Today’s healthcare system can feel overwhelming, filled with red tape and hurried visits that leave many longing for a more personal touch. Dr. Melvin Brown, lifelong Charlestonian and founder of CharlestonMD, believes care should center on the relationship between doctor and patient. “Too often, people spend more time managing the system than caring for their health,” he says. “We wanted to bring healthcare back to what it was meant to be—a trusted relationship between you and your doctor.” 

CharlestonMD’s membership program offers a hybrid direct primary care (DPC) model designed for personal, ongoing care. Unlike traditional practices, members can choose to pay for routine primary care visits with cash or insurance. The membership fee—billed quarterly, semi-annually, or annually—can also be paid with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Rather than removing insurance altogether, Dr. Brown’s smaller patient panel allows his team to advocate directly for each member and help navigate insurance hurdles. 

CharlestonMD does away with rushed, impersonal appointments. Members receive extended visit times, direct messaging, and after-hours phone access, making it easy to connect with Dr. Brown or his team when it matters most. “Our members don’t wait weeks or get five-minute appointments,” Dr. Brown explains. “They get real conversations and real continuity.” 

As Daniel Island parents know, sending a teen to college comes with new health concerns. With CharlestonMD, young members keep access to care via text or video call, providing reassurance for both parents and students. When a youth ages out of their pediatrician, CharlestonMD ensures they don’t fall through the cracks, providing the kind of relationship that can prevent small issues from escalating. 

This approach is particularly well-suited for patients aged 16 and older, the specific age group Dr. Brown serves. The practice is clear about its focus on older teens and adults to ensure every family finds the right fit for their needs. 

Most members choose to have insurance billed for routine care, with some plans requiring a copay. A highlight of CharlestonMD is the comprehensive Annual Wellness Assessment—an executive-style physical that includes an advanced preventive blood panel from the renowned Cleveland Heart Clinic, EKG, pulmonary testing, and body composition analysis. This is included in membership and managed outside insurance. The practice also offers innovative labs and assays at or near wholesale prices, putting clarity and control in members’ hands. 

Dr. Brown’s long-standing Lowcountry connections mean patients benefit from trusted guidance, specialists, and referrals close to home. “I know the specialists here, I know the hospitals, and I know how to navigate care in the Lowcountry,” he says. For Daniel Island families, CharlestonMD means having a physician who’s both neighbor and advocate. 

By blending access, advocacy, and a personal touch, Dr. Brown’s hybrid DPC model is restoring the doctor-patient relationship for Daniel Island families.

Physician/Owner-  info@charleston-md.com

677 King Street  |  Suite 510  | Charleston, SC  |  29403