Question 1

Does DPC Align With the Affordable Care Act?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is yes, Direct Patient Care is legal as long as it is paired with non-primary care insurance.  Phoenix Direct Care encourages its members to have catastrophic coverage, also known as a high deductible health plan, for when those unforeseen events happen.  There is legistlation that effects how you can or cannot pay for DPC fees.  Current proposed legislation, if passed, would allow funds from a Health Savings Account to pay for membership.  With an executive order, the current administration has given way for those unable to afford costly insurance but would benefit from a membership in Phoenix Direct Care.

Question 2

What services are not provided at Phoenix Direct Care?

Accepted Answer

Phoenix Direct Care provides Primary Care only.  Emergency services, specialty services and imaging are outside of our scope of practice.  Speciality services include but are not limited to Obstetrics, Cardiology, Orthopedics, Oncology, Surgical Services, etc.  Imaging services would include X-Rays, CT Scans, MRI's, mamograms, etc.  Phoenix Direct Care will take the lead in coordination of these services as our patients need them.  Our value of the patient-provider relationship drives us to be as all encompassing with your health care needs as we can.

Question 3

Do I need insurance?

Accepted Answer

Phoenix Direct Care is not insurance and does not utilize insurance to pay for services.  We recommended that you have a health insurance plan to cover those situations for which insurance was intended: emergencies and hospitalizations; additionally, for your healthcare needs outside of what is offered at PDC, such as specialist care and higher-cost testing; and to meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act and Maine Healthcare laws.  We will not bill your insurance for covered services, nor provide bills for submission to your insurance company.  Part of my job as your primary care provider is to make sure we utilize outside services wisely and only when necessary.

Question 4

Are there any additional costs for services?

Accepted Answer

Your monthly fee covers all in-house primary care services.  Additional costs at Phoenix Direct Care will be for prescription medications or laboratory testing that we offer our members at a discount rate.

Question 5

When Will This Insurance Bubble Burst?

Accepted Answer

One has to ask how much longer will individuals and business sustain 5%, 10% and even 15% annual increases to their premiums.  Many families have one member solely working to pay for these costly premiums.  It's time to work smarter and not harder.  Phoenix Direct Care and the DPC model can save you money and put you back in the drivers seat when it comes to your health care.  Not only does it save you money, DPC creates an atmosphere that re-establishes the patient-provider relationship allowing for more meaningful and personal care.

Question 6

Too Good to be true?

Accepted Answer

Not so, the Direct Patient Care model goes back to how family health care used to be.  Before the insurance companies dominated our wallets, a doctors visit was much easier, we got in, received professional care, and paid for the office visit on the way out.  Our insurance was used for catastrophic events.  Unfortunately, we now use our insurance as our pocketbook.  Just think, if our car insurance was used like our health insurance, the local service station would be submitting claims for gas, oil changes, and new wiper blades. Direct Primary Care takes out the third party middle man which is the reason such a low cost can be offered.