Question 1

What is Ixir Health?

Accepted Answer

Ixir Health is a concierge primary care practice located in Pasadena, California, founded by Dr. Christopher Dagher, MD — a physician triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. Our care team also includes Dr. Sahar Dagher, PharmD, a clinical advanced practice pharmacist and integrative nutritionist. We offer proactive, personalized care built around a genuine long-term relationship with our patients — not a rushed 10-minute visit.

Question 2

What is concierge medicine and how does it work at Ixir Health?

Accepted Answer

Concierge medicine is a model in which patients pay a membership or program fee in exchange for a higher level of access, time, and personalized care from their physician. At Ixir Health, this means unhurried appointments, same-day or next-day access, direct communication with Dr. Dagher, and a proactive focus on prevention and long-term health. Your insurance continues to be billed separately for covered medical services — the program fee covers enhanced services that go above and beyond what insurance typically reimburses.

Question 3

Where is Ixir Health located and who do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Ixir Health is located at 301 S Fair Oaks Ave, Suite 208, Pasadena, CA 91105. We serve adults throughout the San Gabriel Valley including Pasadena, Glendale, Arcadia, San Marino, Monrovia, Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Sierra Madre, and surrounding communities. Telehealth visits are also available for established patients for appropriate clinical situations.

Question 4

Who is Dr. Christopher Dagher?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Christopher Dagher, MD, FACP, DABOM, DipABLM is the founder and lead physician of Ixir Health. He is triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine — a combination held by very few physicians in the San Gabriel Valley or anywhere in Southern California. Dr. Dagher completed his medical training at New York Medical College and his residency at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. His clinical philosophy centers on identifying the root causes of health problems, prioritizing lifestyle, and using medication thoughtfully and only when appropriate.

Question 5

Who is Dr. Sahar Dagher and what is her role?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Sahar Dagher, PharmD, is Ixir Health's clinical advanced practice pharmacist and integrative nutritionist. Her dual background in pharmacy and nutrition allows Ixir Health to offer a uniquely integrated approach to weight management, metabolic health, and chronic disease prevention — addressing both the pharmaceutical and nutritional dimensions of care within a single coordinated team.

Question 6

What makes Ixir Health different from other concierge practices in Pasadena?

Accepted Answer

Ixir Health is one of the only practices in the San Gabriel Valley where a physician triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine works side by side with a clinical pharmacist and integrative nutritionist as a unified care team. Weight management, medication optimization, nutrition science, and preventive medicine are all addressed together — not referred out to separate providers.

Question 7

How does insurance work at Ixir Health?

Accepted Answer

Ixir Health bills your insurance for covered medical services — such as office visits for illness, acute care, chronic disease management, and other standard primary care services. Any applicable copays, coinsurance, or deductibles required by your insurance plan will continue to apply for those services. The annual Guardian Angel Wellness Program fee is separate from insurance billing. The services included in the Guardian Angel Program are not billed to Medicare or any other insurance carrier — they are provided exclusively through your annual program fee, as clearly defined in your membership agreement.

Question 8

Does Ixir Health accept Medicare?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Dr. Dagher accepts Medicare. Medicare will be billed for covered medical services as appropriate. The Guardian Angel Wellness Program services, however, are explicitly not billed to Medicare — they are provided entirely outside of Medicare coverage and are paid for directly by the patient through the annual program fee. This structure is clearly disclosed in the Ixir Health Membership Agreement prior to enrollment.

Question 9

Can I use my HSA or FSA toward the Guardian Angel Wellness Program fee?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, for eligible components. HSA and FSA eligibility rules vary by account type and plan administrator. We encourage you to check with your HSA or FSA administrator to determine what applies to your specific account before assuming eligibility.

Question 10

What is the Guardian Angel Wellness Program?

Accepted Answer

The Guardian Angel Wellness Program is Ixir Health's annual comprehensive preventive health program. For an annual fee of $2,500, patients receive a defined set of advanced wellness services that go well beyond what a standard insurance-covered annual physical provides. These services are not billed to Medicare or any other insurance carrier. The program includes body composition analysis, resting EKG, ankle brachial index, spirometry, audiometric screening, grip strength assessment, depression and anxiety screening, sleep health evaluation, comprehensive nutrition assessment, cognitive screening for patients 65 and older, Guardian Angel Nutrition Counseling with Dr. Sahar Dagher PharmD, a customized laboratory panel, and a personal health record. Guardian Angel members also receive Body Balance services including four nutrition coaching visits per year and ongoing weight loss medication management where clinically appropriate.

Question 11

My insurance already covers an annual physical. Why do I need the Guardian Angel Wellness Program?

Accepted Answer

A standard insurance-covered annual physical typically includes a basic metabolic panel, a cholesterol check, and a brief review of current symptoms. The Ixir Health Guardian Angel Wellness Program goes substantially further. It includes advanced diagnostics, body composition analysis, cardiovascular screening, pulmonary function testing, cognitive and mental health assessments, audiometric screening, comprehensive nutrition evaluation, and a customized laboratory panel selected specifically for you by Dr. Dagher, all reviewed in dedicated one-on-one time with your physician. The goal is to identify health risks years before they become problems, and to build a genuinely personalized prevention plan around your individual results.

Question 12

Does my insurance cover the Guardian Angel Wellness Program fee?

Accepted Answer

No. The annual Guardian Angel Wellness Program fee is not covered or reimbursed by Medicare or any other insurance carrier. It covers a defined set of enhanced wellness services that fall outside of what traditional insurance plans reimburse. This is clearly disclosed in the Ixir Health Membership Agreement prior to enrollment.

Question 13

How much does the Guardian Angel Wellness Program cost?

Accepted Answer

The annual program fee is $2,500. Payments can be made annually, semi-annually, or quarterly as elected by the patient. The fee is subject to change with no fewer than 30 days notice before the end of your current term.

Question 14

What happens if I want to cancel the Guardian Angel Wellness Program?

Accepted Answer

Either party may terminate the agreement with 30 days written notice. If you cancel prior to receiving any services, you are entitled to a prorated refund of the annual fee. If you have already received your program services, you will not be eligible for a refund and will be responsible for the balance of the annual fee.

Question 15

Does the Guardian Angel Wellness Program renew automatically?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The agreement renews automatically for an additional one-year term upon expiration, unless terminated by either party in accordance with the agreement terms.

Question 16

What is the Body Balance Plan?

Accepted Answer

The Body Balance Plan is Ixir Health's standalone medical weight loss and metabolic health program. It is a cash-pay membership available to patients who want a clinically supervised, personalized approach to weight management, without enrolling in the full Guardian Angel Wellness Program. It is led by Dr. Christopher Dagher, MD, board-certified in Obesity Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, in collaboration with Dr. Sahar Dagher, PharmD, integrative nutritionist.

Question 17

What is the difference between the Body Balance Plan and the Guardian Angel Wellness Program?

Accepted Answer

The Body Balance Plan is a standalone weight loss and metabolic health program — it does not include the full annual wellness assessment, advanced diagnostics, customized lab panel, cardiac screenings, cognitive assessments, or personal health record that are part of the Guardian Angel Wellness Program. Guardian Angel members receive Body Balance services included within their membership. Body Balance members do not receive Guardian Angel Wellness Program services. For patients who want the most comprehensive level of preventive care alongside weight management, the Guardian Angel Wellness Program is the recommended option.

Question 18

Does Ixir Health offer GLP-1 medications for weight loss?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ixir Health offers GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy — including semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) — as part of the Body Balance Plan for appropriate candidates. Dr. Dagher, board-certified in Obesity Medicine, evaluates each patient individually to determine whether GLP-1 therapy is appropriate based on their medical history, BMI, metabolic profile, and health goals. GLP-1 medications are always managed as part of a comprehensive plan that includes nutrition guidance, lifestyle support, and ongoing clinical monitoring.

Question 19

Am I a candidate for GLP-1 weight loss therapy?

Accepted Answer

GLP-1 medications are FDA-approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea. Candidacy also depends on your personal and family medical history, including contraindications such as a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Dr. Dagher performs a thorough clinical evaluation before recommending any medication.

Question 20

What if I want to lose weight without GLP-1 medication?

Accepted Answer

The Body Balance Plan is not exclusively a GLP-1 program. Many patients achieve meaningful, sustainable weight loss through a personalized combination of nutritional therapy, lifestyle medicine, metabolic optimization, and behavioral support, without medication. Dr. Sahar Dagher works with each patient to develop a realistic, evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle plan tailored to their individual body, goals, and daily life.

Question 21

Is insurance coverage available for GLP-1 medications prescribed through the Body Balance Plan?

Accepted Answer

The Body Balance Plan itself is a cash-pay program. However, GLP-1 prescription medications may be eligible for coverage under your individual insurance plan, particularly if you have a qualifying diagnosis such as obesity or type 2 diabetes. Many PPO and employer-sponsored plans now cover FDA-approved GLP-1 medications with appropriate documentation. Our team can help you understand your options, including prior authorization support pathways where applicable.

Question 22

Can I do the Body Balance Plan if I am already on other medications?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases. GLP-1 medications and other weight loss therapies can interact with certain medications, particularly insulin and other diabetes drugs. Because Dr. Sahar Dagher, PharmD, is embedded directly in the Body Balance care team, medication review and interaction management are built into your care — an important clinical safeguard that most weight loss programs do not offer.

Question 23

How do I know whether the Body Balance Plan or the Guardian Angel Wellness Program is right for me?

Accepted Answer

If your primary goal is medically supervised weight loss and metabolic health, the Body Balance Plan is a focused starting point. If you want comprehensive annual preventive care — including advanced cardiovascular, metabolic, cognitive, and nutritional assessments — alongside weight management, the Guardian Angel Wellness Program is the better fit, as it includes Body Balance services within the membership. Book a complimentary Meet and Greet with Dr. Dagher at ixirhealth.com to discuss which program fits your goals.

Question 24

How do I reach Dr. Dagher between visits?

Accepted Answer

Ixir Health patients have direct access to Dr. Dagher via phone, text, and secure messaging, without going through a call center or waiting days for a callback. Direct physician access is one of the most valued aspects of the Ixir Health model.

Question 25

How quickly can I get an appointment at Ixir Health?

Accepted Answer

Ixir Health maintains a limited patient panel specifically so that scheduling is responsive to your needs. Same-day or next-day appointments are typically available.

Question 26

Does Ixir Health offer telehealth visits?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Telehealth and virtual visits are available for established Ixir Health patients for appropriate clinical situations. In-person visits remain the standard for comprehensive evaluations, physical examinations, and Guardian Angel Wellness Program services.

Question 27

How do I enroll in the Guardian Angel Wellness Program or Body Balance Plan?

Accepted Answer

The first step is a complimentary Meet and Greet visit with Dr. Dagher at ixirhealth.com. This no-obligation conversation allows you to learn about each program, ask questions, and determine which option best fits your health goals. You can also call our Pasadena office at (626) 986-6874.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions