Frequently Asked Questions
Direct primary care (DPC) is a healthcare model where patients pay a monthly or annual fee directly to their primary care physician or practice in exchange for visits and services. By bypassing insurance, DPC aims to provide more personalized, accessible, and affordable primary care while fostering stronger doctor-patient relationships.
Patients have direct access to their primary care provider without needing to go through insurance or scheduling hassles, leading to quicker appointments and more timely care. DPC practice typically takes care of a smaller panel of patients, about 300 to 500, versus the traditional primary care practice which oversees 2200 patients per provider. Patients know exactly what they're paying for upfront and what services are included, promoting transparency in pricing.
Not exactly. While similar in concept in offering more personalized care, direct primary care practices do not bill insurance for services. However, many people do still use the the term "concierge medicine" to describe this non-traditional model of care.
Yes, we can still order tests and refer you to specialists and other health services just like a traditional practice. These tests and services will be billed through your insurance. If you would like to pay out of pocket for labs, we do have discounted pricing available through Quest.
No, you do not need to have insurance to join our practice, although it is highly recommended as the membership fee will only cover primary care services. When paired with a high-deductible insurance plan, DPC could potentially yield some cost savings.
All typical primary care services are covered! If there is an additional charge to a service we are providing, we will make sure to let you know ahead of time so you can decide if you would like to proceed. We are fully committed to pricing transparency.
Yes, we can come visit you at home if traveling to our clinic is difficult. Home visits may be limited to end of the day and are free for members within 10-mile radius from our clinic location. Beyond that there is a travel fee of $4 per mile traveled roundtrip. For non-members, there is a travel fee of $7 per mile traveled roundtrip starting from our clinic location. Home visits should be arranged directly with the provider and not through online scheduling.
Medicare has a rule that prohibits provider from entering into a Direct Primary Care contract with the patient unless the provider opts out of Medicare. Because our provider is still enrolled in Medicare, this means that for patients who have Medicare and want to join our practice, they have to choose the concierge medicine pathway. As noted above, concierge medicine means that services will be submitted as claims through insurance in addition to the membership fee.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a hands-on therapy used by osteopathic physicians to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. It involves using various techniques to improve joint mobility, relieve muscle tension, and enhance the body's natural healing abilities. OMT is commonly used to address musculoskeletal issues, but it can also be applied to other areas of the body to promote overall health and well-being.
Lifestyle medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on using evidence-based lifestyle interventions to prevent, manage, and treat chronic diseases. It emphasizes the importance of healthy behaviors such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep optimization, and avoidance of harmful substances like tobacco and excessive alcohol. Lifestyle medicine providers work with patients to develop personalized plans to improve their overall health and well-being, often aiming to address the root causes of disease rather than just treating symptoms.
Easy! You can join online here or contact us so we can get you set up.
You can cancel your membership at any time by providing at least 30 days advance notice in writing. No refund will be issued unless you have prepaid for the year, in which case refund will be provided excluding the current membership month that we are in.
You can access a self-service portal here to manage your plan details, including plan members, invoices, and payment methods.