Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve pulled some frequently asked questions and answered them below. If you have any other questions that we may have missed, contact us and we will do our best to help you.

Do you take insurance?

We would like to keep you, the patient, at the center of care.  The current trend in healthcare (with 10 minute visits and insurance limitations) is not going in a direction that supports how we want to deliver care.  By accepting a single monthly membership fee and contracting directly with you, we are able to reduce overhead and administrative burden and give you the longer appointment time and the attention that you deserve.  Because we work for you, not the insurance company, we get to use the latest evidence to decide together what is best.

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If you do have insurance, we can still see you.  Many patients value our membership for the quality of care we provide, for the improved access to the physician, and for the cost savings on lab and radiology testing.    Our membership is a perfect complement to your health insurance.  We encourage you to have insurance for the big, catastrophic life-events; however, similar to filling our cars with gas and changing the oil, insurance is not necessary for basic primary care.     

Although we do not bill insurance, we are able to submit your insurance information to cover lab or radiology testing if you prefer.  However, with the low cash pricing, many patients elect to pay cash.  

What if I have Medicare or Medicaid?

We have seen so many patients struggle to find a provider under these programs, and we would really like to be able to be your doctor. However, given current legislation, we cannot accept Medicaid patients, even if you pay out of pocket for our membership fee, as it can be argued that is breaking the law. (However, Medicaid covered patients can be members if an employer pays for their membership). 

As for Medicare, we treat it just like any other insurance - sometimes it’s less expensive to get labs, imaging, or medications through our office. Sometimes our doctors can send those orders to other pharmacies and facilities to have them covered by Medicare. We still require the monthly membership fee that Medicare does not cover. Medicare beneficiaries will be asked to sign a waiver that they understand this process, and that they will not submit the membership invoice to Medicare for reimbursement. 

Even though Medicare will not pay us for any services you receive in our practice, your Medicare benefits will otherwise remain unchanged.  You can continue to use Medicare for all other medical care received outside of our practice. Medicare will still cover most laboratory testing, imaging, medications, or hospitalizations prescribed by our offices.

What if I need medical care while I am away from home?

The DPC model is set up to treat patients wherever they are located. Many illnesses can be diagnosed and treated with a simple conversation over the phone or by video. We can help locate the nearest pharmacy and send an order for the medications most appropriate for your circumstances.  If you need to be seen in person we can help direct you to a clinic where you will be able to receive care.