Endless paperwork, long waits to talk to a human (let alone the doctor!) and prior authorizations that don’t make sense.
Plus, prices that don’t seem to follow the laws of logic, and a system so complicated we couldn’t begin to unravel it.
Ready for better?
We wanted out of a system that treats people like policy numbers, and sees doctors as coding specialists who happened to go to medical school.
We are breaking things down to what has always made sense in medicine: doctors and patients working directly together for the same purpose – wellness!
How it works
Step 1: Become a Member
Our no nonsense membership model allows us to make primary care affordable.
Step 2: Need us? Call us!
We’re here when you need us, with same- or next-day availability, and lots of options to chat outside office hours.
Step 3: Great care awaits!
Enjoy relaxed office visits and easy communication between visits.
Benefits
Easy communication. 24/7 access to your doctor for the price of membership. Visit, call, text or Skype with your doctor — and forget the co-pay!
Enjoy extended visits. Because we care for a few hundred — not a few thousand — patients.
Flexibility. Same or next-day availability when it matters
Healthcare that cares. Healthcare that is customized for your body and your life.
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.
Planned Services
Pediatric Primary Care
- Well-child care
- Acute/sick care – same/next day
- Immunization recommendations
- In-office lab tests
- Sports physicals
- Camp physicals
- After hours/weekend visit (by appt)
Adult Primary Care
- Comprehensive annual physical for men & women
- Chronic disease management
- Complex care coordination
- Acute/sick care – same/next day
- Immunization recommendations
- Pre-conception counseling & pregnancy confirmation
- Pap smears
- STD screening
- Fertility awareness & family planning counseling
- In-office procedures and lab tests
- After hours/weekend visit (by appt)
Ready to learn more?
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