“Buzzworthy Businesses” is a unique and cool talk show that showcases individuals and companies in the community that are making a buzz and giving back. Our goal is to interview guests that are doing great things in their business and in their community. Today our host, Steve Strum spoke with Theo Mitchelson and Nick Leonard.
Theo Mitchelson
Owner at Florida First Insurance Group LLC
Website Address: wwwfl1stins.com
Nick Leonard
Ambassador for Sanitas Medical Center
Website Address: www.mysanitas.com
Transcript:
Steve:
Welcome back to another episode of Buzzworthy Businesses. I’m Steve Strum. Today we have a couple of people here to talk about the health insurance industry. I’ve got Nick Leonard from Sanitas Medical Center and Theo Mitchelson from Florida First Insurance Group. Gentlemen, good afternoon. Thank you so much for joining us today.
Nick:
Thank you.
Theo:
Thank you.
Steve:
All right. So we were talking a little bit about it off set, the fun and exciting world of insurance, because boy oh boy, does that not sound a lot like paint drying.
Nick:
Yes.
Steve:
All right. But it’s important, right? You know, you’ve got to go to the dentist. I don’t always want to, but man, I’ll tell you what, when I get out of the dentist chair and he’s like, no cavities, I’m like, all right, because I know what comes next, right? You take care of the cavity, you get a root canal. You don’t take care of the root canal, it becomes an extraction. Then your jaw falls off, and that’s what we call a bad thing.
So we’re talking a little bit about insurance land, but then also a medical providing facility that’s not new in general but new to Jacksonville. So first, let’s talk a little bit about what it is that you do, and then maybe talk a little bit about y’all’s partnership together.
Theo:
Absolutely. So I own an insurance agency called Florida First Insurance Group. We’ve been in business for the last 20 years now. My family has served the Jacksonville community since 1954. So we focus on health insurance. That’s our specialty, whether it’s individual, group, company benefits, ancillary, which is dental, vision, etc. And we also do life insurance. We are a Florida Blue agency.
We have a partnership with Sanitas Medical Center, as you mentioned, which is a part of Sanitas. It is what’s known as a value choice provider for Florida Blue. So what does that mean, value choice provider? Basically it means that when Florida Blue members, or our customers at Florida First Insurance Group, go to primary care at Sanitas Medical, they do not have to pay anything, $0 copay.
Steve:
So tell us a little bit about what Sanitas Medical is. You said you’ve got 60 facilities around the United States, three here in Jacksonville, newer to Jacksonville but not new to the industry. So what is Sanitas, and why have you guys decided to join that partnership from the medical provider side?
Nick:
Correct. And thank you again for having me here. So Sanitas is trying to make preventative treatment as convenient as possible for our members, for Florida Blue members. So it’s a Florida Blue exclusive clinic to begin with, which is incredible for availability. You’re not fighting with different carriers trying to get appointments. You can get a same day appointment at any of our facilities across the state.
But it’s also a one stop shop. Because we’re able to do everything at one location, we can keep it within that primary care code. So you’re basically receiving all of the following services for $0. That includes visits with your primary care physician, wellness checks, any doctor’s visits. We also have labs on site, so you can do your blood work there. We offer EKGs, X-rays, and we even have a behavioral health program called Be Well, where we have mental counselors on site or available over the phone. We can treat minor depression, anxiety, stress management, all in one visit for a $0 copay.
Steve:
In a year like 2026, we certainly have no issues or need for mental health, right? All right, so now six or seven years past COVID, I think we all need therapy.
So you guys have been in Jacksonville for about a year and provide that comprehensive medical component where you’re not going from one provider to another. If something specialty-wise is needed, obviously you might refer them out.
So how did you guys decide this partnership was going to work? You’re selling it on the insurance side, which is very important because if you don’t have the insurance, you’re in trouble. You buy it when you don’t need it so you have it when you do, because you could easily rack up six figures. The hospital writes a book by saying yes, ten grand.
So how did you guys become a partnership together?
Theo:
Great question. Fortunately, my agency has been recognized as the best health insurance agency in Jacksonville for six years in a row. Through our credibility and reputation, we’ve built an outstanding relationship with Florida Blue. Florida Blue has a partnership with Sanitas Medical, as Nick mentioned.
So by being a part of Florida Blue, that led to our partnership with Sanitas. And I have to tell you, it’s been phenomenal for my customers. They are so happy that Sanitas is now in the area. The facility is spotless. The wait time is minimal. You get in almost immediately. When you walk in, you’re greeted by the receptionist and they offer you coffee or water. The bedside manner is phenomenal.
I’ve taken a tour of the facility to make sure it meets my expectations for my clients, and it has exceeded them. All of the equipment is modern, state-of-the-art medical equipment.
Steve:
That’s a big thing. You go to a doctor’s office these days and it’s become almost like an assembly line. The population is growing, doctors are retiring, and there aren’t enough people to backfill. So wait times are increasing.
You mentioned psychological services. Licensed mental health counselors can be booked six months out if you’re lucky.
So you’re an exclusive provider for Florida Blue. That’s unique. If someone doesn’t have Florida Blue, can they still come in?
Nick:
We do offer a fee-for-service option, so yes, they can come in, but they would be paying retail.
Steve:
Okay, so how does that model work?
Nick:
We’ve been operating globally for over 60 years as both payer and provider. About ten years ago, in 2014, Florida Blue and Sanitas formed a joint venture to bring preventative treatment and value-based care.
We focus on treating not only physical illness but also social determinants of health. For example, if someone has lung problems and their home has mold, they won’t improve. So we connect them with community resources as well.
We aim to handle as much of the patient’s medical journey within our facilities so they don’t need urgent care or ER visits, all at a $0 cost benefit for Florida Blue members.
Theo:
To add to that, Sanitas being affiliated with Florida Blue allows prior authorizations and referrals to go through very smoothly, which is important because that process can often be frustrating.
Steve:
Absolutely. The medical system is a large organism and can be daunting for the average consumer.
We have so much more to talk about, including product lines and new options for 2026 that could help lower costs. Maybe we’ll cover that in another episode.
For now, you guys are great. Without you, we can’t have the interview, and without them, we have no reason for the interview. So come check these guys out. Whether it’s the provider side or the insurance side, check out the partnership between Florida First Insurance Group and Sanitas Medical.
Visit our website at DailyNewsNetwork.com. We’ll post additional resources and cost-effective insurance alternatives.
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