Frequently Asked Questions
Anchor Direct Primary Care uses a membership model because we are convinced this is the best way to provide high quality medical care. A direct primary care practice is patient focused, not problem focused.
The traditional medical system, comprised of rushed visits and brief encounters, does not allow for the development of a productive or meaningful doctor-patient relationship. Time is required to get to know each patient and to fully understand their symptoms, context, fears, and concerns. This relationship is integral to provide exceptional patient care. Direct primary care provides for this required time between the patient and doctor.
We work for the patient, and only the patient.
The disruption of the doctor-patient relationship by insurance companies has ruined the practice of medicine. By removing this barrier to personalized care, we restore the control of your healthcare decisions to you – the patient. We work together to determine what is best for you.
Anchor DPC purposefully manages fewer patients compared to traditional medical practices. This allows for increased access to your doctor, more time with your doctor, and personalized care by your doctor – someone who understands you and your unique life situation.
The monthly costs cover unlimited office, phone, email, or virtual visits as well as annual wellness evaluation and personalized yearly wellness plan.
You do not use your homeowner’s insurance to pay for lawn maintenance or to make minor repairs. You do not use your automotive insurance to fill the gas tank, change oil, or replace the tires. Why would you use health insurance for a cold, to treat diabetes or high blood pressure? Health insurance should be there to cover unexpected or high ticket medical costs.
We will continually work to make the routine medical care more affordable creating more value for every patient. In this way, people can have better healthcare and do better financially.
We will continually work to make the routine medical care more affordable creating more value for every patient. In this way, people can have better healthcare and do better financially.
Our hours are:
- Monday-Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
You will always have the ability to reach us. You can call, email, or text us. We will answer and address the problem.
We will coordinate your referral to a specialist in your insurance network. They will bill your insurance.
Our program does not cover hospital care. This is why we suggest you look into at least a high deductible health plan (HDHP) for catastrophic coverage for health insurance. Should you require admission to the hospital, our physicians will be glad to coordinate that for you.
Yes!
We are more than happy to accept all patients.
The membership fee is not covered by Medicare/Medicaid, and you will need to sign a waiver stating that neither of us will be billing Medicare/Medicaid for the services.
Other services we order such as lab, radiology, prescriptions, specialist care, and hospitalization are able to be billed to these programs.
We are more than happy to accept all patients.
The membership fee is not covered by Medicare/Medicaid, and you will need to sign a waiver stating that neither of us will be billing Medicare/Medicaid for the services.
Other services we order such as lab, radiology, prescriptions, specialist care, and hospitalization are able to be billed to these programs.
No.
There are no pre-existing condition exclusions and there are no increases in the membership fee based upon prior health history. In fact, those with chronic medical conditions are perfect patients for Anchor Direct.
There are no pre-existing condition exclusions and there are no increases in the membership fee based upon prior health history. In fact, those with chronic medical conditions are perfect patients for Anchor Direct.
We all benefit from services tailored to our needs, and your health care should be no different. We provide you with the care you need to optimize your health and to reach your wellness goals.
We will be available to answer questions about small things enabling you to not take half a day off to address like you might at a traditional medical practice.
At some point you will be sick or injured and need acute care. When that happens, you will have immediate access to your doctor who knows your personal health history completely and will take your circumstances into account when developing a treatment plan.
We will do our best to keep you out of the emergency room. If we can save you one simple ER visit, the yearly fee (possibly up to 2-3 years) will pay for itself.
We will be available to answer questions about small things enabling you to not take half a day off to address like you might at a traditional medical practice.
At some point you will be sick or injured and need acute care. When that happens, you will have immediate access to your doctor who knows your personal health history completely and will take your circumstances into account when developing a treatment plan.
We will do our best to keep you out of the emergency room. If we can save you one simple ER visit, the yearly fee (possibly up to 2-3 years) will pay for itself.
Yes.
We accept all patients, regardless of insurance status.
We accept all patients, regardless of insurance status.
No.
We work directly for you, providing exceptional, personal, direct health care without the increasing constraints and limitations of the government and insurance companies.
We work directly for you, providing exceptional, personal, direct health care without the increasing constraints and limitations of the government and insurance companies.
This issue is currently being addressed at a Federal level by the Primary Care Enhancement Act to help clarify the interpretation of current laws regarding DPC membership fees. IRS regulations, however, make it pretty clear that DPC services are covered medical expenses reimbursable through HSAs and FSAs. In the meantime, you should consult with your health plan administrator or accountant for guidance on these issues.
Yes.
Direct Primary Care is NOT insurance. We encourage all of our members to find either an insurance plan or a health sharing plan to help cover the costs of catastrophic illness or injury. Hospital bills that come from an accident or from a serious disease are simply too big to cover on your own and the medical assistance that you will need to deal with these types of situations are more than Anchor Direct is built to provide.
Members of Anchor Direct routinely use their insurance or government program (Medicare or Medicaid) for medical procedures and specialist visits that happen outside of the Anchor direct Medical Center, as well as prescription medications and supplies.
While we will see a patient with any insurance or no insurance, there are two type of plans that work particularly well with Direct Primary Care. Many of our patients carry some traditional form of insurance with a high deductible. With these high deductible plans, patient's premium savings are often much more than the cost of membership and their insurance is there to cover the cost of large incidents.
Another option that is increasingly popular among individual Anchor Direct members are health-sharing plans. These types of plans are recognized under the Affordable Care Act and allow participants to avoid any penalties for non-insurance. They are more lightly regulated so it is essential that any plan be carefully considered. Generally, these health-sharing plans offer more financial support (have fairly low amounts before cost are shared) which they achieve by having significantly lower overhead and in many cases somewhat less comprehensive coverage.
Direct Primary Care is NOT insurance. We encourage all of our members to find either an insurance plan or a health sharing plan to help cover the costs of catastrophic illness or injury. Hospital bills that come from an accident or from a serious disease are simply too big to cover on your own and the medical assistance that you will need to deal with these types of situations are more than Anchor Direct is built to provide.
Members of Anchor Direct routinely use their insurance or government program (Medicare or Medicaid) for medical procedures and specialist visits that happen outside of the Anchor direct Medical Center, as well as prescription medications and supplies.
While we will see a patient with any insurance or no insurance, there are two type of plans that work particularly well with Direct Primary Care. Many of our patients carry some traditional form of insurance with a high deductible. With these high deductible plans, patient's premium savings are often much more than the cost of membership and their insurance is there to cover the cost of large incidents.
Another option that is increasingly popular among individual Anchor Direct members are health-sharing plans. These types of plans are recognized under the Affordable Care Act and allow participants to avoid any penalties for non-insurance. They are more lightly regulated so it is essential that any plan be carefully considered. Generally, these health-sharing plans offer more financial support (have fairly low amounts before cost are shared) which they achieve by having significantly lower overhead and in many cases somewhat less comprehensive coverage.
The terms Concierge medicine and Direct Primary Care are often used interchangeably. Both types of practices charge a monthly fee, but a Concierge practice will also bill health insurance companies for office visits and in office tests and procedures while a DPC practice does not. Generally the monthly fee that a Concierge practice charges is much higher than the monthly DPC fee.
With a DPC practice the doctor-patient relationship is just as the name suggests: Direct, without interference from insurance companies or Medicare. This is a very important ideological stance. We value you, the patient, as the most important member of your own healthcare team, without influence from insurance companies.
With a DPC practice the doctor-patient relationship is just as the name suggests: Direct, without interference from insurance companies or Medicare. This is a very important ideological stance. We value you, the patient, as the most important member of your own healthcare team, without influence from insurance companies.