Why would I pay a monthly fee if I already have health insurance?

At traditional primary care offices, you will often have a co-pay and may even have an office visit charge just to see your doctor. These charges occur on top of the insurance premium you are already paying each month, and that doesn’t even include blood work, additional testing, or procedures completed during the visit.

What age groups do you see?

Dr. Cameron is both an Internal Medicine doctor AND a Pediatrician. As an Internist, she specializes in caring for adults. As a pediatrician, of course, she specializes in caring for children. She has had extensive training in the management of newborns, children, adolescents, and adults with acute illnesses, chronic disease, and more complex, multisystem processes affecting hospitalized patients. Dr. Cameron is therefore able to provide care for patients from newborns to elderly adults and everywhere in between.

Would I benefit from DPC if I’m healthy and hardly ever go to the doctor?

At some point, you may be sick or injured and need acute medical care. Other times, you may have a medical question but don’t have anyone to ask. When situations like these arise, you will have immediate access to your personal doctor who knows your complete medical history and can take your specific situation into account when developing a treatment plan. A DPC membership allows access to your physician for acute complaints, aiming to prevent costly, and sometimes unnecessary, trips to the ER or Urgent Care.

Are your services covered by my insurance?

No. The DPC model allows the physician to work directly with the patient. No middleman making all the rules. No insurance company to impose arbitrary and tedious measures aimed at increasing their profits.

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

Not for our services. You can use your insurance for lab tests, imaging, referrals to a specialists, and for medications. We do not do any billing of insurance, and insurance does not play a role in paying your membership fee.

What if I don’t want to become a member? Can I still be seen?

Unfortunately, no. Our one-time fee would be comparable to a 4-6 month membership. It would therefore be more cost-effective to go ahead and sign up as a new member and receive at least 4-6 months of medical care.

Do you offer care outside of normal business hours?

Non-urgent matters will primarily be addressed during normal business hours, however if you have an emergent situation arise overnight or on a weekend and are trying to decide whether to go to the ER, Dr. Cameron can help you navigate your decision. Dr. Cameron will do her best to keep you out of the ER or Urgent Care.

What discounted services do you offer?

Members will have access to significantly discounted lab tests and imaging and may be able to purchase some medications at wholesale pricing.

Do you take private insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare?

We do not. It seems like any time you go to the doctor these days, instead of “hi, how are you?” the first question you are asked is “what insurance do you have?” We forgo insurance reimbursements in order to save our patients from the arbitrary, intrusive decisions that come along with using insurance. By instead charging a direct monthly fee, we are free from the typical contractual agreements that prevent non-DPC medical providers from offering wholesale prices on laboratory tests, imaging, and medications.

If I pay for a monthly membership, do I still need insurance?

We do NOT bill insurance, and insurance is not required for membership. We advise patients to obtain at least a catastrophic plan to cover unanticipated and very costly medical services such as surgery or a hospitalization. High deductible commercial insurance plans or health-sharing plans pair nicely with our Direct Primary Care model.

What if I am in need of medical attention while I am away from home?

Many conditions can be diagnosed and treated via a simple conversation by phone or video conference. If indicated, we can even prescribe you medication. If you need to go to the hospital or seek other medical care while you are out of town, we can advise you on that as well.

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

Many patients find that their DPC fees are reimbursable through their HSA or FSA. Consult your tax advisor for guidance on your particular circumstances.

Do I really get to speak to my doctor if I call?

Yes. During business hours, you may book an appointment through our website to discuss any issue or concern you may have. Text messages will be responded to during business hours as well. Texting directly with Dr. Cameron is only available for members and ONLY during business hours.

What if the doctor is out of town and I need to speak to her?

If Dr. Cameron is on vacation, she will continue to provide and coordinate your care. When possible, she will arrange for another physician to see you if needed.

Does Dr. Cameron offer in-person emergency services outside of normal business hours?

As a standard part of her practice, Dr. Cameron does not routinely offer such services. What she will do is help you decide whether an emergency room visit is necessary or whether she may be able to provide you with care as early as possible on the next business day. If you can avoid a trip to the ER even one time, your yearly DPC membership fee will pay for itself.

Will my medical records be shared with insurance carriers or government agencies?

No. Your patient privacy is very important to us, and being able to protect it is one of the natural benefits of our medical model. Unless you have specifically requested it or KCDPC is subject to a subpoena or search warrant, we will never share your medical records with a third party.

If I’m an employer, how would a DPC model benefit my employees?

Competing for employees as a small business owner is tough in today’s market. An attractive benefits package is important and can help distinguish you from the rest. Adding direct primary care as a healthcare benefits option provides affordable and accessible care with continuity for both the employee and their whole family. By addressing the health of your employees from a preventative standpoint, we can help keep your employees healthier overall, decrease their need for medications and hospitalizations, and aim for less time away from work.