Senior primary care in Tampa that takes the time.
Primary care for adults 65 and older with the same board-certified physician at every visit: unhurried appointments, real medication review, and Medicare wellness care built for your age, not a 15-minute slot.
- The same physician every visitYou see Dr. Jason Saylor, DO each time, not a rotating panel or a resident.
- Unhurried, hour-long first visitsFull medication review, fall and cognitive screening, and a real plan for the year ahead.
- Carrollwood office or FL telehealthCome in near the Veterans Expressway, or see us by secure video anywhere in Florida.
Free · Confidential
Request a callback
A patient coordinator calls you within one business day. No cost, no obligation.
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A patient coordinator will reach out within one business day. If you would rather not wait, call (813) 670-3331.
Continuity is the whole point of senior care.
The medications, falls, and memory changes that matter most after 65 only show up when one physician knows your full history and has time to look. That is hard to get in a 15-minute slot or a rotating hospital panel.
Request a callbackMost senior primary care in Tampa runs on volume. This is built around the same physician, an unhurried hour, and a plan for the whole year.
Senior primary care in Tampa at Ascend Mind and Body means same-week appointments at our Carrollwood office (3971 Moran Road, Suite 101, 33618) or Florida telehealth follow-ups for established patients, with the same physician each visit and visit lengths built for adults 65 and older. That includes the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, full medication reconciliation, fall and cognitive screening, chronic disease management tuned to older-adult risk, and advance care planning. Dr. Jason Saylor, DO is the physician. Call (813) 670-3331 or request a callback.
Tampa's senior primary care landscape runs to two extremes. On one side, large hospital-system practices where continuity is inconsistent and you may see a different provider, or a rotating resident, at each visit. On the other, stand-alone Medicare Advantage senior centers built for volume, where visit slots are often 15 to 20 minutes and, if you carry Original Medicare or the wrong Medicare Advantage plan, several of them cannot see you at all because the whole business model is a single capitated contract.
Ascend's Carrollwood office is a third option: a board-certified family medicine practice where you see the same physician at every visit, first appointments run about an hour, and the payer mix is not limited to one Medicare Advantage network. Geriatric-focused primary care is a different scope of practice, not a relabeled adult physical. Medications that were fine at 54 interact differently at 74. Falls become a trackable clinical outcome, not a one-off accident. Cognition is something you screen for on a schedule. And the conversation about what care you actually want has to happen before a crisis forces it.
Illustrative
One physician who actually knows your history
Every senior patient at the Carrollwood office is seen by Dr. Jason Saylor, DO, a board-certified family medicine physician with 17 years of clinical experience and Chief Medical Officer at Ascend, whose scope explicitly includes senior care, medication reconciliation, fall prevention, and chronic disease management.
- Board-certified family medicine (DO)
- 17 years clinical experience
- Chief Medical Officer
- Medicare AWV and chronic care
Dr. Jason Saylor, DO is a board-certified osteopathic family medicine physician who sees Tampa-area seniors in person at the Carrollwood office and via Florida-statewide telehealth for established-patient follow-ups. His clinical scope covers senior care, preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and medication reconciliation, built on a broad family medicine background rather than a separate geriatric fellowship. He is the reviewer of record for this page.
Geriatric medicine organizes around a set of overlapping problems, sometimes called geriatric syndromes, that do not show up cleanly on a single lab value: polypharmacy, falls, cognitive change, frailty, incontinence, and social isolation. None of these is a single diagnosis code, which is exactly why they get missed in a rushed visit built around chief complaints. Our first-visit structure surfaces them on purpose: a thorough medication list (including supplements and over-the-counter drugs), a fall and near-fall history, a validated cognitive screen, a depression screen, and a conversation about who is home, who helps, and what daily life actually looks like.
Is a family medicine physician the right fit, or do you need a geriatrician?
A geriatrician completes additional fellowship training focused specifically on aging. For most senior patients without highly complex frailty, a family medicine scope that explicitly includes senior care covers the visit well. Patients with very complex geriatric needs (advanced dementia management, a full interdisciplinary geriatric assessment team) may also benefit from a geriatric specialist referral, which we help coordinate rather than pretend we are the only answer.
Real appointment access, and an unhurried visit
New senior patients are typically scheduled within the week, the first visit runs about 60 minutes, and follow-ups run 30 to 45 minutes, in person or by telehealth. Nobody is rushed through a five-minute appointment.
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You request a callback
Call (813) 670-3331 or use the form. A coordinator confirms your goals, insurance, and scheduling, and verifies your benefits before the first visit.
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Your first visit is about an hour
A thorough history, focused exam, a Medicare-appropriate cognitive screen, depression screen, and fall risk assessment, plus a full medication reconciliation against what you are actually taking.
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You leave with a real plan
What labs, what specialist follow-up, which screenings are due, and what is coming in the next year, written down rather than rushed.
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Follow-ups fit your life
Established patients do many follow-ups by Florida telehealth from home, with family welcome to join, and come in for the annual wellness visit and anything needing a hands-on exam.
If something new comes up mid-appointment, we deal with it in that visit rather than asking you to book a second one. That is the practical difference an unhurried visit makes.
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, explained plainly
If you have Medicare Part B, you are entitled to an Annual Wellness Visit every year at no copay, and it is not the same thing as a physical exam.
Actual waiting area
Medicare recognizes three distinct visit types, and the differences trip a lot of people up. The Welcome to Medicare visit is one-time, in your first 12 months of Part B. The Annual Wellness Visit is the yearly, no-copay risk assessment after that. A physical or problem-focused visit is a separate, billable hands-on exam. We layer a focused exam onto your AWV so you get both in one trip.
- The Welcome to Medicare visit (Initial Preventive Physical Examination, or IPPE): a one-time visit available only within your first 12 months of Medicare Part B enrollment. It covers a review of your medical and social history, a basic exam, and screening schedule planning.
- The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV): available every year after that, covering a Health Risk Assessment, cognitive screening, fall risk assessment, depression screen, review of current medications, updated advance directive status, and a personalized prevention plan listing which screenings are due.
- A physical exam or problem-focused visit: a separate, billable visit (with your normal cost-sharing) where a provider actually examines you for a specific concern; the AWV is a risk-assessment and planning visit, not a hands-on exam by itself.
Because splitting these into two separate appointments is inconvenient for patients who drove to Carrollwood, most Ascend senior patients layer a focused exam onto the same visit as their AWV. You get both the Medicare-covered risk assessment and the physical exam that visit, billed appropriately for each component. Medicare eligibility is not strictly an age-65 rule either: some younger adults qualify due to a qualifying disability or certain diagnoses, and the same AWV benefit applies to them once enrolled.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: why it decides who your doctor can be
Short version: Original Medicare lets you see almost any Medicare-participating provider in the country; Medicare Advantage plans use a private-insurer network, and that network decides which senior primary care practices you are allowed to use. This is the single biggest reason Tampa seniors end up stuck at a clinic they do not love, their plan's network only includes a handful of practices, often the large capitated senior centers, and switching plans mid-year is restricted to specific enrollment windows.
| Coverage type | How provider choice works | What to check before booking |
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| Original Medicare (Parts A/B) | See any provider who accepts Medicare assignment, nationwide, no referral needed for primary care. | Whether the practice accepts Medicare assignment (we verify this before your visit). |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) | Restricted to the plan's contracted network; HMO plans usually require in-network referrals for specialists. | Whether your specific plan's network includes the practice, and how specialist referrals route. |
| Medigap (supplement) + Original Medicare | Same open access as Original Medicare, with the supplement covering most of the coinsurance gap. | Which supplement plan letter you carry, since coverage of the Part B coinsurance varies by plan. |
Ascend is currently in the Medicare credentialing process (see the insurance section below for exactly where that stands), and in the meantime is in-network with Aetna, including Aetna Medicare Advantage plans, and ChampVA. If you are choosing a Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment specifically to keep a particular doctor, always confirm that doctor's specific network status directly with the plan; provider directories are notoriously out of date.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "Your Medicare Coverage Choices" and "Yearly Wellness Visit" program guidance. Medicare.gov and CMS.gov.
Ready for care that actually takes the time?
Tell us what is going on and we will get you scheduled, usually within the week. Same physician every visit, in Carrollwood or by Florida telehealth. The first conversation is information, not a commitment.
In-person in Carrollwood or by Florida telehealth statewide for established patients.
Chronic disease management, adjusted for the realities of aging
The target numbers and treatment thresholds that make sense for a 45-year-old often do not apply the same way at 78. Good senior primary care adjusts the goal, not just the medication, individualized to your health, frailty, and fall history rather than applied by age alone.
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Blood pressureMost common
Managed with attention to orthostatic drops and fall risk, not just the seated office reading.
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Type 2 diabetes
A1c targets often loosened for older or frailer patients, because hypoglycemia can outweigh tight control.
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Cholesterol
Statin decisions after 75 are a genuine risk-benefit conversation, not a default by age alone.
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Thyroid disease
Common and frequently under- or overtreated in seniors, monitored more closely than a general practice would.
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Chronic pain
Non-opioid approaches first, with active deprescribing where appropriate given fall and confusion risk.
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Preventive screenings
Cancer screening pacing, immunizations, and bone density on age- and risk-adjusted schedules.
Read more
If you are ever in immediate danger or having thoughts of self-harm, call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or 911 now. For everything short of that, a first visit is simply information.
Blood pressure and orthostatic drops
We manage hypertension with specific attention to orthostatic blood pressure (the drop that happens standing up), because aggressive lowering that looks great on paper can cause dizziness and falls in an older patient. Treatment targets are individualized to your overall health, frailty, and fall history rather than applied as a flat rule.
Diabetes and hypoglycemia risk
For type 2 diabetes, HbA1c targets are often intentionally loosened for older adults, particularly those who are frail or have limited life expectancy, because tight glucose control raises the risk of dangerous hypoglycemia without a clear corresponding benefit in that population. The American Diabetes Association's Standards of Care includes a dedicated older-adults section addressing exactly this individualization.
Bone health and osteoporosis
Bone density loss is largely silent until a fracture happens, which is why the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends bone density screening (a DXA scan) for women 65 and older, and earlier for those with specific risk factors; screening recommendations for men are less settled and are individualized based on risk. A hip or spine fracture in an older adult is a serious event, so we treat bone density as part of the same conversation as fall prevention rather than a separate issue.
Depression and isolation in later life
Depression in older adults is not a normal part of aging. It is frequently underdiagnosed because it can present as physical complaints or irritability rather than sadness, and it carries real risk, including a suicide rate among older adults, particularly older men, that is higher than in most other age groups. We screen for depression at every Annual Wellness Visit using a brief validated questionnaire and take a positive screen seriously. When it makes sense, we refer to talk therapy for grief, life transitions, or ongoing depression and anxiety alongside the medical management we provide.
Medication reconciliation and polypharmacy
Actual Carrollwood office
Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, medication reconciliation, fall and cognitive screening, and chronic disease management are built for adults 65 and older.
Polypharmacy, typically five or more regular medications, is one of the highest-yield things a senior visit can address, because the risk of a harmful interaction climbs with every drug added, especially when multiple prescribers are not talking to each other. We reconcile the full list at every visit, flag what may no longer be needed, and coordinate deprescribing with your specialists.
We see patients arrive with a dozen prescriptions from four different prescribers, duplicated drug classes nobody caught, and supplements a family member picked up that nobody flagged as relevant. The American Geriatrics Society's Beers Criteria informs this conversation without dictating it; it is a reference list of medications that carry higher risk in older adults, not an automatic stop-order.
Combinations we specifically watch for
Anticholinergic burden
Older sedating antihistamines, some bladder medications, and certain antidepressants can stack up to worsen confusion, dry mouth, constipation, and fall risk when combined. We total the anticholinergic load across every prescriber rather than judging any single drug in isolation.
Sedative-hypnotic and opioid combinations
Benzodiazepines, sleep aids, muscle relaxants, and opioids taken together significantly raise fall and respiratory-depression risk in older adults. This combination gets specific attention during reconciliation, and where appropriate we look for a safer path with the prescribing specialist rather than simply stopping something abruptly.
The "triple whammy"
A diuretic, an ACE inhibitor or ARB, and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (like ibuprofen or naproxen) taken concurrently is a well-documented combination linked to acute kidney injury risk in observational research. It is common precisely because each drug class is prescribed for a different, reasonable-sounding reason, which is why one physician looking at the whole list matters.
Deprescribing, done carefully
None of this means every medication on these lists is wrong for you; individual responses and risk-benefit calculations vary, which is exactly why medication decisions get made in the exam room with your full history, not off a checklist. When a medication may no longer be needed, we taper and coordinate rather than stop things in a vacuum.
American Geriatrics Society. "2023 Updated AGS Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults." J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023;71(7):2052-2081. Lapi F, et al. BMJ. 2013;346:e8525.
Falls, cognition, and screening: what it is, and what it honestly is not
Fall prevention and mobility
Falls are common, often preventable, and addressed at every senior visit through a structured risk assessment, not just a question at the end of the appointment. Our process follows the structure of the CDC's STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) framework: we ask about falls and near-falls in the past year, screen gait and balance, review medications that increase fall risk (sedatives, some blood pressure medications, anything causing dizziness), and check vision and footwear. When indicated, we walk through home safety basics and refer to physical therapy for a formal balance and strength program.
- Loose rugs, cords, or clutter across walking paths, especially between the bedroom and bathroom
- Lighting on stairs and in hallways, including a nightlight for nighttime bathroom trips
- Grab bars near the toilet and in the shower or tub, and a non-slip bath mat
- Sturdy handrails on both sides of any staircase, and firm-soled footwear with a back strap rather than loose slippers
- Whether a cane or walker prescribed for you is actually being used, and used correctly
Cognitive screening: what it is, and what it is not
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit includes a brief, structured cognitive screen, and we do one at every AWV, but it is a screening tool for planning purposes, not a diagnostic test. In its most recent formal review, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force concluded that current evidence is insufficient to weigh the balance of benefits and harms of screening all asymptomatic older adults for cognitive impairment. That is not a reason to skip it; it is a reason to be honest about what a positive or negative screen actually tells you: a starting point for conversation and monitoring, not a verdict.
If a screen raises concern, or if you or a family member notices a change that worries you between visits (repeating questions, getting lost on a familiar route, trouble managing finances that used to be easy), we do not treat that as routine aging. We do a more detailed history, review whether medications or an untreated condition (thyroid disease, depression, sleep apnea, a urinary tract infection) could be contributing, and refer to neurology or neuropsychological testing when a fuller workup is warranted. Some memory change with age is normal; a change that affects your ability to manage daily life is not something we wait out.
Vision, hearing, sleep, and nutrition
Uncorrected vision and hearing loss are two of the most fixable contributors to falls, cognitive-seeming confusion, and social withdrawal, and both get overlooked because patients adapt to gradual loss. We ask about your last eye exam and encourage annual dilated exams, and we talk through a hearing referral if you have noticed asking people to repeat themselves. Poor sleep, unexplained fatigue, and appetite or weight changes are worth investigating rather than dismissing as "just getting older," they are often the first sign of something treatable, from sleep apnea to a medication side effect. Unintentional weight loss of more than about 5 percent of body weight over six to twelve months is something we work up rather than watch. We also counter the age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) that drives fall risk with practical protein, hydration, and activity guidance, and check for common, easy-to-fix deficiencies like vitamin B12 and vitamin D.
Immunizations for older adults
The immunization schedule for adults 65 and older is more involved than the flu shot most people default to, and several of these vaccines target risks that rise sharply with age. We review this list at every Annual Wellness Visit rather than assuming you are current.
- Shingles (recombinant zoster vaccine): for adults 50 and older, a two-dose series, to reduce shingles and the nerve pain that can follow it.
- Pneumococcal vaccines: for adults 65 and older; the specific vaccine and timing depend on your prior vaccination history.
- RSV vaccine: for adults 60 and older, particularly those with underlying heart or lung disease.
- Influenza: annual, with a higher-dose formulation available for adults 65 and older because immune response weakens with age.
- COVID-19: updated boosters on a schedule that changes over time; we confirm current recommendations at each visit.
- Tdap/Td: a booster every 10 years, or sooner after a significant wound.
CDC STEADI initiative; Bergen G, et al. MMWR. 2016;65(37):993-998. US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2020;323(8):757-763. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), CDC Adult Immunization Schedule.
Telehealth for seniors, and getting to and from appointments
Our Carrollwood office is built for older adults to get in without a fight, and for the visits that do not require an exam, Florida telehealth removes the drive entirely.
Established senior patients can complete most follow-ups by Florida telehealth from home, including medication review, chronic disease check-ins, and care coordination, with family welcome to join. Annual wellness visits and any visit needing a hands-on exam happen at the Carrollwood office, which has an accessible, no-stairs entrance and exam rooms sized for walkers and wheelchairs.
- Accessible by design: a single-story building, surface parking near the entrance, an accessible entrance with no stairs, and exam rooms that accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.
- HART bus and paratransit: the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) serves the Carrollwood corridor along Dale Mabry and Gunn Highway, and HART's HARTPlus paratransit provides door-to-door service for riders who qualify due to age or disability. Check current routes and eligibility directly with HART.
- Medicare Advantage transportation benefits: many Medicare Advantage plans include a supplemental benefit for a set number of rides to medical appointments each year. This is not universal; check your plan's member handbook or call the number on your insurance card.
- Rideshare and family drop-off: the accessible, no-stairs entrance makes rideshare and family drop-off straightforward for patients who no longer drive.
- Telehealth for established patients: once you are established, most follow-up visits, chronic disease check-ins, and medication reviews can be done from home over secure video, with family and caregivers welcome to join with your consent.
What you actually need for a telehealth visit
A smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera and a reasonably stable internet connection is enough; in most cases you do not need to download specialized software ahead of time. If technology is the barrier rather than transportation, a family member can help set up the call or join from a separate device the first time. Florida law requires you to be physically located in Florida during the session, and your provider confirms that at the start of each visit. We would rather talk you through a clunky first telehealth visit than have you skip a follow-up because the technology felt intimidating.
Care coordination, transitions, and advance planning
Most senior primary care does not require a specialist, but knowing when it does, and coordinating that referral into a closed loop, is part of the job. The days right after a hospital discharge are a high-risk window, and a prompt follow-up visit measurably reduces the risk of bouncing back to the ER.
Knowing when primary care is enough, and when it is not
Routine labs for a stable senior patient on chronic disease management (basic metabolic panel, lipid panel, HbA1c, thyroid function, and others as indicated) are typically checked every three to twelve months depending on what is being managed and how stable it is, not on a rigid universal schedule. We refer out when a condition genuinely needs specialist-level management: cardiology for complex or unstable heart disease, endocrinology for difficult diabetes or thyroid disease, neurology for a concerning cognitive screen, and urology for issues beyond what primary care manages well. The goal of a referral is always a closed loop: we send the records, we get the specialist's notes back, and we reconcile whatever they change against the rest of your medication list.
Transitions of care after a hospital stay or ER visit
Medication changes made in the hospital are not always communicated well to the outpatient side, and Medicare recognizes this with a dedicated transitional care management service for a follow-up scheduled within a set window after discharge. If you or a family member has been hospitalized or seen in the ER, call us before your next regularly scheduled visit. We reconcile any medication changes against your outpatient list (a step where things frequently fall through the cracks), review the discharge instructions with you, and address anything that needs faster follow-up.
Advance care planning in Florida
Advance care planning means putting your own wishes in writing while you can. Florida Statutes Chapter 765 governs health care advance directives, including a living will (your wishes about life-prolonging treatment) and the designation of a health care surrogate. Separately, if you want emergency responders to honor a do-not-resuscitate decision outside a hospital, Florida requires a specific yellow Do Not Resuscitate Order form (DH Form 1896); a general living will alone does not instruct paramedics in the field. We raise these topics as part of ongoing care, not as a one-time checkbox, and we refer you to an elder law attorney to draft and execute the documents correctly. It is not about rushing anyone toward a decision; it is about making sure your wishes, not a default, drive your care if you cannot speak for yourself.
Caregivers and HIPAA authorization
If you are the family member coordinating a loved one's care, you can be part of visits with the patient's consent and a signed HIPAA authorization on file naming you. That authorization lets us discuss the patient's health information with you; it does not automatically make you the legal decision-maker, which comes from a healthcare surrogate designation or a court-appointed guardian. These are different documents solving different problems, and we are glad to explain the distinction, though we are not attorneys and cannot draft the legal paperwork itself.
Signs it may be time for senior-focused care
There is no single age where you must switch, but a few signals suggest it would help more than it costs. Consider it if any of these sound familiar.
- Your current visits feel rushed, and you leave with questions you did not get to ask.
- You are on five or more medications from more than one prescriber, and nobody has reviewed the full list together in over a year.
- You have had a fall or a near-fall in the past year that you have not discussed with a doctor.
- A family member has mentioned a memory or judgment change that you have brushed off.
- You have not had a real conversation about your advance directive or healthcare surrogate.
- You are managing multiple chronic conditions and feel like your specialists are not talking to each other.
None of these alone means something is wrong. Together, they are a reasonable prompt to ask for a longer, more deliberately structured visit than a standard adult physical.
Insurance and access, stated plainly
Dr. Saylor is in-network with Aetna, including Aetna Medicare Advantage plans, and ChampVA. Medicare credentialing is in process, and we will update this page when it is active. We verify your benefits before your first visit, share the full self-pay picture up front if you need a bridge during the credentialing window, and issue superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. We are not going to tell you a plan covers something it does not.
In-network today
Dr. Saylor is currently in-network with Aetna and ChampVA, including Aetna Medicare Advantage plans where applicable. Credentialing is also in process for Medicare, BCBS, Humana, Medicaid (Careplus, Simply Healthcare), TRICARE East, Wellpoint, Oscar Health, and Health Network One. Once Medicare credentialing is active, Medicare covers the Annual Wellness Visit, chronic care management, and most preventive services with no copay.
If you need a self-pay bridge
During the Medicare credentialing window, self-pay is an option, and our medical billing team confirms the full picture with you up front when you call (813) 670-3331, before you book, so there are no surprises. Third-party financing programs are available, and we provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement if your plan allows it. We would rather you know exactly where you stand than discover a gap after the visit.
How Ascend compares to other senior care options in Tampa
The choice in Tampa is usually between a large hospital-system practice, a Medicare Advantage-only senior center built for volume, and a practice like Ascend that keeps a broader payer mix and a slower visit pace. Each has real tradeoffs worth naming honestly.
How Ascend compares to your other options
The tradeoffs are real, and we would rather you know them before you call.
| Model | Same physician each visit | Payer flexibility | Visit pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ascend Mind and Body, Carrollwood | Dr. Saylor every visit | Broader payer mix; Medicare credentialing in process | About 60 minutes for the first visit |
| Large hospital-system practice | Often a rotating provider | Broad, but access to in-system specialists is the draw | Varies; continuity is inconsistent |
| Medicare Advantage-only senior center | Often shared across a large panel | Locked to one capitated network | Frequently 15 to 20 minutes |
Ascend's Carrollwood senior primary care is a strong fit if you want a real relationship with one physician, you value a longer visit over a same-day walk-in slot, and your insurance situation allows some flexibility while Medicare credentialing finishes.
It may be a less natural fit if you specifically need a Medicare Advantage plan's zero-copay senior-center model right now and cannot bridge the current window, or if you need highly complex geriatric specialty services beyond a family medicine scope, in which case we will tell you that directly and help point you toward the right resource.
Illustrative
Senior care is built around what matters to you: staying mobile, managing medications safely, and keeping the people and routines you value.
Our Tampa office, and who we see
We are at 3971 Moran Road, Suite 101, in Carrollwood (33618), just east of the Veterans Expressway, with an accessible, no-stairs entrance and exam rooms sized for walkers and wheelchairs. We regularly see seniors from across Hillsborough County and nearby.
Ascend Mind and Body, Tampa
3971 Moran Road, Suite 101
Tampa, FL 33618 (Carrollwood)
Phone: (813) 670-3331
The building is single-story with surface parking, an accessible entrance with no stairs, and exam rooms that accommodate walkers and wheelchairs. From South Tampa via Dale Mabry, expect about 20 minutes northbound outside rush hour. From New Tampa or Tampa Palms via I-275 and Bearss, about 25 minutes west. From Westchase via the Veterans Expressway, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Drive times and areas we serve
| From | Approximate drive time |
|---|---|
| South Tampa (33606, 33609, 33611) | About 20 minutes via Dale Mabry |
| New Tampa & Tampa Palms (33647) | About 25 minutes via I-275 and Bearss |
| Westchase & Town N Country (33626, 33615) | 15 to 20 minutes via the Veterans Expressway |
| Citrus Park & Northdale (33625, 33624) | 10 to 15 minutes |
| Lutz (33549, 33558) | About 15 to 20 minutes |
We serve seniors from North Tampa and Carrollwood (33618), Citrus Park (33625), Northdale (33624), South Tampa (33606, 33609, 33611), Westchase and Town N Country (33626, 33615), Tampa Palms (33647), and Lutz (33549, 33558). Florida telehealth covers any Florida resident for eligible follow-up visits. Tampa/Carrollwood is one of three in-person Ascend locations, alongside Wesley Chapel and Lakeland, plus statewide Florida telehealth. Because the practice also covers primary care, psychiatry, and other services, a senior patient who also needs a medication evaluation or coordinated mental health care can be referred within the same organization rather than starting over elsewhere.
Related nearby senior care: senior care in Brandon, Riverview, Land O' Lakes, and St. Petersburg (Florida telehealth for those areas).
Function, frailty, and independence: the questions labs don't answer
Two patients with identical labs and the same diagnoses can be in very different places functionally, and the functional picture, not just the chart, is what actually predicts whether someone can keep living independently. Functional status, not birthdate, drives a lot of the decision-making in geriatric-focused care.
Frailty is not a diagnosis you either have or do not; it exists on a spectrum, and recognizing where a patient sits on it changes how aggressively we pursue certain treatments. We ask practical, specific questions rather than relying on how someone looks in the waiting room: Can you get up from a chair without using your arms? Can you carry your own groceries in from the car? Have you had to stop an activity you used to enjoy because of pain, balance, or fatigue? Are you still driving, and does that feel as safe as it used to? A plan appropriate for a robust, independent 80-year-old can be wrong for a frail 72-year-old.
Driving safety and independence
Driving is one of the hardest independence conversations in senior primary care, and we do not treat it lightly or bring it up reflexively. If a patient, a family member, or our own observation raises a specific concern (a recent accident or near-miss, new vision changes, a cognitive change affecting judgment, medications causing sedation), we discuss it honestly and can refer for a formal driving evaluation through occupational therapy, a more objective assessment than a family argument at the dinner table. We do not make blanket age-based recommendations about driving; the evaluation is about actual function, not age.
This page is informational and does not substitute for a clinical visit, legal advice, or a review of your specific insurance plan. Coverage of services depends on your specific Medicare or insurance plan; advance directive documents should be reviewed with a qualified attorney for your situation.
FAQs about senior care in Tampa
Still deciding? These are the questions Tampa seniors and their families ask most before they call.
Where in Tampa is the senior primary care office?
3971 Moran Road, Suite 101, in Carrollwood (33618), just east of the Veterans Expressway. The building is single-story with surface parking, an accessible entrance with no stairs, and exam rooms that accommodate walkers and wheelchairs. Most senior visits run about 60 minutes for the annual wellness visit and 30 to 45 minutes for follow-ups.
Do you accept Medicare in Tampa?
Medicare credentialing is in process for Dr. Saylor, and we will update this page when it is active. Currently the practice is in-network with Aetna, including Aetna Medicare Advantage plans, and ChampVA. We verify your benefits before your first visit and discuss self-pay options during the credentialing window.
What is the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, and how is it different from a physical?
The Annual Wellness Visit is a Medicare-covered risk assessment: health history review, medication review, cognitive screen, fall risk assessment, depression screen, vital signs, and a personalized prevention plan. It is not a hands-on physical exam by itself. We layer a focused exam onto the same appointment so you get both in one visit.
Does my Medicare Advantage plan limit which senior primary care doctor I can see?
Yes, usually. Medicare Advantage plans use a private network, and only practices contracted with your specific plan are covered. Original Medicare, by contrast, lets you see almost any provider who accepts Medicare assignment. Always confirm network status directly with your plan, since online directories are often out of date.
Is a geriatrician the same as a family medicine doctor who treats seniors?
Not exactly. A geriatrician completes additional fellowship training focused specifically on aging. Dr. Saylor is a board-certified family medicine physician whose clinical scope explicitly includes senior care, medication reconciliation, and chronic disease management, without a separate geriatric fellowship. Patients with very complex geriatric needs may also benefit from a geriatric specialist referral, which we can help coordinate.
How long is a senior primary care visit at Ascend?
About 60 minutes for the first visit or the annual wellness visit, and 30 to 45 minutes for follow-ups. Telehealth visits typically run a bit shorter. We do not schedule five-minute appointments, and you see the same physician each time.
What counts as polypharmacy, and why does it matter?
Polypharmacy is generally defined as taking five or more regular medications. The risk is not the number itself, it is that interactions, duplications, and side effects become harder to track as prescribers multiply. We reconcile your full list, including supplements and over-the-counter drugs, at every visit.
How does cognitive screening work, and what happens if something looks off?
We do a brief, structured cognitive screen at every Annual Wellness Visit. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If it raises concern, or you or a family member notices a real change in daily functioning, we do a deeper history, check for contributing causes like medications or thyroid disease, and refer to neurology or neuropsychological testing when warranted.
What is included in fall prevention care?
A fall and near-fall history, gait and balance screening, a review of medications that increase fall risk, and vision and footwear checks, following the structure of the CDC STEADI framework. We also cover home safety basics and refer to physical therapy for a formal balance program when appropriate.
Will my blood pressure and diabetes targets change as I get older?
Often, yes. Blood pressure targets account for orthostatic drops and fall risk, and diabetes A1c targets are frequently loosened for older or frailer patients because the harm from hypoglycemia can outweigh the benefit of tight control. These decisions are individualized, not applied by age alone.
Do you provide telehealth follow-ups for senior patients?
Yes. Established senior patients can complete most follow-up visits via Florida telehealth from home, including medication review, chronic disease check-ins, and care coordination. Annual wellness visits and any visit requiring an in-person exam are scheduled at the office. Family members are welcome to join telehealth visits with the patient's consent.
What immunizations should seniors get, and how often?
The adult schedule for 65 and older typically includes an annual high-dose flu shot, a pneumococcal vaccine, a two-dose shingles vaccine, an RSV vaccine for those 60 and older (especially with heart or lung disease), current COVID-19 boosters, and a Tdap or Td booster every 10 years. We review where you stand at every Annual Wellness Visit.
Can you help with advance directives and a healthcare surrogate in Florida?
We raise the conversation and explain the Florida-specific mechanisms: a living will and healthcare surrogate designation under Florida Statute Chapter 765, and the separate yellow Do Not Resuscitate Order form for out-of-hospital situations. We are not attorneys, so we refer you to an elder law attorney to draft and execute the documents correctly.
Can a family member be part of my care and talk to the doctor on my behalf?
Yes, with your consent and a signed HIPAA authorization on file naming that person. That authorization lets us discuss your health information with them; it is separate from, and does not replace, a legal healthcare surrogate designation.
I was just discharged from the hospital. Do I need a special follow-up visit?
Yes, ideally sooner than your next routine appointment. Call us after any hospitalization or ER visit. We reconcile medication changes made in the hospital against your outpatient list and review discharge instructions, which is a common point where errors happen if nobody double-checks.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Every medication bottle or a complete list with dose and frequency, your insurance or Medicare card, contact information for your other doctors, records of recent hospitalizations if you have them, any existing advance directive paperwork, and a family member if you would like a second set of ears.
What ZIP codes near Tampa do you serve?
North Tampa and Carrollwood (33618), Citrus Park (33625), Northdale (33624), South Tampa (33606, 33609, 33611), Westchase and Town N Country (33626, 33615), Tampa Palms (33647), and Lutz (33549, 33558). Florida telehealth covers any Florida resident for eligible follow-up visits.
Still have a question? Talk it through with our team.
(813) 670-3331Sources
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Yearly Wellness Visits
- American Geriatrics Society, 2023 Updated AGS Beers Criteria
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, STEADI: Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Screening for Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults
- American Diabetes Association, Standards of Care, Older Adults section
- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, CDC Adult Immunization Schedule
- Florida Statutes, Chapter 765, Health Care Advance Directives
Last medically reviewed by Dr. Jason Saylor, DO, Chief Medical Officer, on 2026-07-06.
This page is educational and does not replace an individualized clinical evaluation. Coverage of services depends on your specific Medicare or insurance plan, and advance directive documents should be reviewed with a qualified attorney.
Start with a conversation, not a commitment
Tell us what is going on and we will get you scheduled with Dr. Saylor, usually within the week, in Carrollwood or by Florida telehealth statewide for established patients. Real visit length, real medication review, real continuity.
In crisis right now? Call or text 988 anytime. Senior primary care is not an emergency service.