Question 1

What is Direct Primary Care?

Accepted Answer

Direct Primary Care is a nation-wide movement of Primary Care doctors who have disembarked from the insurance companies and their assembly-line model of medicine in favor of re-establishing the patient-doctor relationship. It is a form of concierge medicine that is designed to be affordable for the masses. We operate on a monthly membership fee, much like a gym, which allows patients to receive unlimited office visits and what we call technology visits (email, cell phone/text messages, Skype, FaceTime, etc.).
 
Because DPC practices do not participate in any insurance or plans, the providers are able to avoid the ever-increasing and costly documentation demands and administrative intrusions that come with accepting insurance.  DPC practices also avoid the onerous patient data collection responsibilities which many plans impose. These require staff, time, and money, often amounting to substantial intrusions on patient privacy.
 
Because DPC physicians avoid these obligations to insurance companies, they are free to spend that time listening to and treating patients. And because DPC physicians eliminate the significant overhead costs of participating in insurance, they can pass the savings on to you, the patient – and give compassionate, attentive and timely care at an affordable cost.

Question 2

Is Direct Primary Care a better option?

Accepted Answer

Many patients today and in the near future will end up having high deductible plans, where the insurance won’t cover the first $2,000-$5,000 that they spend anyway, but with our membership model, they can maximize the amount of healthcare they get and minimize their cost. In the new model of care, we work with our patients directly through a monthly membership so they get unlimited office visits and what we call technology visits. They also don’t have co-pays for anything in our office. Most of the procedures we can do in our office like: EKG, PFT’s, biopsies, cryosurgery, joint injections, etc., are included free of charge.
 
In addition, we are able to dispense many of the most common generic medications directly out of the office at wholesale pricing. We can also get labs and radiology at wholesale pricing as well, which will be a substantial savings for the patient. So in the long run, we actually end up saving our patients more than the membership costs.

Question 3

Will I still benefit from a Direct Primary Care practice even if I don’t require frequent medical attention?

Accepted Answer

We love that question and we hear it often! Everyone benefits from medical care personalized directly for them. Our practice is committed to preventative health maintenance which is a long-term investment in you! Physicals, i.e., preventative health visits, are not just routine; they are opportunities for early disease detection, much like a state inspection for your car.
 
Every visit, regardless of the reason, will give us the opportunity to get to know you better and to build a long-standing relationship over time. As a result, individual care plans can be developed that are tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Traditional medical practices, which are insurance-driven, find it difficult to forge this relationship effectively like we are fortunate to do.

Question 4

How will I know if CompassDirect Healthcare will be the right fit for me?

Accepted Answer

Since you are on our website, you are on the right track already! If you like what you have read so far, we invite you to call us so that we can personally answer your questions. Also, please check out our Blog on this website. There are a lot of great topics that may interest you and help aid you in your decision making.

Question 5

What are your prices?

Accepted Answer

Please find a complete list of our prices on this website under "Pricing".

Question 6

Can you help with the cost of prescriptions? What about labs?

Accepted Answer

Because we are an insurance free practice, we have a unique situation where we can directly purchase medications at wholesale cost from the manufacturer. We will pass these savings directly on to you. In addition, we have a contract with a lab to purchase lab testing at wholesale prices with these savings passed directly on to you. 
 
We complete x-rays on site and provide them to you at a minimal cost, just enough to cover the fee charged to us by the radiologist interpreting your x-rays.

Finally, we have a direct relationship for advanced imaging studies, such as CT’s, and MRI’s, all at a substantial discount. Much like a membership at Costco, membership in our practice gets you these cost-saving discounts on medications, lab tests, and imaging studies.

Question 7

What happens if I need to go to the hospital or see a specialist?

Accepted Answer

Our patients, if hospitalized, are seen by the hospitalist. Our commitment is to help you avoid being hospitalized by early detection of disease and/or subtle signs that an existing disease state is worsening. Having a non-pressured doctor who is always available to assist in your health care is key to helping to reduce hospital stays.
 
Your providers at CompassDirect Healthcare have specialist advice at their fingertips to save you time and money. If you require a consultant for face-to-face specialty medical care, our providers will work closely with that specialist. Because we are not affiliated with any other healthcare systems in the area, the choice is made together with you.

Question 8

Are my medical records ever shared with insurance carriers, pharmaceutical companies, or government agencies?"

Accepted Answer

Absolutely not!  Patient privacy is a natural benefit of this medical model. We will never provide any third party with a copy of your records, unless you specifically ask us to do so or if CompassDirect Healthcare is subject to subpoena or search warrant.

Question 9

What if I need medical attention when I'm away from home?

Accepted Answer

Contact us! We can determine the most effective means of communication to determine the best approach to handle your specific situation. Again, we can connect via email, cell phone, text message, Skype, FaceTime, etc. We’ll help you find the nearest pharmacy and prescribe the medications you need.
 
In addition, as a patient of CompassDirect Healthcare, you may consult with other direct primary care providers across the country who participate in the National Care Network for Direct Primary Care and may see you for a one-time visit fee.

Question 10

May I contact CompassDirect Healthcare after hours? How?

Accepted Answer

Yes of course you can! We understand that acute illness and injury do not always occur during office hours. As a member of CompassDirect Healthcare, you should never need to go to a local urgent care. You may contact us until 10pm during the week and between 6:30am and 10:00pm on holidays and weekends. It is our expectation that just as we respect your time that you respect ours and only call your provider after hours if it is indeed absolutely necessary. For emergencies in the middle of the night we ask that you seek emergency care, or for any life threatening emergencies please call 911.

Question 11

When do I pay my fees for labs and procedures not included in my membership?

Accepted Answer

Charges will be added to your next automatic monthly fee via your preferred method of payment. If you prefer to have your insurance billed for labs not included in your membership just let us know.

Question 12

Do you make house calls?

Accepted Answer

We do make a limited number of house calls for those who are acutely ill and unable to come to the office. We may provide care for totally home bound or nursing home patients on a case by case basis.  Feel free to inquire more about this.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Membership Questions

What services are included with my membership fee?

Does CompassDirect provide obstetric and gynecology services?

Is my membership fee at CompassDirect Healthcare Tax Deductible?

Does CompassDirect Healthcare see patients of all ages?

How do I join if a provider's practice is full?

What if I decide to cancel?

General Questions

What is Direct Primary Care?

Is Direct Primary Care a better option?

Will I still benefit from a Direct Primary Care practice even if I don’t require frequent medical attention?

How will I know if CompassDirect Healthcare will be the right fit for me?

What are your prices?

Can you help with the cost of prescriptions? What about labs?

What happens if I need to go to the hospital or see a specialist?

Are my medical records ever shared with insurance carriers, pharmaceutical companies, or government agencies?"

What if I need medical attention when I'm away from home?

May I contact CompassDirect Healthcare after hours? How?

When do I pay my fees for labs and procedures not included in my membership?

Do you make house calls?

Medicare & Insurance Questions

Does CompassDirect Healthcare Accept Insurance?

As a patient of CompassDirect Healthcare do I still need insurance?

What if I want to continue my current insurance? Can I use it?

If I have Medicare, can I join as a patient?"

How can I save on insurance costs by being a patient of CompassDirect Healthcare?

Are CompassDirect Healthcare’s monthly fees eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement?

Can you tell me more about Healthcare Sharing Ministries?

If we haven’t fully answered all of your questions, please contact us so we can further assist you.