Frequently Asked Questions

Direct Primary Care, or DPC, is a model of healthcare that puts patients first by getting rid of the red tape that constrains traditional practices. How? It's simple: we don't accept insurance, and – believe it or not – this can actually save you money in the long run.

You won't have to pay a co-pay for office visits or routine physicals. Also you'll be able to avoid many visits altogether by sending your questions directly to us via email and text – something you won't get from a traditional practice. Feeling sick? We also provide medications (such as antibiotics, steroids, topicals, etc) for common acute ailments, so you can save a trip to the pharmacy.

More importantly, since you are getting all this amazing care from us, you can cut back on your insurance premiums. Many DPC patients find a high-deductible, low-premium insurance plan so they're covered in the case of a major health issue. But leave the rest of your healthcare to us.

Of course. Everyone benefits from a service tailored directly to them. That’s why we offer truly custom healthcare. We’re here for you if you're sick or hurt, but we also help you proactively maintain good overall health. Every visit with us will be thorough and relaxed, so we can adequately address your health concerns. The longer you're our patient, the more we learn about your health and lifestyle, and the better we can help you maintain that health.

The terms are sometimes mistakenly used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Both DPC and concierge practices charge a periodic fee, however, under the concierge model, this fee only gets you access. A concierge practice still bills insurance for your visits. Under DPC, your visits, communication, consults and other care with your doctor are included in your fee.

Here’s a few articles that profile the Direct Primary Care approach to medicine:

• FORBES: Direct Primary Care: Restoring The Doctor-Patient Relationship
• TIME Medicine is About to Get Personal
• US News Physicians Abandon Insurance for Blue Collar Model
• AARP The Doctor Will See You But Not Your Insurance
• American Academy of Family Physicians Direct Primary Care
• WRAL Patients Pay Monthly Fee, Not Insurance Co-Pay to See Raleigh Physician

See our prices on our pricing page. We charge a flat monthly fee, and in exchange you get unlimited office visits, wholesale prices on prescription medication, your doctor's cell phone number, and more.

The fee covers excellent primary care through office visits with no copay. This includes the following: annual wellness exams, sports physicals, school physicals, chronic care office visits, follow-up visits, basic office procedures and treatment of acute illness or minor injuries, all with minimal wait times in the office. The fee also covers direct communications with your doctor: phone, text, video chat or email.

We treat all kinds of common everyday problems like colds, flu, strep, rashes and injuries. We also treat more complicated long term medical problems like adult diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and thyroid disorder. We also provide preventive care and women's health, included in an annual physical exam.

For starters, having such unprecedented direct access to your doctor will prevent hospitalizations and specialty referrals in many cases. However when those types of care are required, we will work closely with any involved specialists and ensure expedited follow-up care when needed. Depending on the level of care and the sorts of expertise required, we may rely on those specialized caregivers to manage your treatment.

At this time, we are accepting patients 16 and older.

Yes. Better access to your physician is one of the greatest benefits of the direct primary care model. Because illness and injury do not respect regular office hours, you may call, text, or email your physician when needed.

Of course – this sort of care is "baked in" to the DPC model. You'll have direct access to your doctor, so you can reach out to us whenever you need, wherever you are. Many illnesses can be diagnosed and treated with a conversation.

We maintain high standards of patient privacy. We will never provide your health information to any third party unless you specifically ask that we do so.

We expect to have an open, honest, respectful relationship with you. If you have voiced a complaint that we cannot satisfy together, we will gladly allow you to terminate your membership.

Unfortunately, no. Your retainer is not yet defined as a "medical expense" and as such is not deductible. Please confer with your tax consultant to clarify tax consequences in your particular circumstances.

No, fortunately for both you and us. Perhaps the most critical distinction in our model of care centers on a direct, personal relationship between you and your doctor. That directness carries over to our business model as well. You might use your auto insurance to fix a smashed fender or other major damages. But you'd never use it to get an oil change (or pay for gas!). For some reason, health insurance is currently being used for the equivalent of oil changes for humans - routine physicals, office visits, simple blood tests, and minor procedures. This just doesn't make sense.

We forgo insurance payments in order to save our patients from the arbitrary, intrusive decisions that come with using insurance. Charging a direct monthly fee frees us from the typical contractual agreements that prevent non-DPC physicians from offering wholesale prices on laboratory tests, imaging, and medications.

Yes, we take care of any patient regardless of your insurance situation. Since we work completely outside of the insurance system, none of the billing for care here is eligible for insurance reimbursement. However, we recommend that everyone have insurance coverage, which is still important in the event of a major health issue.

Yes. We recommend our patients continue a major medical plan with a high-deductible and health savings account. If you experience a major health issue, you will still need insurance to help cover it. We’re happy to refer you to insurance representatives who can help customize an insurance plan to your specific needs.

Yes, your Medicare benefits will remain unchanged and can continue to be used for any laboratory testing, imaging, medications, or hospitalizations prescribed by your healthcare providers.

As the Affordable Care Act was being drawn up, several doctors worked very diligently to insert into the health reform bill a clause that allows for Direct Primary Care practices like ours to be a legal option under the health reform bill. Once the health exchanges open in October, many people will understand that a Direct Primary Care practice is an approved option.

In short, the best option for many patients will be an “exchange qualified” major medical type plan combined with a Direct Primary Care provider like our practice. This combination will save the maximum amount of money, while also allowing for a maximum amount of health care for patients.

You may want to check with your human resources department regarding the use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) as possible payment options for your membership.

Unfortunately, no. Your retainer is not yet defined as a "medical expense" in most states and as such is not deductible. Please confer with your tax consultant to clarify tax consequences in your particular circumstances.