These days, insurance companies can dictate how much time your doctor can spend with you, and which treatments you can receive.
We’ve set out to fix that.
Direct primary care is an innovative model that allows us to truly focus on you and your family. We think good medicine is made great with more time, better communication, and building relationships with our patients.
1. We are healthcare with dignity, founded on the understanding that all persons have inherent value and immeasurable worth.
2. By breaking out of the insurance-based model, we have more time to get to know our patients and investigate their concerns.
3. We offer care for adults and children of all ages, with specialized care for women throughout their entire reproductive lifespan – all under one roof!
- We’re cutting out the inflated expense and inefficiency of insurance, saving our patients money
- We’re getting rid of the rushed, seven minute average office visit
- We’re eliminating unnecessary red tape, and senseless prior authorizations
- We’re tossing out a system too complicated to unravel, along with its prices that don’t follow the laws of logic
- Dollars spent smarter is our mantra, and the reason why we can make healthcare make sense again
We are breaking down the barriers that make it difficult for patients and doctors to reach each other.
Imagine having the time to talk with your doctor in a relaxed office setting, being able to schedule an appointment when you need it, and getting started on time. Imagine being able to call, text, email or video chat with the question you forgot to ask your doctor. Imagine healthcare with dignity, and communication as easy as it should be.
Relaxed visits: because we care for a few hundred patients (not a few thousand!)
Personal healthcare: your own doctor for your unique needs
Easy access: talk to your doctor by secure patient portal, phone, text or video chat – and forget the co-pay!
Flexibility: Same or next-day availability when it matters most.
Ready for better? Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Enroll to become a member.
Step 2: Access care in the office and via text, email, phone or video-chat.
Step 3: Need us? Call us! No need to wait until you’re sick to to get started. We’re here for you!
Our approach investigates and treats underlying causes affecting a woman’s health or fertility, and seeks to restore function.
We offer a thoughtful approach for evaluating women’s health problems when they go beyond the realm of primary care. Our goal is to investigate and correct underlying causes, rather than just treating symptoms. This restorative approach is called NaProTechnology (Natural Procreative Technology), often abbreviated as ‘NaPro’. NaPro is an individualized and detailed approach to evaluating and treating a myriad of health problems that women commonly encounter, such as:
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Irregular or heavy cycles
- Ovarian cysts
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Hormonal abnormalities
- Menstrual cramps
- Postpartum depression
How does it work?
If you’re expecting to be immediately poked and prodded, you may be relieved to find out that the first step is actually yours, and involves no special tools beyond pencil and paper.
To briefly summarize an awe-inspiring truth of the female body: a woman’s body produces a few simple signs each day that reveal information about her underlying health and hormonal status. By working with a trained instructor, women first learn how to chart these signs daily. Once the habit is formed, it takes only a few minutes – no longer than brushing your teeth!
After learning to chart, patients bring this information to our office for a medical evaluation. This model of charting, called the Creighton Model, gives NaPro-trained doctors an incredible diagnostic tool with which to begin an individual investigation into underlying concerns and problems affecting the cycle.
Though we do not currently offer instruction in charting, we are happy to connect you with a qualified local practitioner, and can’t wait to see you here with chart in hand. If you would like to find out whether you’re a good candidate for Creighton or NaPro, make an appointment and come on in to meet with us!
Fees and Services
One-time enrollment fee of $100 per household
Primary Care for Children
Ages 0-19- $55 per month without parent enrollment
- Well-child visits*
- Sick/acute care visits
- Same or next-day appointments
- Communicate with your doctor for urgent concerns, even after hours
- Chronic illness management and care coordination
- School/sports physicals
- In-office labs (strep, flu) with no added fee
- *We do not offer routine immunizations but are happy to arrange these for you!
Adult Primary Care
Ages 20+- Wellness and preventative care
- Sick/acute care visits
- Same or next-day appointments
- Chronic disease management
- Communication with your doctor for urgent medical concerns, even after hours
- Specialist care coordination and hospital discharge follow-up
- Access to discounted labs
- In-office labs (urinalysis, blood glucose, strep) with no added fee
- Office procedures (lacerations, splinting, minor surgery) for additional fee
Advanced Women's Care
NaProTechnology- Comprehensive evaluation of infertility, miscarriage, and hormone imbalance
- Gynecologic evaluation for PCOS, PMS and other cycle-specific concerns
- Individual diagnostic and cycle-specific treatment plans
- Preconception counseling and education
- First trimester prenatal care
- Progesterone monitoring during pregnancy
- Communicate with your doctor for time-sensitive results and instructions
- Access to discounted labs
- Limited ultrasound for additional fee
FAQ's
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is based on a rebellious idea that primary care is delivered better — and more affordably — when not tied to insurance reimbursement. Surprised? Think about all of the staff involved when a claim is filed through insurance: a receptionist, nurse, doctor, office manager, billing/coding specialist, claims specialist, policy reviewer, and the list goes on. In a system built around inefficiency, and when so many are involved in processing a claim, it’s not hard to imagine why even a basic 20 minute office visit ends up costing well over $150.
Filing insurance claims this way creates costly overhead, and doctors are left seeing more patients with less time to keep up with changing codes and diminishing reimbursements. We think there’s a better way — without having to compromise care.
DPC restores common sense and puts the patient-doctor team in charge of healthcare decisions fundamental to primary care. By eliminating the inflated cost, bureaucracy, and gnashing of teeth that comes with filing insurance, doctors can charge a reasonable fee without the mark-up, see fewer patients, and spend more time with each of them. A simple but revolutionary idea, DPC allows doctors to invest time in meaningful care of their patients, not paperwork.
See what others are saying:
- “DPC is not just for the elite, the rich or the 1%. In fact, it can be quite reasonable for working families [when] combined with a much less expensive high deductible health insurance policy, the savings for patients are substantial and the total costs of all care decline quite dramatically.” Medical Economics
- “Call it concierge medicine for the masses. The idea is that routine, mundane primary care should not require expensive insurance and can be cheaper without it.” New York Times
- “There is a lot to learn from organizations demonstrating the Triple Aim (lower costs, improved outcomes, better consumer experience). I’ve yet to see any model that more consistently delivers on the Triple Aim than DPC.” Forbes
Is DPC insurance? Do I still need insurance?
DPC is not insurance and does not replace the need for insurance. We recommend having a basic or high-deductible insurance plan for healthcare expenses that are more likely to overwhelm a budget, like hospitalizations, surgery, specialist care or invasive procedures. Insurance, by design, was meant to cover these higher-cost items.
Primary care, by comparison, is much more affordable through a DPC model, where patients access the care they need, as often as they need, for a predicable monthly fee that is affordable for most.
For the same reason we reserve our car insurance only for accidents instead of oil changes (thereby keeping costs reasonable), we see the sense in purchasing health insurance for typical high-cost expenses, and paying directly for routine care.
What type of insurance pairs well with DPC?
There are options. Almost 1/4 of Americans have high-deductible health plans that work well when coupled with a DPC membership. Many prefer healthcare sharing ministries, such as Samaritan or Medishare, which are approved under the Affordable Care Act as a health insurance alternative that meets the insurance requirement. One such program, Liberty Direct, even pays for a portion of DPC membership fees.
Employers have even greater flexibility in tailoring health insurance plans to complement a DPC membership, often at a significant saving for small businesses.
Finally, even those with “good insurance” will benefit from the expanded access and quality of care found in DPC membership.
Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flex-Spending Account (FSA) for my membership?
The IRS code that defines “qualified expenses” does not specifically permit use of HSA or FSA funds for DPC membership fees. Patients who wish to utilize HSA or FSA funds to pay for membership should consult with their benefits representative or accountant. The Primary Care Enhancement Act (Senate Bill 1989 (Primary Care Enhancement Act) has been introduced to make DPC services qualified health expenses under the federal tax code.
Do you accept patients with private insurance, no insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid?
We care for patients with or without insurance, and never bill insurance or collect co-pays for our services. Medicare, however, has restrictive rules that do not allow Dignitas Health to offer direct care for patients with Medicare at this time. We are happy to place your name on our waiting list so that when we are able to opt-out of Medicare and its accompanying restrictions, we can happily accept you as a patient.
I have an HMO plan. Can I still be a member?
Yes, but our practice will not be considered a participating provider and HMOs often require referrals and testing to be submitted by an in-network provider. If possible, we recommend patients choose a PPO plan.
Is my doctor really on call 24/7?
We are committed to being available for our patients. Patients are able to contact Dr. Zackrisson after business hours for urgent matters that cannot wait until the next business day. Dr. Zackrisson asks that patients understand that their doctor is a also a real person who strives to lead by example with an appropriate work-life balance. In the event of a true medical emergency, please call 911 or proceed to the emergency room and contact us once the condition has stabilized.
In the event of a scheduled office closure for educational conferences or vacation, appropriate arrangements will be made for phone calls to be answered by a qualified alternate healthcare provider. In the event of an unscheduled absence, we will make reasonable attempts to provide alternative coverage.
What if I need to see a specialist or am admitted to a hospital?
When your medical needs extend beyond the scope of our practice, we work with you to arrange appropriate specialist referral. We will provide your specialist or hospitalist with relevant information from your medical records as needed to insure optimal care. We will then work closely with you and/or your specialist, or after hospital discharge, to coordinate ongoing care. Specialist and hospital care, like other non-primary care related services, can be appropriately filed with your insurance.
Do I sign a contract when I enroll? What if I change my mind?
Developing lasting relationships with our patients is fundamental to the way we provide excellent care. If your membership needs change or you wish to cancel for any reason, you may do so with 30 days’ written notice at any time. You may be asked to join a waiting list or pay a re-enrollment fee if you wish to rejoin at a later date.
About Us
Dr. Jill Zackrisson is the founder and inspiration behind Dignitas Health. She grew up in Charlottesville, VA, and attended The College of William & Mary for undergraduate studies in Biology. She received her medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, and went on to complete residency training in Family Medicine at Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, earning an area of concentration in Obstetrics. After graduating from residency, she completed a fellowship program in Obstetrics in Asheville, North Carolina. She pursued additional training in NaProTechnology (Natural Procreative Technology), offering her patients a more restorative and individualized approach to women’s health and fertility. She served on the faculty of Virginia Commonwealth University St. Francis Family Medicine Residency program in Richmond, and practiced full-spectrum women’s health, Obstetrics and NaProTechnology prior to founding and opening Dignitas Health in 2016.
She enjoys caring for families and patients of all ages, and looks forward to developing meaningful relationships with her patients over years to come. When not in the office, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and chasing around her young son. Dr. Zackrisson is Board Certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, and a Certified FertilityCare Medical Consultant in NaProTechnology.
Why did we decide to break the mold to start a direct primary care practice?
To us, work feels more like a calling. We take inspiration from wise ones who once said:
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire!”
– St. Catherine of Siena
“The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
– Frederick Buechner
“The glory of God is man fully alive.”
– St. Irenaeus
Mission
Dignitas Health recognizes the image of Jesus Christ in every person. Our dedicated team of NaProTechnology professionals provides compassionate and affordable healthcare that respects the sanctity of life, the dignity of women, and the sacredness of human sexuality.
Vision
By affirming the dignity of the human person, and restoring the integrity of the patient-physician relationship, Dignitas Health will become a comprehensive and sustainable healthcare center offering unparalleled Primary Care and NaProTechnology services in our region.
Values
Dignity – We take our name from the principle that all persons have inherent value and immeasurable worth by the sake of being part of the human family. Dignity is not earned, nor is it justified by our abilities. When applied inwardly, this principle elevates and enlightens us. When applied outwardly, it informs the work we do and how we relate to those around us, particularly the most vulnerable members of our community.
Respect for Life – We believe God, the author of life, instilled the divine image in the fabric of each and every person, and strive to honor this identity in the way we care for all of our patients, regardless of background.
Compassion – We understand that compassionate healthcare embraces the psychological, spiritual, and social dimensions, as well as the physical. No less true in women’s health, and particularly when encountering infertility, our NaProTechnology approach aims to heal by restoring function, and cooperating with a woman’s cycle in a way that respects her body, acknowledges the complexity of her design, and affirms her relationships.
Relationship – The Patient-Physician Relationship depends on trust, honesty, and mutual respect. We work to develop an ongoing relationship to deliver care that is both personal and meaningful. Our model of care empowers us to work directly for our patients, rather than for insurance programs, so that we are free to practice according to —and exclusively for— the best interests of our patients. We believe that reducing the barriers between patients and their physicians means a better care experience for everyone.
Charity – We exist to promote a culture of life, empower women through fertility appreciation and education, and meet the healthcare needs of our neighbors, regardless of financial status or background. In keeping with a long tradition of Catholic healthcare in service of the suffering, we seek to provide accessible and affordable healthcare for families, and to treat every person with the respect and love they deserve.

2004 Bremo Road Suite 100, Richmond, Virginia 23226
Located on the lower level of the Richmond Medical Park 1/2 mile north of St. Mary’s Hospital
Office Hours: Mon-Thur 8:00am-5:00pm. Friday – by appointment only
office: 804.442.7794
fax: 804.767.2030