obtaining her Masters degree from Colorado State University-Pueblo. Throughout her life, she lived in communities of various sizes, ranging from rural areas to mid-sized cities. Prior to moving to the San Luis Valley in 2018, she and her family lived in Pueblo for over 20 years but always wanted to return to their rural roots. Ginger lived in the Valley for a few years as a child, and her husband has extended family in the area so when the opportunity to relocate presented itself, they jumped at the chance. They settled on a small property in the Del Norte area where they raise grass hay, chickens, farm-fresh eggs, and a small herd of Dexter cattle.

Having lived and practiced in both rural areas and cities, Ginger has seen how people in rural areas in general (and the San Luis Valley in particular) suffer a lack of quality and reliable health care for their families. Knowing that she plans to stay in the Valley for many years to come, she feels that she can offer compassionate, accessible, and high-quality care for all ages directly to her community. She truly enjoys the challenges that rural primary care faces, and finds it rewarding when she is able to help her patients. 

What is Direct Primary Care?

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a healthcare model where patients pay providers a flat, affordable monthly or annual membership fee directly for comprehensive primary care services, bypassing traditional insurance billing for these services. It focuses on enhancing access, providing longer appointments, and improving patient-provider relationships. Fees are paid directly to the practice by the patient, rather than insurance. Memberships typically cover an unlimited number of appointments as well as direct access to the provider via text, email, or portal messages. Appointments are usually available on a same-day or next-day basis. Providers maintain smaller patient panels compared to traditional practices, allowing for longer, more personalized, visits. While DPC is not insurance, patients are encouraged to keep their insurance coverage for catastrophic medical concerns (such as those requiring hospitalization), specialist consultations, labs, imaging, prescriptions, and medical equipment such as oxygen or diabetes supplies. Membership fees are typically NOT able to be applied to one’s deductible but may be tax deductible and/or HSA/FSA eligible.

What is Great River Family Wellness?

Great River Family Wellness is a Direct Primary Care practice focusing on providing primary care services for patients of all ages, from newborns to geriatrics. The initial consultation to discuss whether a membership is right for you is free. Membership fees are age-based (see Services), and family plans are available as well. However, if a membership is not what you need (perhaps you’re just visiting the area and need treatment for a sudden illness, or don’t seek medical care very often in general), we do offer one-time visits for non-members for a flat fee.

Unfortunately, there are some limitations to the services GRFW can offer at this time:

* We do not accept insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, or commercial plans such as HMO or PPO plans.

* Due to Colorado law and Medicaid restrictions, we are unable to see Medicaid patients (even on a self-pay basis).

* We are ONLY PROVIDING TELEHEALTH appointments for the time being, though in-person visits in some form are planned in the future.

* No long-term/chronic prescriptions for opioids or benzodiazepine medications will be issued. Short-term (5 days or less) may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Other controlled substance prescriptions will also be considered only on a case-by-case basis.