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Are you accepting new patients?We are currently on a Waiting List, but are taking on new patients as quickly as we are able. Please fill out your information here and we will contact you when an opening becomes available. We would be happy to partner with you in providing personalized health care. We also offer a complimentary 15 minute call with Kelly Botta, PA-C to ensure your questions are answered and that we will be a good fit for you. Let's connect! Send us a message, or give us call.
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Is Direct Primary Care health insurance?No. Direct Primary Care is an agreement directly between you and your healthcare provider, via a month-to-month membership, giving you as many visits as you need and direct access to your primary care provider. It's like Netflix, but for healthcare.
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Direct Primary Care - isn't it the same as Concierge medicine?Nope. While Direct Primary Care offers the same personalized and attentive care from your medical provider, the difference is in the payment model. Concierge medicine bills your insurance and then charges an additional fee, often called a retainer fee, for this higher level of care. Direct Primary Care practices do not receive payment from any insurers and instead are reimbursed through low cost, monthly memberships that provide our patients with uncapped monthly visits and concierge style care. We are a Direct Primary Care practice - keeping billing simple for everyone.
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How much are copays?$0. We never charge copays. By not participating with insurance we can keep things simple. The cost of your membership covers all of your monthly visits.
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Can a physician assistant really take care of me?Yes! Our providers are licensed and board certified in order to provide you excellent care within their fields. For physician assistants, the "C" in PA-C represents certification. All physician assistants across the country provide care in collaboration with a physician.
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Do I need health insurance to be seen?No. We take care of you whether you have insurance or not! Although, we do recommend you have a "just in case" health insurance policy in the event you have a car accident, heart attack, or cancer. Many of our patients find our membership pairs well with a high deductible health plan, a health sharing plan, or other catastrophic coverage options. We can connect you with a local insurance broker to discuss options.
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Will you bill my health insurance?We want to keep you as the primary person we work for and serve, so we do not bill insurance. As the old saying goes, "He who has the gold, makes the rules." In this model of healthcare you have the gold, not the insurance company. We know it's hard to believe, but by not using your insurance, essentially eliminating the middleman, it typically saves you money!
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Does direct primary care work with my HSA/FSA?Anything we order such as: lab work, imaging or medications, can be paid for with your HSA/FSA, cash, or your insurance. Choose whichever makes the most financial sense for you. We have many patients that also use their HSA/FSA for the membership; however, please contact your HSA/FSA vendor or accountant for any questions on allowable reimbursements.
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Why don't you work for a major health system?We appreciate the hospitals and health systems and the services they provide for our patients; however, they are paid when patients are sick and our goal is to keep patients healthy. We are incentivized, by our relationship with you, to provide you excellent, responsive medical care that keeps you healthy.
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Can you take care of me while I'm in the hospital?If you have to go to the emergency department, we will call ahead and speak to the team to discuss your symptoms and provide any necessary records. If you have to be admitted to the hospital, your medical care will be directed by the medical professionals at the hospital, called hospitalists. We will coordinate with your hospitalist to ensure a smooth transition of care when you leave the hospital. The days of healthcare providers seeing patients both at the office and in the hospital are coming to a close as our medical training is now more specialized for each of these settings. At Smartypants Medicine we are trained in prevention and medical care to keep you healthy and out of the hospital. No matter where you are in your healthcare journey, we can help you ask better questions so you can make better decisions.
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Does this mean I pay twice for my healthcare?Good question. Interestingly, it's likely you are already "paying twice"- your insurance monthly premium plus your out of pocket costs (what you pay before your insurance kicks-in, like co-pays and co-insurance). If you are like most patients in the US and don't meet your deductible, you could likely save more by switching to a more affordable, less comprehensive insurance plan (think bronze tier, not gold) paired with a DPC membership that provides improved primary care for preventative, routine sick, and chronic care. So, all of this this means that for less than the cost of the average cell phone bill you could have first class healthcare, with unrestricted access to your medical provider, improved satisfaction, and actually enjoy your healthcare again.
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Is there a long term contract?No. The contract is month to month. You can cancel at any time and there is no cancellation fee. There is no refund for fees already paid. If you want to re-register within the same 12 month period that you cancelled, the re-registration fee changes to $200.
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Direct Primary Care sounds too good to be true, is it really legal?Absolutely! DPC is gaining tremendous momentum and every year more and more patients and providers are choosing Direct Primary Care. Virginia state law now includes provisions for Direct Primary Care and early studies are showing that the DPC model improves patient satisfaction, lowers patient costs, and improves health outcomes. You can learn more about the DPC policy movement here. Send us a message if you're interested in joining the 250,000 patients already enjoying Direct Primary Care.
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I have Medicare, can I become a member?Yes! We take care of all ages 18yo and up. You will simply need to fill out a waiver, required by Medicare, stating neither you or we will directly bill Medicare for the services we provide. Medicare will still cover any laboratory testing, imaging, referrals, medications, and durable medical equipment prescribed by our practice.
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How do I take the next step?To be added to the Waiting List to become a patient, click here. If you'd prefer, give us a call. We want to connect with you, answer your questions, and make sure SMARTYPANTS MEDICINE is a good fit for you.
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Where can I learn more about Direct Primary Care?DPC has been featured in the following publications. Click on the logo or video to link to the source.
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