a. What is direct primary care (DPC)?

i. Direct primary care is an innovative healthcare model that puts patients first by getting rid of the red tape that constrains traditional practices.

b. How? It’s simple: we don’t accept insurance. Instead, patients pay a monthly retainer fee for unlimited visits whether you are sick or not. This model offers better patient outcomes, greater patient satisfaction, & actually saves you money in the long run.

i. You won’t have to pay a co-pay for office visits or routine physicals. You may be able to avoid many visits altogether by sending your questions directly to us via e-mail, which is something you won’t get from a traditional practice.

ii. More importantly, since you are getting all this amazing care from us, you can cut way back on your insurance premiums. Most DPC patients find a high-deductible, low-premium insurance or health-share plan so they are covered in the case of a major health issue.

iii. Insurance is saved for emergency and specialty care.

c. What health problems does direct primary care treat?

i. We diagnose and treat a variety of common health problems, including, but not limited to the following: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, upper respiratory tract infections, UTIs, sore throats, etc.

ii. DPC also covers annual wellness visits, some preventative screenings, some in office tests, & medication refills.

a. Annual physicals
b. Pre-employment physicals
c. Sports physicals

a. What is chronic disease?       

i. Chronic disease is defined broadly as conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. Examples include diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, heart disease, depression, etc.

b. What is chronic disease management?

i. Chronic disease management is an approach to healthcare that teaches patients how to better manage their chronic diseases. Patients learn to take responsibility for understanding how to take care of themselves. They learn to avoid potential problems and exacerbations.

ii. Better control of chronic disease helps to prevent more serious complications in the future, including hospitalizations.

iii. Our unlimited visits allow us to see you more frequently in order to obtain better control over a shorter period of time.

a. What is preventative healthcare?

i. Preventative healthcare consists of measures taken for disease prevention. It uses a combination of proactive health screenings (like mammograms & PAP smears), counseling (on topics such as eating a healthy diet & regular exercise), & maintenance to prevent future illness.

b. Who can benefit from preventative healthcare?

i. Anyone who wants to lead a healthier, longer life.

ii. Preventative measures can be applied at all stages across the lifespan and along a disease spectrum to prevent further decline over time.

a. What is geriatric medicine?

i. Geriatric medicine focuses on the health care needs of the elderly. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults.

ii. It includes not just the medical needs, but also the psychological and social needs as well.

b. What services does geriatric care provide?

i. We have a range of services including, but not limited to the following: annual exams, preventative screenings, medication management, & end of life counselling.

c. What health problems does geriatric medicine treat?         

i. We regularly diagnose and treat a variety of common age-related health problems, including, but not limited to: dementia, incontinence, osteoporosis, arthritis, heart disease, balance issues, insomnia, etc.

a. What is acute medical care?

i. The diagnosis and treatment of minor medical problems such as a UTI, URI, cough, cold, sore throat, laceration repair, etc.