Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center

Our providers at Aspirus Tick-Borne Illness Center clinically diagnose and treat patients dealing with tick-borne illnesses, including: • Acute and chronic Lyme Borreliosis, other Borrelia infections such as Tick Borne Relapsing Fever Borreliosis, Bartonellosis, Babesiosis (aka, the 3 B’s) • Coinfections such as Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Rickettsia (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), Tularemia, and Mycoplasma • PANS/ PANDAS • Autoimmune diseases • Environmental toxicities • Many cases where the diagnosis is ‘unknown’ We use the MSIDS model of systemic inflammation, of which tick-borne disease is one of 16 categories of inflammation in the body. We recommend self-screening with the MSIDS form by any patient or provider referring a patient or loved one to our care. One example can be found at https://www.lymeactionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MSIDS.pdf.

In medicine, we often say that the key to understanding a case lies in the patient's history and physical exam. This process takes time—far more than the typical 15–30 minutes covered by insurance-based models. At our clinic, we bill based on time spent with you, with visits lasting up to 1–2 hours, depending on whether your case is acute or chronic, or if it's a new or follow-up appointment. Payment is due at the time of service. We accept cash, checks, and credit/debit cards with no added fees. Many patients successfully use FSA or HSA cards to cover both visit costs and treatment expenses. Your visit includes: • A thorough review of all available records and test results • A detailed history and full review of systems • A comprehensive head-to-toe physical exam • Lab testing for chronic fatigue and systemic inflammation, typically coded to be covered by insurance We also provide a Superbill after each visit, which you can submit to your secondary insurance provider for possible reimbursement (excluding Medicaid and Medicare). This care model ensures we have the time needed to fully address your case and also gives us the flexibility to offer additional treatments that go beyond what’s available through standard insurance-based or pharmacy channels.

Our Lyme-literate providers are trained by experienced Lyme specialists and follow evidence-informed protocols based on ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) guidelines. We take a comprehensive approach to treatment, often combining prescription medications—such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatories—with nutraceutical herbs and select repurposed drugs to address the complexities of tick-borne diseases. For instance, Lyme disease caused by Borrelia has three distinct forms in the body. While antibiotics target the spirochete form, additional therapies are needed to address the persister and biofilm forms. That’s why we develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your condition. In the early stages of care, we typically schedule follow-up visits every 4–6 weeks, extending the interval as your health stabilizes. • Acute cases often follow a 3-visit care track • Chronic cases may require a longer course of treatment, customized to your specific needs

As part of our fee-for-service model, we’re able to offer high-quality, professional-grade nutraceuticals directly at the point of care—during your visit. These supplements are often not available locally. For patients following up via telemedicine, we can also ship treatments directly to your home. Every purchase supports our mission—all proceeds from supplement sales go toward keeping our clinic running. If we recommend a product we don’t carry, we’ll gladly help you find it elsewhere or provide a trusted link for purchase.

You’re welcome to bring in a tick or share a clear photo of it. While we can send ticks for infection testing, please note that results can take several weeks and may involve a cost. Testing is not necessary for treatment, and most labs do not screen for Bartonella, a common coinfection. This year, we’re actively collecting ticks to support research on Babesia, the third most common tick-borne illness in the Northwoods. If you have a tick, feel free to drop it off — we’ll store it and send it to a research lab dedicated to better understanding this challenging disease.

Typically we recommend that your first visit with us is in-person. Our providers are licensed in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois as well as recently added states South Carolina, North Carolina, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Florida. We can do follow-up visits by telemedicine as needed, and now we have the ability to follow our seasonal Northwoods visitors as they return back to their home states. Patients needing long-term care with us are required to be seen in-person at least once per year.

The spirit of our clinic was born from a deep community need and brought to life through the generosity of local individuals who believed in its mission. We are deeply grateful to all who have contributed to making this vision a reality. Your support continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. If you would like to join this legacy of giving, donations are always appreciated. Thank you for your continued support.