Frequently asked questions
Yes! To become a patient with us, click here.
We also offer a complimentary 15 minute call to ensure your questions are answered before signing up. We want the practice to be a good fit for you!
Not exactly. While Direct Primary Care offers the same personalized and attentive care from your medical provider, the difference is in the payment model. Concierge medicine usually 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 concierge level care. We are a Direct Primary Care practice - keeping billing simple for everyone.
No. We take care of you whether you have insurance or not!
We do recommend you have health insurance to cover services not included in your membership including hospital, emergency, and specialty care. 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 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 it typically saves you money!
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 use their HSA/FSA for the membership; however, we recommend you contact your employment benefit manager or accountant for any questions on allowable reimbursements.
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.
No. 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.
At Smartypants Medicine we are trained in prevention and medical care to keep you healthy and out of the hospital. No matter where you find yourself, we can assist you to ask better questions so you can make better medical decisions.
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 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.
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 professional services we provide. Medicare will still cover, as per their regular coverage policies, any laboratory testing, imaging, referrals, medications, and durable medical equipment prescribed by our practice.
.png)



