Q:
How is the membership paid for?
A:
Patients may pay monthly by automated draft from their checking account, by debit or by credit card. If you choose to pay for the year in full, you receive a month free. Extra office fees may be charged to your credit or debit accounts, or you may pay cash or by check. There is a $30 fee for checks that do not clear.
Q:
What labs are covered in the membership?
A:
The following labs are covered in you membership once a year: complete blood count, metabolic panel, hemoglobin A1C, cholesterol, thyroid, prostate specific antigen (if applicable), pap smear (if applicable), and urine analysis. Other tests are available at lower rates than a traditional lab.
Q:
What does a yearly physical include?
A:
Yearly physicals for adults include health risk assessment, cholesterol, sugar, thyroid, kidney and liver blood tests, pap smears(as appropriate), prostate specific antigen (as appropriate), EKG (as appropriate), preventive health care counseling, and personalized health plan for the year.
Q:
How are labs that are not covered in the membership fee paid for?
A:
Other tests or procedures that are needed are charged separately but you will always know how much it will cost before you commit to them.
Labs tests and biopsies that are sent for pathology are beyond the basic free labs. They are charged at a discounted rate to
members.
Q:
What procedures do you do in the office?
A:
Skin lesion removal, laceration repair ("stitches"), abscess drainage, and toenail removal are at discounted prices compared to urgent care, ER, or specialist costs.
Q:
Do you do home visits?
A:
Dr. Lucas loves to do home visits for those patients who are not able to get out to the clinic because of their physical health. Home visits are done at an extra cost. It is $50 per visit if <10 miles from the clinic, $100 if 10-20 miles from the clinic.
Q:
Can I join if I have Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare Prime as my insurance?
A:
If you have Medicare, you may join, but you will be responsible for paying the membership fee. Tests done outside of the direct primary
care office can be charged through Medicare if they are covered services. Medicare members will need to sign a “Medicare Opt-Out” form that
shows they understand that Dr. Lucas does not participate with Medicare. Due to the restrictions Medicaid, Tricare Prime, and other HMO plans, Grace Direct Primary Care does not enroll members with these plans.
Q:
Do you accept insurance?
A:
No, we do not. The joy of direct primary care is that the burdens of insurance are taken off both the doctor and the patient. This allows the patient to have the undivided attention of his/her doctor, and the doctor does not have to spend time appeasing the insurance company.
Q:
Do I need insurance?
A:
No, you do not need insurance to participate in a direct primary care practice. However, patients are encouraged to carry some form of health care coverage to cover non-primary care costs (specialty care, hospitalizations, ER visits, etc.). Direct primary care works well for those with a high deductible plan or a health sharing plans.
Q:
Are there cheaper forms of health care coverage that work well with DPC?
A:
A high deductible plan works well with direct primary care. Many employers offer these insurance options. Healthcare sharing ministries are not health insurance but they do provide payment for the non-primary care health care coverage. The below link reviews the common health sharing plans which work very well with the direct primary care model. There are religious affiliated plans as well as non-religious based plans.
https://healthsharingreviews.com/reviews
Q:
Can the monthly fee be paid for with HSA or FSA dollars?
A:
Please discuss this with your accountant. The IRS has not been clear about the use of HSA/FSA dollars with direct primary care.
Q:
Can I have my membership fees reimbursed through my insurance company?
A:
One of the reasons physicians go into direct primary care is to get away from the paperwork associated with insurance companies. So,
Grace Direct Primary Care does not give paperwork to assist in membership fee reimbursement.
Q:
Can non-members be seen at the clinic?
A:
No, in order to keep availability of appointments for members, Dr. Lucas does not see non-members. Occasionally, she will see a member’s family
members for acute problems if there is availability but they are charged market rate, $90-120, plus fees for any tests done.
Q:
Are my records shared with anyone?
A:
Because we do not participate with insurance companies, your records are not sent to insurance companies. They would only be sent to the specialists or hospitals that are involved in your care, and that is only after you give us your permission.
Q:
Are you accepting new patients?
A:
We are currently accepting new patients. Dr. Lucas recommends that all patients come in for a “meet and greet” appointment which is free of charge. At this appointment, the patient and Dr. Lucas can get to know one another and make sure that Grace Direct Primary Care is the right fit for the patient. It also gives time for the patient to learn more about direct primary care. No health care will be given at that appointment.
Q:
What happens when the office is closed and I need care?
A:
Dr. Lucas strives to be available by phone or text when the clinic is closed, though she does not guarantee 24/7 access. When she is out of town, patients may need to go an urgent care or emergency department if she is not available.
Q:
What if I am out of town and need medical care?
A:
Many issues can be dealt with over the phone or through video. If your problem is something that can be handled “over the wire,” a treatment can be sent to a pharmacy near you. If it seems that it is best for you to be evaluated personally, Dr. Lucas will advise you to go to the nearest urgent care or emergency department.
Q:
Do you treat chronic pain?
A:
Dr. Lucas does not prescribe long term narcotics or other controlled substances. Due to the rise of opioid addiction and more government oversight, it is becoming more difficult to safely care for patients on these types of medicines. They are best cared for at a chronic pain clinic or psychiatric office.
Q:
Do you see patients who are in the nursing home?
A:
Dr. Lucas does not go to nursing homes to see patients, but she is happy to have them be seen in the clinic for their care.
Q:
What happens if I am admitted to the hospital?
A:
Research shows that patients who are in a direct primary care office are admitted to the hospital less often than those in traditional practices. However, if it is necessary for you to be admitted to a hospital, your records will be sent to the admitting physician, so he/she is aware of your unique needs. At the time of discharge, we will arrange for the best follow up possible so that you will be able to continue your healing process outside of the hospital.
Q:
What medical problems do you treat?
A:
From the run of the mill common cold and rashes to infections and stitches, Grace Direct Primary Care can handle most non-emergency conditions. You can always call us first to find out whether your concern is something that can be cared for by Dr. Lucas and her team, or whether you need to go to the emergency room.
For long term health problems, Dr. Lucas provides quality care for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid issues, asthma, COPD, stomach issues, women’s and men’s health, depression, and anxiety. She also does skin allergy testing and Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT). She does not provide long term treatment with narcotic medicine or other controlled substances. If you want to know whether your conditions can be followed at Grace Direct Primary Care, feel free to contact us.