Primary Care Doctor in Massachusetts, Now Accepting New Patients Online
Dr. Shakeilla Howell is now licensed in Massachusetts and welcoming new patients age 12 and older by secure video. Get a doctor who knows you, without the months-long waitlist, the commute, or the parking garage.
Availability
Mon, Tue, Thu & Fri
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM ET
Finding a Primary Care Doctor in Massachusetts Shouldn't Take Months
If you've called practice after practice and heard "we're not taking new patients," you're not alone. About 30% of Massachusetts residents have had trouble getting primary care, according to the state's Center for Health Information and Analysis.
When the Lown Institute called 86 greater Boston primary care offices in 2025, 26% weren't taking new patients. For those that were, the average wait for a new patient physical was 3.25 months, and some were booking 8 months out.
Meanwhile, prescriptions run out and health questions pile up. Virtual primary care gives you another way in.
ABOUT
Dr. Shakeilla Howell, MD
Board-Certified Integrative & Family Medicine Physician in multiple states
Dr. Shakeilla Howell is a family medicine doctor board-certified physician in Integrative and Family Medicine and the founder of Tree of Life Integrative Family Medicine, a 100% virtual practice.
She built her practice for patients who want a doctor who listens. Her approach blends evidence-based medicine with integrative, faith-centered care. She treats your symptoms, and she also helps you understand what's driving them, so you can feel better for the long run.
Dr. Howell is licensed in Massachusetts, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, & Wisconsin.
She also hosts a health podcast featuring doctors and wellness experts. Youtube channel @ShakeillaHowell
Why Busy Massachusetts Patients Are Choosing Telehealth
Skip the waitlist.
Instead of waiting until next season for a first appointment, you can get established with a primary care doctor sooner.
No commute, traffic, or parking.
Forget sitting on the Pike, circling for a spot, or riding the T across town. Your appointment starts from your couch or your desk.
Care that fits your workday.
Most visits fit into a lunch break, so you're not burning a half day of PTO for a 15-minute checkup.
A real doctor relationship, not an app.
Many telehealth apps connect you to whoever is on shift. At Tree of Life, you see Dr. Howell every time. She knows your history, tracks your labs over time, and builds your plan with you.
Unhurried visits.
Dr. Howell isn't racing through a packed schedule. You have time to ask questions and leave knowing exactly what comes next.
Whole-person care.
Along with standard medical care, she looks at the things that shape your health every day: sleep, stress, nutrition, gut health, and faith.
One doctor for you and your teen.
Dr. Howell sees patients age 12 and up, so families can stay together under one trusted doctor.
What You Might Not Know You Can Do From Home
Get lab work done close by.
Dr. Howell orders your labs, you get a quick blood draw at a nearby lab, and she reviews the results with you by video.
Refill prescriptions without a gap.
Prescriptions go electronically to your preferred pharmacy, from Boston to the Berkshires.
Get specialist referrals.
Need a cardiologist, endocrinologist, or therapist? She'll coordinate the referral for you.
Stay on top of preventive care.
She can review which screenings are due for your age and order what you need.
Talk about the hard stuff.
Menopause symptoms, burnout, anxiety, and low mood are often easier to discuss from the privacy of home.
Get a plan you can actually follow.
Nutrition, sleep, and stress guidance built around your real schedule, not a generic handout.
When You'll Still Need In-Person Care
Some things need hands-on care, like a physical exam, imaging, or urgent treatment. When that happens, Dr. Howell will tell you and point you to the right local option. For a medical emergency, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Serving Patients Across Massachusetts
We see patients anywhere in the Commonwealth, including Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, Lowell, Brockton, Quincy, Lynn, New Bedford, Fall River, Cape Cod, the North Shore, the South Shore, and Western Mass. If you're in Massachusetts during your visit, you're covered.
PERSONALIZED CARE
Conditions We Treat
We manage a wide range of chronic, acute, and preventive health needs virtually, including hypertension, diabetes and prediabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disorders, obesity, menopause and hormonal wellness, anxiety, depression, and stress, sleep concerns, and general primary care needs.
Diabetes & Prediabetes
Hypertension
Menopause & Hormonal Wellness
High Cholesterol
Anxiety
Depression
Thyroid Disorders
Sleep Concerns
Obesity
General Primary Care
How Your Virtual Visit Works
STEP 1
Book or inquire online or by phone
STEP 2
Insurance verification
STEP 5
Receive your care plan, labs, referrals, and follow-up recommendations
STEP 3
Complete intake forms & registration
STEP 4
Attend your secure, HIPAA-compliant video visit
Full details available on our
How Virtual Visits Work page.
COVERAGE
Insurance We Accept
We accept many major commercial insurance plans as well as Medicare, including Aetna, AmeriHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield Horizon, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Cigna, Clover Health, Coventry First Health PPO, Galaxy Health Network, InterGroup Services, New Jersey Health Plan, QualCare, UnitedHealthcare, and WellCare. Coverage varies by plan, so we encourage patients to verify their benefits before scheduling. Out-of-network and self-pay options are also available.
Clover Health
UnitedHealthcare
New Jersey Health Plan
Aetna
Coventry First Health PPO
Cigna
QualCare
AmeriHealth
WellCare
BCBS Horizon
Medicare
Pennsylvania Telehealth FAQs
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Most new patients can be seen as soon as the next day. Once you complete your registration, you can book the next available appointment with Dr. Howell, with no months-long waitlist.
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Yes. New patients age 12 and older can book online or call 609-354-5553.
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For many primary care needs, like managing blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, and mental health, a video visit covers what you need. When a hands-on exam is required, Dr. Howell will let you know.
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Yes. When clinically appropriate, prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy of choice anywhere in Indiana.
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Yes. When clinically appropriate, prescriptions are sent electronically to the pharmacy of your choice anywhere in Indiana.
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Just a smartphone, tablet, or computer with an internet connection — no app download or special equipment required.
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Many primary care and integrative medicine concerns can be managed virtually, including diabetes and prediabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, weight management, thyroid disorders, menopause and hormonal wellness, anxiety, and depression.
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Yes. Dr. Howell sees patients age 12 and up. A parent or guardian joins visits for minors.
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Every visit runs on a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform, so your health information is protected no matter where in Indiana you're joining from.
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A wide range of primary care and integrative medicine concerns, including diabetes and prediabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, weight management, thyroid disorders, menopause and hormonal wellness, anxiety, and depression.
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Yes. Dr. Howell works alongside your current specialists and can coordinate new referrals when needed.
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Yes. Every visit happens on a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform.
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You need to be physically in a state where Dr. Howell is licensed during your visit. If you'll be traveling, let us know and we'll reschedule. (Telehealth.HHS.gov)
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No. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Stop Waiting Months for a Doctor
You deserve a primary care doctor who has time for you. Get unhurried, whole-person care from anywhere in Massachusetts. Residents can book a virtual visit with Dr. Howell online or by calling/texting 609-354-5553.